[Bellicose42]

Short version:
I think either the engine or clutch is ceased on my bike. It won't turn over with the starter, can't turn it over by the crank, cant turn it over by the wheel while it's in gear. But the wheel won't turn while it's in gear AND the clutch is engaged?!

Long version:
De-winterized the bike last night, and when I tried to turn it over just got a bit of a turn and then an electrical whine. I thought the battery might be under charged so I let if charge more and tested it this morning to make sure it was at the right level.
Try again, nothing.
Alright, I'll boost it from the Car, nothing.
Sh!t
Check relay's and fuses, good
Check dealer code for FI, good.
WTF
Check for current leakage, 0.9mA, fine.

Perhaps I can turn it by hand, we'll see about bump starting it!
Long torque wrench on the crank access, >80FtLbs won't budge.
Oh [email protected] NO!

Get it in gear, can't turn it from the rear wheel.
Pull the clutch in, rear wheel won't spin freely.
WTF!

Question:
Anything I can do short of pulling the engine and tearing it down?
And if so what?

 

[tcl]

Sounds like your clutch plates are just stuck.

put the bike in gear and rock it back and forth.

 

[gregg-k]

Sorry to hear about this Ken. Sounds like you may have a piston ring or two rusted into the bore(s). I think the clutch not releasing is an un-related problem .. likely just the plates stuck together during storage ... like TCL suggested, pull in the clutch, put it in gear and rock the bike to un-stick the plates.

To free the engine, if I were you, I would pull a spark plug in each cylinder head, and pour in some good quality penetrating oil. Let it sit overnight, and then try your wrench on the crank nut again.

If you want a second pair of hands and eyes, I can come over to help diagnose.

Good luck!!
.. Gregg

 

[tcl]

Sorry to hear about this Ken. Sounds like you may have a piston ring or two rusted into the bore(s).

If I were you, I would pull a plug in each cylinder head and pour in some good quality penetrating oil.

Good luck!!
.. Gregg

If the engine was siezed, he'd be able to turn the rear wheel with the clutch pulled in.

 

[gregg-k]

If the engine was siezed, he'd be able to turn the rear wheel with the clutch pulled in.

Not if the clutch plates were stuck together (from sitting), and would not release. It's a pretty common problem.

... Gregg

 

[tcl]

Not if the clutch plates were stuck together (from sitting), and would not release. It's a pretty common problem.

... Gregg

Right, that's what I already suggested. Clutch is not exactly par tof the engine. Stuck plates is not a seized engine. If the rings rusted to the cylinder, pulling the clutch in would let the wheel spin. The only thing that would not let the wheel spin is stuck clutch plates or broken release mechanism.

 

[gregg-k]

Right, that's what I already suggested. Clutch is not exactly par tof the engine. Stuck plates is not a seized engine. If the rings rusted to the cylinder, pulling the clutch in would let the wheel spin. The only thing that would not let the wheel spin is stuck clutch plates or broken release mechanism.

TCL, I think we're agreed that the clutch plates are stuck together ... regardless of that though, what do you think is keeping the rear wheel from spinning? If the engine is seized, pulling in the clutch would only allow the wheel to spin if the clutch were releasing ... which it is not.

Ken, does the rear wheel spin freely with the gearbox in neutral?

.. Gregg

 

[tcl]

I think we're agreed that the clutch plates are stuck together ... so that being the case, what do you think is keeping the rear wheel from spinning?

.. Gregg

Engine compression.

 

[Bellicose42]

W00T

Thanks guys it was just the cluch plate, I was expecting to have to take it apart, but he rocking it worked, now to take it out an burn off the stabil.

Sorry for the freak out.

 

[tcl]

W00T

Thanks guys it was just the cluch plate, I was expecting to have to take it apart, but he rocking it worked, now to take it out an burn off the stabil.

Sorry for the freak out.

Change your oil too.

 

[gregg-k]

W00T

Thanks guys it was just the cluch plate, I was expecting to have to take it apart, but he rocking it worked, now to take it out an burn off the stabil.

Sorry for the freak out.

What influenced my line of thinking is the 80 pounds of torque you put on the crank without being able to turn it over. Also, your starter wouldn't turn it over, even with a car battery. Stuck clutch plates would have no effect on any of that.

I suspect that rocking the bike in gear did two things: it broke the rings free, as well as un-sticking the clutch plates.

Glad things worked out!

. Gregg

 

[Bellicose42]

Thanks again guys.

No worries TCL I changed the oil last night as part of getting it ready.

So this fall I'll fog the cylinders a little more liberally than last year, is there any way to avoid the issue with the clutch plates? It was only sitting for less then 4 months with the crank FULL of new oil.

 

[gregg-k]

<<SNIPP>>

So this fall I'll fog the cylinders a little more liberally than last year, is there any way to avoid the issue with the clutch plates? It was only sitting for less then 4 months with the crank FULL of new oil.

I don't know of any ... it's a very common problem. I guess its not a problem when the climate allows for year round riding!

Just had a thought! Buy one of those trick plastic window clutch covers. Then you can remove the window and slacken the springs off in the Fall ... what more justification does your fiance need?

... Gregg

 

[Oh My Sack!]

What type of engine oil did you use last fall?

Synthetic or non synthetic?