Neutral Selection

10 litres of oil? are you sure, that sounds a lot to me,my car only has about 5 litres in it. I dont know about my bike, I dont service it myself these days

edit, just looked up 1050 speedie and they take 3.5 litres so yours is probably something around that

 

Like others I am amazed you could get that much oil in the thing!

Apologies if I am teaching granny to suck eggs but how mechanically minded are you? Unlike a car your oil lubricates engine and gearbox and the clutch sits with the bottom 30% or so dipped into the oil. Wet clutches have multiple plates - a mix of friction plates and plain steel like a double cheeseburger!

It is normal for there to be some drag in the mechanism i.e. a very slight grip when you pull the lever in. This is due to the oil sticking the plates together somewhat as they spin through the oil bath. It lessens as the engine warms and the oil thins to its working temperature. It explains the clunk when you engage 1st.

I cannot think why 'soaking' the clutch would make a blind bit of difference except on brand new plates. If you have selection issues it is down to clutch adjustment (common) or mechanical issues like a bent selector or warped clutch (less common). Maybe you unknowingly bought a bike with 'issues'?

You will damage an engine by running it overfull with blown seals and excessive crankcase pressures. Can I suggest you get that manual pronto? Adjust your clutch to spec and likewise the correct spec and volume of oil. Then if you still have selection problems describe the symptoms on here.

 

Yeah - agree with the above!

 

Lot of people not reading properly
Chuk says he drained the 10ltrs then filled up to the correct level

 

Soaking plates is a bit of an internet myth and normally associated with aftermarket suppliers avoiding warranty claims from diy bodgers who inadvertently seize the clutch There IS a potential issue with kevlar racing plates which seem to be fussy about running in synthetic oils and which are more hassle than road use warrants unless (sticks neck out) you are a pub bore!
The clutch basket gets plenty of splash lubrication once running but on its sidestand is part submerged. The excess gets thrown off once you start up. Assembling a new clutch should not require more than oiling the steel plates (not the friction plates) to prevent any corrosion/seizure before first start up.

 

He seemed vague on sump capacity!

 

Whatever the ins and outs of this method it appears to have worked for chuk
Who knows?....the problem might come back but this seems to have been an easy fix for him

 

Well keep us posted if problems re-surface. Out of interest which oil have you used?

 

I must put my hands up because I was forgetting your clutch is on the right....
My working suspicion is that bikes over-wintered on a sidestand will see their clutches dry out and with condensation forming on the plates you may well get clutch drag that will inhibit gear selection.
Less effort to cant it well to the right and turn it over a few times on the starter with plugs lead detached!?

 

Hi guys.

Prior to buying a bonneville recently I've spent the last 6 years on a tiger forum.

This clutch issue was quite common on the 1050's. Especially back in 2008 when triumph released a batch of bikes where the clutches hadn't been oiled at all.

Filling the engine with oil and lowering the bike over is a good quick fix. Zip tying the clutch lever down helped the process even more.

Hope it works for you chuk.

 

Yes, you've got it. Zip tie the lever while pulled back to the bars. Keeps the plates separated while they soak in the oil bath.