Help! Clutch cable adjustment or something bigger......

[jazzgrrl]

Hi there, just purchased a 1999 GZ250 and am a newbie. Love this site....maybe someone can give me some advice?



Bike will not start. Turns over but won't catch. Started at the PO's place the night I bought it, and only a few times since. Clutch lever is very stiff, I wonder if when it was tied down at that point in the truck it became misaligned?....also, when trying to start in gear, bike tries to lunge even when clutch is fully disengaged.

Clutch cable adjustment?.... or is it bigger than that - as in a internal clutch problem?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated - I've had her a week and have yet to ride her!!!!
:(


http://www.postimage.org/PqE32Gi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqE32Gi)

http://www.postimage.org/aVoMNBJ.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVoMNBJ)

[JWR]

Work the clutch lever, notice where the cable moves at the engine location.

Pull the lever in, see if you can move the the engine end of the cable some more with your other hand.

Sounds like you are not getting full release from the clutch.

Adjustment is under the black rubber at the lever.

Download the owners manual and look at the pictures.

This should get you started....

Jerry

[thepaintbox]

A bike that age (and the GZs see a lot of beginners, like myself) might need a new clutch. This isn't the worst possible thing to have happen to you. Just drain the oil and give the clutch a look...i don't know what you'd be looking for, but Google would.

[Water Warrior 2]

Cure the lunging forward by putting the tranny in neutral. There is always some clutch plate drag especially with a cold engine and tranny. The starter is actually trying to move the bike when in gear. It should spin over a little quicker too.

[Easy Rider]

Cure the lunging forward by putting the tranny in neutral. There is always some clutch plate drag especially with a cold engine and tranny. The starter is actually trying to move the bike when in gear. It should spin over a little quicker too.

My $.03.......

Be sure the battery is charged up fully.

You should NOT be trying to start it in gear.....unless you have stalled it on the road.
I thought that mine insisted on me being in neutral AND clutch pulled in....if the side stand was still down.

You are using the choke and NOT opening the throttle, right? About 1/2 choke is usually enough.

You might have too much slack in the clutch cable and/or a stretched cable.

Once you get it running again, a little carb. cleaner in the gas would probably be a good idea.

Over all, it might be worth your money to have a Suzuki dealer look the whole thing over.

My guess is that some minor adjustments and "technique" changes are all that is needed; a worn out clutch is doubtful at this point.

Good luck!!

P.S. I found even though my GZ was only 2 years old, that a good dose of cable lube made a HUGE difference in the clutch effort required.

[thepaintbox]

Bike will not start. Turns over but won't catch. Started at the PO's place the night I bought it, and only a few times since...also, when trying to start in gear, bike tries to lunge even when clutch is fully disengaged.

This is a little ambiguous...will it idle in neutral? If it will, and yr only issue is it bucking and stalling into first, you have a slipping or not engaging clutch.

If it isn't starting in neutral, we have much bigger issues.

One thing is that the starter won't crank unless the clutch is depressed. If the starter is turning, this isn't the issue, but with all the clutch issues it might be worth mentioning.

[Water Warrior 2]

Bike will not start. Turns over but won't catch. Started at the PO's place the night I bought it, and only a few times since...also, when trying to start in gear, bike tries to lunge even when clutch is fully disengaged.

This is a little ambiguous...will it idle in neutral? If it will, and yr only issue is it bucking and stalling into first, you have a slipping or not engaging clutch.

If it isn't starting in neutral, we have much bigger issues.

One thing is that the starter won't crank unless the clutch is depressed. If the starter is turning, this isn't the issue, but with all the clutch issues it might be worth mentioning.

No it will not idle in neutral because it will not start.

[jazzgrrl]

The mystery continues....still won't start...

Bike in neutral, kickstand down, fuel on, choke open, pull in clutch fully, all basic stuff is being done.
I took a good look at the clutch cable at the handlebars and the engine and according to the manual they are fine.
Checked plug for spark, all good.
Tried to push start in alley....would juuuust start , then dies immediately when the clutch is let out.
I'm at a loss.....and the shop won't be able to look for a week! Guess I have time to PUSH it there:)

Thank you all for your suggestions

[Sarris]

A GZ won't run if the battery is low. It may turn over, but I doesn't have enough juice to keep the ignitor firing.

I would suggest a jump start and see if she'll run while being jumped. If so... it's battery time.

Just another worthless opinion.

:whistle:

[Easy Rider]

choke open,

then dies immediately when the clutch is let out.


When describing a problem it is important to convey the RIGHT information, for instance:

When a choke is operated, it is closed, not open. Are you operating the choke? If so, how much? You should try it fully operated for a few seconds and then back to about half.

I assume with the push starting you mean that it dies when the clutch is pulled IN......???

+1 on what Sarris said about the battery.

And one final point that I don't think has been covered: Put the petcock lever to PRIme for about 10 minutes and then try to start; that's what the prime setting is for.....to be sure fuel is getting to the carbs after sitting for a while not running.

[jazzgrrl]

I figured it might be a low battery first thing - I replaced it with a brand new one days ago. Its also on trickle charge so its fresh after trying all these starts. Yes, I am operating the choke, the kickstand, the kill switch etc.
Sorry if my info is not right for you, as I said at the beginning I am new at this and only trying my best. This whole experience is making me wish I didn't take the safety course and instead dump my money into a sportscar that STARTS!

Sorry - very frustrated newbie.

[Easy Rider]

Sorry if my info is not right for you, as I said at the beginning I am new at this and only trying my best.

Not trying to be critical; just trying to help. Sometimes clarification is needed.

Judging by your series of messages, I must ask WHY you continue to frustrate yourself and just don't take it to a mechanic to get it fixed ?? In the long run, it might even be cheaper.

"We" don't seem to be making much progress.
Not everybody is cut out to be a mechanic. :)

[jazzgrrl]

Thanks, I understand - but when you pay $1600 for a bike and it works like a charm when the PO is around, I am reluctant to spend $$$ on a mechanic shop when I have no means to get it there, and it started fine a few days ago. It must be something simple. I already spoke to a mechanic who said he can't look at it for at least another week, and also said its probably something simple and was reluctant to even BOOK ME IN! (ON that note, if anyone who reasd this is in Edmonton and can recommend a great mechanic, please do!) So diving into the manual I go, trying to find what 'simple' thing could be doing this. Someone told me it's because 'Mercury is in retrograde and it screws up electronics'.....lol.....maybe I'll tell that to the bike mechanic (and get kicked out the door!!)


Oh well, better to laugh than cry right? Next course I take is small engine repair....can't wait! Then I can try to help newbies that come after me, thanks to this forum. I won't tell them about mercury in retrograde:)

Anyhow - thanks again to all, when its running I will post a happy note:)

[Water Warrior 2]

Jazzgrrl, any chance you can get the previous owner to come over and start the bike ? You may be missing something very simple and not readily coming to mind. Just ask him/her to go through the starting procedure in an actual hands on situation. The bike did run so it should run again with the right procedure. Just a thought here. The choke(enrichener) is off when pushed forward and engaged when pulled toward you while you are on the bike. I don't think anyone mentioned that yet. Also try a wee bit off throttle while trying to start it.

[jazzgrrl]

PO came over again last night and tried his best to get it going - no dice, so he suggested I bring it back to his house so he can put it on a stand to troubleshoot it. I am very lucky the people I bought this from (through the classifieds) are so accomodating and honest! I am hopeful that soon I will be on the road thanks to them. I'll post what the issue was when I know for others to learn from. Cheers!

[Easy Rider]

I am very lucky the people I bought this from (through the classifieds) are so accomodating and honest!

Canadians are often like that.....eh? :biggrin:

[jazzgrrl]

Yay! All it took was a new spark plug! Lesson learned, seeing A spark doesn't mean it's ENOUGH spark. Got my first ride since I brought it home 10 days ago - sweet little bike!! Good news is we did a thorough check of everything in the process and all is well. Now that she's finally breathing I can name her...Sparky the Suzuki?..lol.
Thanks for all your suggestions!

[New GZ250]

Looks like it was covered under it's warranty by the previous owner. He is one in a million to help you out! Super to hear you have a smile on your face, as I was following your post. (One of the most entertaining on the site since I have been a member!) :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Cool, now you can enjoy owning AND riding your bike. Did you learn a bit about bike maintenance while trouble shooting ? Hope you got some actual hands on time just for good measure. Ah...........the bike the bike. lol.

[Red_bike]

Sparky the Suzuki is a fitting name for her after that little problem.

Duck

[jazzgrrl]

Got some great experience - thats the silver lining I guess.....the PO took the gas tank off and showed me how everything should be underneath...we ended up troubleshooting a ton of stuff not knowing the spark we saw wasn't 'enough'....all good experience, and thank god a happy ending.:)