The negative effects of dissengaging the clutch?

[Eddy802]

Can you help me better understand why holding the clutch in is seen as mechanically unsympathetic?

I can appreciate holding the bike on an incline with clutch and generall slipping the clutch must cause wear, but if the plates aren't touching why is holding the clutch in so frowned upon.

Thanks

 

[Flaps]

I think it has to do with putting undue pressure on the clutch bearings. Although I too would like to hear a more reasoned explanantion.

 

[Greg Masters]

Simple. When you disengage the clutch, there is a bearing, the 'clutch-release' bearing, that applies considerable pressure to the clutch diaphragm to release the clutch. On some vehicles, this is just a graphite faced bearing, but usually it's a ball-bearing. This bearing can wear very quickly as it has no source of lubrication apart from the grease that was applied on assembly.

The forces imposed through the clutch release bearing are matched and countered by a force on the crankshaft end-float bearings. I don't know what they are in a boxer, but simple phosphor-bronze is common.

These two bearings cost about ten-quid to buy, but about two thousand quid to fit.

I rest my case!

Greg

 

[Dutchman]

Who said it was.........?

On cable controlled clutches there was always the risk of the cable stretching with continued extended application of the clutch.......

With hydraulic clutch activation, no such risk exists.........

As for whether it's good practice to hold a bike in gear with the clutch in for extended periods is another issue altogether......which I'm sure will get debated here at great length........

Personally I select neutral whenever I stop the bike & there isn't an immediate opportunity to move again.....such as at traffic lights etc.......but then we get into the whole area or riding technique.....

Cheers

Dutch

 

[Eddy802]

Nailed in 2!

Neutral at lights it is then.

Thanks guys.

 

[Wraithwrider]

It's not so much causing undue pressure but sustained pressure when it isn't necessary i.e. when you could be in neutral.

Not only but also: When a clutch is disengaged it is effectively, to some extent slipping, causing unnecessary wear on the plate and allowing heat to build up. Particularly if the clutch is used to hold the bike on a gradient.

This is actuially more pertinent on a multi plate clutches where clearance between plates when disengaged is smaller and heat build up can cause a clutch to drag, wear and heat up more and so on and can then make neutral selection almost impossible too.

You could argue safety, if a cable breaks or hydraulics fail at a junction you could be catapulted into the traffic flow.

And I suspose it's considered lazy too. Much of the above is somewhat pedantic!

 

[cookie]

'course if you put your bike in neutral at stops you put twice as much wear on the engagement/disengagement mechanism

i usually use neutral for long stops.

BTW has anyone had a failed release bearing lately? it used to be a common problem on rubbish old cars built 30 years ago.

 

[Paul Young]

BTW has anyone had a failed release bearing lately? it used to be a common problem on rubbish old cars built 30 years ago.

Had one pack up on my R80GS a few years ago....

 

[Steptoe]

It's sooo time consuming having to select neutral .

just think of all the other things i could be doing

 

[boundless]

Holding the clutch in for extended periods...

..will give you a beefy set of flexor muscles in your left forearm.

...these go very dandy with your olive T-shirt and will set off the hypertrophied 'tosser' forearm on the right a real treat.

 

[TerryM]

Not often these days

As the release bearing must accelerate from zero to whatever the motor is doing(rpm)instantaneously that was the issue. But good design seems to have cured it. I have seen car clutches with 100k miles on them looking very tired while the release bearing was in good shape.

 

[xpi0t0s]

There's a safety issue as well with sitting at lights in gear with the clutch in - if some twonk rear-ends you, your instinct may be to let go of the handlebars, releasing the clutch in the process and catapulting you into the side of the traffic going the other way.

 

[cookie]

There's a safety issue as well with sitting at lights in gear with the clutch in - if some twonk rear-ends you, your instinct may be to let go of the handlebars, releasing the clutch in the process and catapulting you into the side of the traffic going the other way.

but what if you see the twonk coming in your mirrors? in gear, you might get out of the way

where's me spoon?

 

[finglonga]

Re: Holding the clutch in for extended periods...

..will give you a beefy set of flexor muscles in your left forearm.

...these go very dandy with your olive T-shirt and will set off the hypertrophied 'tosser' forearm on the right a real treat.

AAAAAAHHHH I see.....

 

[MikeO]

but what if you see the twonk coming in your mirrors? in gear, you might get out of the way

where's me spoon?

Keep it in gear until the vehicle behind you has come to rest.

Mike

 

[Swesty]

I think he said LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Or just maybe he's a tosser

 

[aspad]

Agree with cookie and Mikeo - recommended for safety to keep clutch in + 1st gear selected until cars behind you have stopped safely - this is standard rider instruction practice these days..