01 R1 - I think my clutch went

[Banger]

I just bought Dean Platter's old R1. Bike's engine has maybe 1500km on it, if that.

Yesterday I took it to the drag strip to see how it would do. I took it easy and didn't launch it but things went wrong right from the get go.

First, as I let out the clutch, the bike clicks loudly. It sounds like it comes from behind me. It jerks the bike forward a few times until I release the clutch a but and all is well.

Second, The bike has a very hard time finding neutral now. I couldn't even get it in gear some times.

Another issue. At high speeds, the front tire wobbles. It's scare. It could be I am out of the track groove. I fiddled with my tire pressure a bite. Could there be a tiny bend or perhaps the wheel needs to be balanced again?

Anyone busy this week? I have a spare clutch Dean gave me. I know enough about doing the work myself but I really don't want to mess it up. I want to be ready for next weekend since it's my last.
Thanks!

Elise

[reciprocity]

Is the slipper clutch still in it??

[Banger]

Is the slipper clutch still in it??

I have never had a bike with a slipper clutch so I don't know how it would feel. I am aware of what they do. Would this be the result of my issue?

[reciprocity]

its possible.

why are you wasting your time asking people who know nothing about the bike or its configuration how to fix it.

Dean is a pretty reasonable guy, I'm sure if you called him and asked the same questions he'd be more than happy to give you a few suggestions.

anyone on this site will only be guessing at possible causes and solutions, which usually leads to more problems.

[Banger]

its possible.

why are you wasting your time asking people who know nothing about the bike or its configuration how to fix it.

Dean is a pretty reasonable guy, I'm sure if you called him and asked the same questions he'd be more than happy to give you a few suggestions.

anyone on this site will only be guessing at possible causes and solutions, which usually leads to more problems.

Way ahead of you. I sent him an e mail first thing. Are you saying YOU are not sure?

[reciprocity]

how could I, or anyone else be SURE of the problem.

I haven't ridden the bike, I don't know anything about the parts being used, I wasn't there to hear/see the problem.

so you've sent an email to the previous owner, but you're asking here?

Why? to see if he's telling the truth?

[twinn]

Recip is right, no one here can tell you what the problem is for certain without seeing the bike.

1500km and a clutch? thats the part that does not sound right. Im pretty sure that you could do a ton of burnouts and your clutch would still be good after such low miles.

Replacing it is easy, 1-2 hour job max.

[Banger]

how could I, or anyone else be SURE of the problem.

I haven't ridden the bike, I don't know anything about the parts being used, I wasn't there to hear/see the problem.

so you've sent an email to the previous owner, but you're asking here?

Why? to see if he's telling the truth?

This is starting to feel like my old interrogation briefings....

I sent a message to the old owner to see if there were things I should be aware of before I start pushing the bike harder. Things I forgot to ask when I purchased it.

I just thought some one might now what this is. Maybe it's a very common thing and I am too inexperienced to really know.

Maybe I was looking for some advice of what to do next.

[JohnnyP636]

how could I, or anyone else be SURE of the problem.

I haven't ridden the bike, I don't know anything about the parts being used, I wasn't there to hear/see the problem.

so you've sent an email to the previous owner, but you're asking here?

Why? to see if he's telling the truth?

Impatient? Wants to ride now, etc ?

I hate waiting for answers too

[Banger]

Impatient? Wants to ride now, etc ?

I hate waiting for answers too

That too. Time is not on my side.

[mma01]

Out of curiousity what did you run and what did you trap?

[Banger]

Out of curiousity what did you run and what did you trap?

The bike ran 11.982 at 125.3 MPH. Like I said, I wasn't launching hard and I shifted lower than usual.

[reciprocity]

is the slipper clutch still in the bike???

have you adjusted the steering damper?

what rearsets are on the bike, this was a the previous owner probably spent a lot of time setting it up to avoid false neutrals, try rolling it back while in gear until it stops then try to find neutral.

[Banger]

is the slipper clutch still in the bike???

have you adjusted the steering damper?

what rearsets are on the bike, this was a the previous owner probably spent a lot of time setting it up to avoid false neutrals, try rolling it back while in gear until it stops then try to find neutral.

No slipper clutch. He sold it.

I tightened up the damper. The other drag racer on the forum agrees it could be the track so I tightened the damper. This weekend I'll see.

I will do the roll back. Thanks Donny

Dean is being helpful too.

[reciprocity]

Stick with Dean's advice, he knows the bike.

[DaveP]

...

[frekeyguy]

What do you expect? its a used bike? you shouldn't taken it out for a test run prior to purchase?

Also, just take the bike apart and figure out what's causing these issues.

The issues described here are vague, and are hard to diagnose, unless someone rides the bike/takes it apart, its hard to narrow down why things are happening.

[Banger]

F it.... sorry to even ask.....

[Freestyle72]

F it.... sorry to even ask.....

Nah don't be sorry. I would have asked too. I dunno what the big deal is.

[frekeyguy]

F it.... sorry to even ask.....

sorry, nothing aganist you.

its just that what would you expect from a used drag bike? it to work 110% the first pass you do on it when you've owned it? Realistically its not possible.

Its a drag bike, take it apart and look at it, spend 2-3 hours and you'll figure out the clutch issue.

The suspension issue, maybe its just weight related? how much do you weigh vs. the previous owner? how is the ride height setup?

if you need help, feel free to swing by ill be more than happy to lend a hand.