Surging Clutch???

[BeoBob]

Just got this 2011 Victory Cross Country a few weeks ago. This is my fourth bike in the last 5 years and I have got about 1,000 miles on it already. Had the 500 mile service done Monday. Just yesterday I noticed a potential problem and spent half an hour in stop-n-go traffic yesterday playing with it.

When I let the clutch out just a bit trying to use the friction zone to creep at low speed I get a surge of acceleration and then a dead spot where the engine spins without producing forward movement, then I will get another surge of power. This is not me being unsteady on the clutch and it is not drive train lash either. It feels more like the reverse of a warped brake rotor. It is related to the movement of the bike (wheel rotation) and not related to RPM (at least below 2K). If the bike is rolling faster the pulses are closer together, if the bike is moving slower they are further apart. The problem is way bad when the bike has not fully warmed up, but it is still there when it’s hot too.

On normal acceleration from a stop and shifting between gears it feels fine. I only experience it when using the “friction zone” at low speeds.

No apparent drag, brakes aren’t making any noise, clutch seems to be adjusted properly, oil is full.

Any ideas????

[BBob]

I'd check the drive belt tension and alignment.

[visionjohnny]

It might be cause the clutch is just starting to brake in. I would go back to the dealer and talk it over with him.
If he hive you the BS thats the way they are ask to take a demo out and see if it does the same thing and if it doesn't ask him to explain why one doe and the other doesn't.
Go to our tech section and see if you can find something there.

[BeoBob]

Belt is a tad loose. I know what drive line slack is, and this ain't it.

[Donzo]

My XR does this also when the motor is cold - surging, grab/release etc. as soon as it warms up all is well. Prob has to do with oil getting thru all the clutch plates.
This problem while warm may be a clutch needing adjustment.

[BeoBob]

Ok, I played with it a bit more last night. Bike fully warm, sitting still on flat concrete driveway, engine at idle… I let the clutch out just a bit until the bike just starts to move forward… while slightly resisting forward movement with my legs and making sure to keep the clutch lever is perfectly still… the bike will move forward a couple of feet and then it’s like I pulled the clutch in (but I didn’t)… no more go. If I push the bike back with my legs I hit the spot where the clutch starts to engage again and I can sit there and rock against that spot as if I was working the clutch (but I’m not). If I push the bike forward a few more feet I hit the spot where the clutch engages again and the bike starts to move forward under its own power for a couple of feet and the no power again.

I repeated the same test on the trusty Kawasaki VN900 and it does not exhibit this problem at all… smooth as silk.

Sooo…. it seems like something associated with the clutch is bent or warped or something. I hate to take it to the dealer… they are like 100 miles away and all they are going to say is the bike isn’t even broken in yet.

I think I’m going to just ride the snot out of it for now… unless it gets worse.

[BBob]

Is there any slack in the clutch cable? Feel it down at the arm where it goes into the primary.

[ashmostro]

what oil did the tech use at the 500 mile service?

[BeoBob]

I assume Victory oil.

[BeoBob]

There is a little play, but not much.