Motorcycle Repair: clutch sticking?, suzuki ts185, clutch plates

Question
Chris,
I have a question regarding a 1974 Suzuki TS185 that I am fixing up.

I haven't got it running yet(the petcock I ordered hasn't arrived yet), but I have been coasting it around little, and that's when I noticed the problem.

When coasting in neutral, sometimes I would pull in the clutch and shift into 1st gear, but whenever I do that, it sort of acts like it's in gear.

Obviously it not totally in gear or it wouldn't roll, but from what I can tell the clutch is not completely disengaging like it should.
Is this because the clutch plates are sticking?
Or is it because the cable needs adjusting, or is there a easy way to find out?

I fiddled with the cable adjusters, and I think that it's pulling it as far as it goes, so I was thinking maybe the clutch plates were sticking.

If it is the clutch plates sticking what should I do, and how do I properly adjust the cable if that's causing the problem?

Thanks


Answer
Hi Peter.
 What you are asking, based on what you've told me, is pretty difficult to say for certain.

If you haven't adjusted the cable, then do so.

 If that does not fix the problem, then refer to the manual and pull the clutch plates and springs and see if they are within specs.

If adjustment didn't fix your problem, then you will likely find the problem in the clutchbasket assembly (plates, springs, or both).  In which case you get a rebuild kit and fix it.

Good luck.
FALCON