Clutch trouble overnight

[japcrap]

Hello everyone.
New to the site and to motorcycle ownership. Finally at 56 decided to buy a bike and leave the collector car market to the wealthy. Anyway got my hands on a 1979 Goldwing with a custom cafe racer look. Everything was great day 1, day two having a clutch issue. Bike no longer shows a neutral light and will roll back and forth when I find it but wont start in neutral now without pulling in the clutch. So I assume the clutch must be partially engaged? .Also when I take off everything seems fine but when the clutch gets completely released it starts rattling like an old washing machine and would die if I didnt pull the clutch back in. Is this just a free play issue ?, If so do I go more or less?
If its a stupid question forgive me, its my first two days with a bike , so I still try to explain like a car. Thanks for any help

[Whiskerfish]

First question is what oil are you running. These transmissions and clutches share the engine oil and not all are compatible.

On the rattle when taking off what rpm are you at? These are not real torquey engines and like a bit of rpm. Generally about 2500-3000 is a nice sedate start from a stop.

[japcrap]

Thanks Whiskerfish, not 100% sure what oil its using, like I said I just picked it up yesterday. The rattle is serious, not a low RPM issue, Yesterday no problem, today if clutch is all the way out it dies , ride the clutch half way and you can move it around. Pretty clunky getting into gear now too.

[japcrap]

The PO believes its just a clutch cable adjustment, Does this sound possible?. Nothing has been messed with since working perfectly

[ritalz]

The next best thing to do is put your location in your profile. There could easily be a member within a quick ride who could give you tons of help. Read the new to me posts in the tech forums for more info. And remember, we like pictures.

[desertrefugee]

Seems to me that once it's in gear, it's in there. Should be no rattling. I don't see how an adjustment would create or relieve a "serious" rattle. For sure, it wouldn't hurt to go through an adjustment verification. Something could have slipped - but the noise puzzles me. Something ain't right.

[japcrap]

The next best thing to do is put your location in your profile. There could easily be a member within a quick ride who could give you tons of help. Read the new to me posts in the tech forums for more info. And remember, we like pictures.

Thanks Ritalz, I put Nova Scotia but I guess a little more specific would be better. Tried to put the bike as my avatar but the size isnt right and I am not to techy with the computer. Wish I could put up a photo but cant seem to get one on this post either.

[japcrap]

Seems to me that once it's in gear, it's in there. Should be no rattling. I don't see how an adjustment would create or relieve a "serious" rattle. For sure, it wouldn't hurt to go through an adjustment verification. Something could have slipped - but the noise puzzles me. Something ain't right.

Yep I hear what your saying and thought the same thing. Just figured as I have never worked on bikes maybe there was something I just wasnt understanding. Took the cap off the clutch cable attachment point and everything seems fine there.

[CYBORG]

I will GUESS that the carbs need syncing, and the primary chain is rattling

[Track T 2411]

+1 on the primary chain rattle, which can be a combination of carb sync, too low RPM's at take-off, oil, etc.

[desertrefugee]

I wouldn't think a carb sync issue would develop overnight, but I guess a jam nut could have been loose. Stranger things have happened.

[ericheath]

"today if clutch is all the way out it dies" That sounds like more than synch or primary chain rattle. Yes?

I'm voting to drain and strain the oil through cheesecloth or the like and see if there are any metallic evidences.

The neutral switch is in the oil and carbon buildup eventually is enough to keep it on all the time. A simple non-permanent fix is to blast the switch with a pretty good shot of 12volts. However, when this fails, the light is on all the time. Yours is off. Metal pieces could do the same. The neutral light also runs through a diode. Someone else here can clarify this, but if it isn't working, you have to pull the clutch in to start it. (Edit: just looking at wiring diagram and I don't see the diodes on 78-79 models.) Since it isn't coming on at all, it could also be the bulb or the wire that goes down between the right head and timing belt cover could be disconnected.

Have you checked fuses?

Sorry your first one is turning out like this. Close to 40 years old. Crap happens. In the long run, this will be good as you'll get to know your bike.

[OhioBill]

I'm going to offer a wild guess, One or more of the ears on the clutch pressure plate has broken off. Years ago I had this happen but don't recall what the symptoms that lead me to find the problem. Hope I'm wrong but what you describe might be caused by a broken pressure plate.

[tlbranth]

My guess - neutral switch not working (easy to test), carbs need synching and/or rebuilding (rattle).

[ritalz]

Nova Scotia is a little far for me but there are members in your area. For your avatar, import a picture to pcpaint and resize smaller. May have to resize a couple of times to get it right. Try that and then we can see about adding pictures to a post. There have been several threads on posting pictures.