1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
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1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Hi,
Recently picked up a 1994 Vs1400 project bike. Hasn't run in a long time.
Starting a couple of days ago the bike is no longer able to roll.
The neutral light doesn't work and I'm not sure if it's in neutral or any gear. Shifting seems to go only between first and second gear.
It's not the brakes. The rear brake is off. The problem persists if the front brake is removed.
After this problem started, the clutch master/slave cylinder has been bled. No improvement.
It feels internal - possibly clutch, transmission or final drive.
Drained the oil. No metal parts/pieces in the oil.
Going to check the clutch plates/housing - maybe there's something in there.
Anyone else have this issue?
Anything else I should check?
Thank you,
Maurice
Recently picked up a 1994 Vs1400 project bike. Hasn't run in a long time.
Starting a couple of days ago the bike is no longer able to roll.
The neutral light doesn't work and I'm not sure if it's in neutral or any gear. Shifting seems to go only between first and second gear.
It's not the brakes. The rear brake is off. The problem persists if the front brake is removed.
After this problem started, the clutch master/slave cylinder has been bled. No improvement.
It feels internal - possibly clutch, transmission or final drive.
Drained the oil. No metal parts/pieces in the oil.
Going to check the clutch plates/housing - maybe there's something in there.
Anyone else have this issue?
Anything else I should check?
Thank you,
Maurice
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
After reading what you post as symptoms and that it has sat for a long time,...I'm guessing you might have a Stuck Clutch Pack.
Assuming the Clutch Hydraulic System bleed makes the Clutch Release workings is fine, it is probably best to go with your Diagnosis and into the Clutch itself and see what you find.
Assuming the Clutch Hydraulic System bleed makes the Clutch Release workings is fine, it is probably best to go with your Diagnosis and into the Clutch itself and see what you find.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Thanks Designer
- hillsy
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
You might very well have stuck clutch plates - but that is not the problem here.
It is a gearbox / shifter issue if you cant find neutral. The clutch has no bearing on this.
Are you sure you have it in first gear? Maybe you are trying to shift between higher gears? If you can lift the bike and have the rear wheel off the ground then it's easier to rock the wheel back and forth and run through the gears by hand.
Another possibility is the final drive has locked - if you try and roll the bike against the resistance can you get the engine to turn even slightly?
It is a gearbox / shifter issue if you cant find neutral. The clutch has no bearing on this.
Are you sure you have it in first gear? Maybe you are trying to shift between higher gears? If you can lift the bike and have the rear wheel off the ground then it's easier to rock the wheel back and forth and run through the gears by hand.
Another possibility is the final drive has locked - if you try and roll the bike against the resistance can you get the engine to turn even slightly?
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
You mentioned that the clutch master/slave cylinder has been bled, but did you change the fluid completely?
If you have any type of electrical issue, have your battery load tested before you do anything else. Any auto parts store will test it for free.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Good point there, I assumed that was what he did. Your focus is spot on.
It is foundational to have a Free Moving, Properly Operational Clutch that Releases/Operates as it should. After that is confirmed, other problems may/may not appear. Not getting it to shift gears very well could be a Gear Shifting Linkage issue(s).
- hillsy
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Guys - he can't find neutral - it has nothing to do with the clutch.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
He said it hasn't run in a long time, that could be 10 months or 10 years. If the fluid is to old there will not be enough pressure to engage the clutch properly. Mine was having trouble finding neutral and it was because it had air in the line due to a bad seal at the master cylinder. But it would still go between gears no issue. A master cylinder rebuild kit and new fluid solved the issue.
If you have any type of electrical issue, have your battery load tested before you do anything else. Any auto parts store will test it for free.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Another point.
Start with the simple things first and work your way to the hard stuff as you go.
Example,
Won't turn over, do you....
a. Tear the engine down.
b. Check the battery and battery connections.
c. Make sure the kill switch is not activated.
Start with the simple things first and work your way to the hard stuff as you go.
Example,
Won't turn over, do you....
a. Tear the engine down.
b. Check the battery and battery connections.
c. Make sure the kill switch is not activated.
If you have any type of electrical issue, have your battery load tested before you do anything else. Any auto parts store will test it for free.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Are you talking about finding neutral while the bike is running?sgtcall wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:27 pmHe said it hasn't run in a long time, that could be 10 months or 10 years. If the fluid is to old there will not be enough pressure to engage the clutch properly. Mine was having trouble finding neutral and it was because it had air in the line due to a bad seal at the master cylinder. But it would still go between gears no issue. A master cylinder rebuild kit and new fluid solved the issue.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Running or not finding neutral when the clutch had no pressure was a PIA.hillsy wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:36 pmAre you talking about finding neutral while the bike is running?sgtcall wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:27 pmHe said it hasn't run in a long time, that could be 10 months or 10 years. If the fluid is to old there will not be enough pressure to engage the clutch properly. Mine was having trouble finding neutral and it was because it had air in the line due to a bad seal at the master cylinder. But it would still go between gears no issue. A master cylinder rebuild kit and new fluid solved the issue.
If you have any type of electrical issue, have your battery load tested before you do anything else. Any auto parts store will test it for free.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
You should be able to find neutral easily if the bike is not running regardless of whether the clutch pack is stuck or not. There is no pressure on the gear train when the bike is not running - although you might need to "rock" the back wheel to allow the shift forks to release.sgtcall wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:48 pmRunning or not finding neutral when the clutch had no pressure was a PIA.hillsy wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:36 pmAre you talking about finding neutral while the bike is running?sgtcall wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:27 pmHe said it hasn't run in a long time, that could be 10 months or 10 years. If the fluid is to old there will not be enough pressure to engage the clutch properly. Mine was having trouble finding neutral and it was because it had air in the line due to a bad seal at the master cylinder. But it would still go between gears no issue. A master cylinder rebuild kit and new fluid solved the issue.
Engaging or disengaging the clutch when the bike is NOT running will have no effect on shifting gears.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Hi,
couple of clarifications.
clutch fluid was flushed and replaced with new fluid.
This bike hasn't run in at least 5 years.
The only electrics working are the headlight, horn & turn signals.
39,xxx miles.
It did roll from the PO's garage to the trailer and from the trailer to it's current home.
I'm going to start with the clutch system because it can be done with the engine still in the bike.
thanks for the help,
Maurice
couple of clarifications.
clutch fluid was flushed and replaced with new fluid.
This bike hasn't run in at least 5 years.
The only electrics working are the headlight, horn & turn signals.
39,xxx miles.
It did roll from the PO's garage to the trailer and from the trailer to it's current home.
I'm going to start with the clutch system because it can be done with the engine still in the bike.
thanks for the help,
Maurice
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
You are most Welcome, Maurice.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Fri Apr 01, 2022 3:43 amHi, couple of clarifications.
clutch fluid was flushed and replaced with new fluid.
This bike hasn't run in at least 5 years.
The only electrics working are the headlight, horn & turn signals.
39,xxx miles.
It did roll from the PO's garage to the trailer and from the trailer to it's current home.
I'm going to start with the clutch system because it can be done with the engine still in the bike.
thanks for the help, Maurice
And thanks loads for the additional information. The more we know, the better will be our help to you.
Best to check the Linkage next.
We will await your Updates. Hope all goes well.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Is your bike a 4 speed transmission?
I can't seem to win the lottery. I think I have used up all of my good luck riding motorcycles.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Hi
It’s a four speed
The problem is half solved.
Lubed up the gear shifter. Now it moves through first , neutral and second.
It rolls when in neutral, however does not roll when in gear and the clutch lever pulled in.
Continuing on with plan A. Opening up the clutch and checking out the plates as well as the other components.
Your help is appreciated.
Thank you
Maurice
It’s a four speed
The problem is half solved.
Lubed up the gear shifter. Now it moves through first , neutral and second.
It rolls when in neutral, however does not roll when in gear and the clutch lever pulled in.
Continuing on with plan A. Opening up the clutch and checking out the plates as well as the other components.
Your help is appreciated.
Thank you
Maurice
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Very Good News! Much as I had thought, the shifting problem would have been lack of lube in the linkage.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 amThe problem is half solved.
Lubed up the gear shifter. Now it moves through first , neutral and second.
It rolls when in neutral, however does not roll when in gear and the clutch lever pulled in.
Good call,...now let's get to what was suggested a few days ago and take care of that. Having a Fully Functional Clutch will mean you will always be able to make it roll, which was your first-stated issue of concern.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 amContinuing on with plan A. Opening up the clutch and checking out the plates as well as the other components. Your help is appreciated. Thank you Maurice
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13605&start=1
I'm wanting to get you Back On The Road Again.
- hillsy
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
This is pretty much normal for a bike that has been sitting - some bikes will act like this even from sitting overnight.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 am
It rolls when in neutral, however does not roll when in gear and the clutch lever pulled in.
Glad you found the problem - there is no way the clutch being locked would have stopped you from finding neutral.
You are probably best off pulling the clutch plates out and cleaning them if the bike has sat for 5 years. Always put a layer of fresh engine oil between the cleaned plates before you re-assemble (IE: never re-pack them dry).
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
My bike is hard to move when in gear and cold. It eve cranks hard when starting cold, in gear. With cold oil the clutch drags...Designer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:33 amVery Good News! Much as I had thought, the shifting problem would have been lack of lube in the linkage.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 amThe problem is half solved.
Lubed up the gear shifter. Now it moves through first , neutral and second.
It rolls when in neutral, however does not roll when in gear and the clutch lever pulled in.
Good call,...now let's get to what was suggested a few days ago and take care of that. Having a Fully Functional Clutch will mean you will always be able to make it roll, which was your first-stated issue of concern.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 amContinuing on with plan A. Opening up the clutch and checking out the plates as well as the other components. Your help is appreciated. Thank you Maurice
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13605&start=1
I'm wanting to get you Back On The Road Again.
Just about every bike I have owned the clutch would drag when the oil was cold.
I can't seem to win the lottery. I think I have used up all of my good luck riding motorcycles.
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Re: 1994 VS1400 project bike won't roll
Yup,.....mine's like that too. When warmed, it moves alot easier. But at least he could make it roll if he needed to by just pulling in the Clutch.Herb wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:06 pmMy bike is hard to move when in gear and cold. It eve cranks hard when starting cold, in gear. With cold oil the clutch drags...Designer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:33 amVery Good News! Much as I had thought, the shifting problem would have been lack of lube in the linkage.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 amThe problem is half solved.
Lubed up the gear shifter. Now it moves through first , neutral and second.
It rolls when in neutral, however does not roll when in gear and the clutch lever pulled in.
Good call,...now let's get to what was suggested a few days ago and take care of that. Having a Fully Functional Clutch will mean you will always be able to make it roll, which was your first-stated issue of concern.mauricedonini wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:39 amContinuing on with plan A. Opening up the clutch and checking out the plates as well as the other components. Your help is appreciated. Thank you Maurice
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13605&start=1
I'm wanting to get you Back On The Road Again.
Just about every bike I have owned the clutch would drag when the oil was cold.
The Fundamental issue he is having is The Clutch. Fixing that will certainly beget him being able to get the bike to roll again, and needs be done to get the Bike roadworthy anyways.
Having a Final Drive or Gearbox issue was pretty remote, if at all. Thank goodness!