1800 wet clutch

[IBArider]

Knowing that the Goldwing 1800 has a wet clutch, I was told that if you are at a stand still (large intersection and long lights, traffic jam, etc.)
you need to put the m/c in neutral instead of holding the clutch lever in. The reason stated was that the oil does not circulate in the clutch when
the clutch lever is pulled in so holding the clutch lever in for any extended time causes excessive wear on the clutch. Any knowledgeable people
out there who can give mechanical facts as to what is true? Thanks as always for responding.

[Steve F]

Well, my thought is if there's no detectable feel of the bike wanting to move forward, then the clutch isn't dragging. There should be sufficient oil between the clutch plates for a few minutes, I would think.....

[harvey01]

The MSF used to teach to keep the bike in gear and use the clutch when at stoplights. This is a safety issue so if you need to pull off suddenly you do not waste time putting the bike in gear, you are already to go!

[IBArider]

Thanks for the replies, I just want to clarify that I am asking for the mechanical knowledge of the wet clutch operation and not a safety question. I personally have had the motorcycle safety riding training including the escort training from Moto Mark 1 and did not suggest that I or anyone should
put the m/c in neutral in moving traffic. I just stated what had been said by another so I ask for a mechanical knowledge of lubrication of the clutch.
Thanks again for your concern and I agree but hope I do get someone with mechanical knowledge to inform me about the clutch.

[Viking]

If the clutch is not slipping, then there will not be wear to it if you wait at a stop with the lever pulled in. It is designed to be used like that. You will do more damage to your clutch system by using car oil with friction modifiers. That said, I have been known to slip my tranny into neutral and let the clutch lever out at a long light or in stop and slowly go traffic, but it has nothing to do with an expectation of excessive wear to anything except my left hand.

[thrasherg]

I think you have misunderstood how a wet clutch operates. In a wet clutch oil is NOT pumped through the clutch, the plates just sit in a bath of oil, so for the clutch it doesn't really care if the clutch is engaged or disengaged. The oil just helps remove heat at the point where the clutch is starting to transfer power, i.e. The clutch is slipping. If you have the clutch fully disengaged, then you can sit like that indefinitely without harming the clutch. It's always a good idea to have the bike in neutral if you are sitting for a while, but you are not doing any harm to the clutch by sitting with the bike in gear and holding the clutch lever in. If the clutch is dragging then you are causing wear by holding the clutch in, but that is due to the fact a dragging clutch is transmitting power and that produces heat.. hope I answered your concern.

Gary

[IBArider]

Thanks themainviking and thrasherg and all who responded. I did not think what I was told sounded correct but was too ignorant on the mechanics of the
wet clutch. Thank for giving me some better understanding and hopefully helping some others reading the forum.

[Bad Blake]

Just to add to Thrasherg's post, when you change oil you also change the clutch oil. This is the same oil that passes thru the engine oil filter, there is a small plastic internal filter to collect any clutch metal that may try to get into the engine case.

[IBArider]

Thanks Bad Blake, but now this brings up another question. How do you clean the internal plastic filter as it being internal I assume it can not be changed?

[Overbyte]

Hi IBArider,

I am not absolutely certain about the mechanics of the GL clutch, I am sure there are other more knowledgeable readers here. But I do know that a rotating clutch is pushed into a release position by what could be described as a "throw-out bearing" by a hydraulic actuator. There is wear on that surface and pressure on the actuator when the clutch is pulled when the engine is running.
The counter argument is being ready to drive off in the event of a imminent collision. That is assuming you are looking back at the time to see the threat and you have left yourself a place to go and you have lightening fast reactions. I put my bike in neutral at long lights mostly because I had to replace a clutch actuator on my BMW, and as an added benefit I can rest my left hand and scratch my right sholder.

Cheers,
Overbyte

[IBArider]

OK Thanks OVERBYTE, that is what I was told. The "throw out bearing" does not get lubricated when the clutch handle is pulled which will cause wear. I love this site so I can get information from owners
and riders who know their motorcycle. Knowledge helps to make a good decision.

[thrasherg]

that is correct, but it's a single ball bearing that is pushing against a rod on one end and the clutch plates on the other end. If the engine is just idling, wear should not be an issue!!

Gary

[IBArider]

Thanks THRASHERG, it appears that your left hand/wrist will need to relax before much harm is done holding in the clutch handle. I do put my m/c in neutral when I have fired it up but someone else in
the group is slow in getting ready (there is always one) but I have to admit that I hold the clutch handle at traffic lights. Traffic jams than it depends on what appears to be happening weather I hold the clutch handle, put it in neutral or just shut the m/c down if I can not escape by a side route. From the information received I do not think that I have caused damage/ early wear.

[thrasherg]

I would be very confident that you have not done any harm at all..

Gary