my mz

[dbird]

i love my mz black panther but i think i need to replace the clutch. anyone know where i can take it in sacramento?

[keithcross]

Any Yamaha dealer should be able to do this for you. Plates are the same as an XT600 I think. Search previous posts for information.
Either that or contact a UK Yamaha dealer and ask for XTZ or SRZ 660 plates and get your local dealer to do the job for you.

Keith

[dbird]

good idea i called a shop in san fransisco and they quoted me 365 for plates and seals...that sound about right?

[Drew]

No help on the clutch, but did you just get the bike? It looks quite clean.

[dbird]

thanks i like it alot and yes i just got it about a month ago its an 03 got it for 4000

[Scheffi]

You are really sure, that your clutch is faulty. I can't believe it! Probably you have the wrong oil inside... change it.... and use a motorcycle oil. A half-synthetic oil is enough.

[dbird]

do you mean the wrong clutch fluid or motor oil? i changed both when it started getting difficult to shift into 2nd and 3rd and it worked for a few days but it started again??? thanks for the help.

[Drew]

I think what Scheffi is suggesting is if a car oil with friction-inhibitor additives was used, then the clutch would slip due to the additive. Motorcycle oils don't have friction inhibitors added.

I don't own a Baggy myself, so I'm not sure if they use separate oils for clutch and motor.

[phlat65]

no seperate oil. I can't believe the clutch is bad. I have 15,000 miles on mine, and I abuse the crap out of it. raced it, wheelie all the time, back it in, still works great....

[Scheffi]

I think what Scheffi is suggesting is if a car oil with friction-inhibitor additives was used, then the clutch would slip due to the additive. Motorcycle oils don't have friction inhibitors added.

Exactly! I couldn't find the perfect english words for it!

My clutch works perfectly (since 40 000 km).

[jimc]

The 660 motor runs engine, clutch , and tranny in the same oil.
If you're experiencing difficult shifting, you probably have a cable free play adjustment OR OTHER CLUTCH RELEASE issue. make sure that your handlebar end lever moves a quarter inch or so before the release lever down on the right side of the motor starts to move. Does the bike want to creep with it in gear with the clutch in? A dragging clutch will give you shifting headaches.
As far as oils go, don't use anything marked "EC Energy Conserving" in the round API label on the container. The slippery additives in these are not the best for a wet clutch. It also might be possible that the clutch has been fried and the plates are warped. This will allow it to hook up OK, but it will drag and probably engage unevenly - look for shaking when the clutch is released slowly. A competent mechanic an change the clutch plates in less than one hour, and check for boogered up hub and housing - wear can cause good clutch plates to drag. This can be fixed if it's not too far gone., otherwise you're looking at a bigger job to change the whole enchilada.
What do you mean "clutch fluid"?
Good Luck........

[dbird]

new to it and this is my frist street bike so i really appreciate all the info. i used a valvoline motorcycle 10w-40 with superior wet clutch protection. when it was changed the problem went away but now its back what could it be???

[dbird]

it doesnt drag its just really hard to shift from 1st to 3rd and back down and yes it does try to pull forward when engaged in 1st.???

[keithcross]

It sounds like adjustment to me and the clutch is dragging. Try to adjust it, or get it adjusted. It is unusual for a dragging clutch to be worn out.

Keith

[dbird]

thanks i will try that, hope it works