Update 6/29/2012
Issue
Owners note the clutch seems "sticky" or "notchy" and related to the clutch plates. Those that have opened the case have noted that even though the clutch area is splashed by oil...some plates or areas of plates appear completely dry. Perhaps experienced more often by AE owners.
Popular fixes
Popular fixes including remove the clutch, noting some surfaces are dry, cleaning the faces or removing possible anti-corrosion materialf, and "soaking" each piece in oil to make sure thorough coverage of individual parts. Detailed instructions are here.
Not all clutch symptoms are due to a dry clutch, nor resolved by a soak. The clutch hydraulic fluid needing bleeding (or changing) can cause some similar symptoms (perhaps for AE (AS) owners more than for the conventional).
Years or Bikes Affected
No definitive years known, but appears to be more common in Gen 2 years....perhaps more commonly in the 2006 to 2008 years.
Status with Yamaha
This issue does not appear to be formally recognized by the manufacturer or NHTSA. Reports of dealers covering a "clutch soak" through warranty have been reported including here.
Status with NHTSA
It is unknown if anybody has reported this issue to NHTSA or other government agencies nor is this likely to be directly a safety issue.
Forum Campaign Status
If this is a continuing issue or believed to be a signficant safety issue--the forum could begin a collective campaign to try and resolve the issue. Successful previous experience on other issues (i.e. tickers & ignition switch issues) involve a self-nominated champion that's of the "glass half-full" temperament managing a thread. See thread by Barabus Ignition Switch Thread as a golden example. Those interested should contact Ignacio for forum assistance.
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Picture of dry plates by mcatrophy.
Issue
Owners note the clutch seems "sticky" or "notchy" and related to the clutch plates. Those that have opened the case have noted that even though the clutch area is splashed by oil...some plates or areas of plates appear completely dry. Perhaps experienced more often by AE owners.
Popular fixes
Popular fixes including remove the clutch, noting some surfaces are dry, cleaning the faces or removing possible anti-corrosion materialf, and "soaking" each piece in oil to make sure thorough coverage of individual parts. Detailed instructions are here.
Not all clutch symptoms are due to a dry clutch, nor resolved by a soak. The clutch hydraulic fluid needing bleeding (or changing) can cause some similar symptoms (perhaps for AE (AS) owners more than for the conventional).
Years or Bikes Affected
No definitive years known, but appears to be more common in Gen 2 years....perhaps more commonly in the 2006 to 2008 years.
Status with Yamaha
This issue does not appear to be formally recognized by the manufacturer or NHTSA. Reports of dealers covering a "clutch soak" through warranty have been reported including here.
Status with NHTSA
It is unknown if anybody has reported this issue to NHTSA or other government agencies nor is this likely to be directly a safety issue.
Forum Campaign Status
If this is a continuing issue or believed to be a signficant safety issue--the forum could begin a collective campaign to try and resolve the issue. Successful previous experience on other issues (i.e. tickers & ignition switch issues) involve a self-nominated champion that's of the "glass half-full" temperament managing a thread. See thread by Barabus Ignition Switch Thread as a golden example. Those interested should contact Ignacio for forum assistance.
------
Picture of dry plates by mcatrophy.
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