Clutch not engaging

undefined Ive got a 1982 kz1000 csr. I got it as a project bike a couple of years ago and rode it home. The clutch seemed to operate fine.

I completely disassembled the bike to paint the frame. The only modification to the engine was in the top end. Never touched the clutch. Ive got it back together and with a brand new clutch cable, the clutch will not engage. I adjusted the cable accordingbto the manual. (Turn the clutch arm adjuster counterclockwise until hard to turn, the turn it back out clockwise a quarter turn. Adjust cable to take up slack. Adjust lever to apropriate slack.)

The feel at the handle is good but it does not engage the clutch. On the center stand with the clucth pulled in, the wheel spins fully

Im not sure what the pushrod is supposed to feel like but by hand it doesnt move inward.

Any thoughts?

Try turning it the other way. Some are clockwise.
Steve

If the bike (engine) didn´t run and sit over a long time the clutch steel and frictions plate tend to dry out and "glue" together.
In my case i had to drove my bike with the clutch leveler fully pulled till the plates broke free.
In a worse case you have to pull the clutch parts and gave all plates a good clean and a fresh oil bath.

Its definitely the counterclockwise style.

Looks like im pulling the clutch

You will not be able to push the rod by hand.

Before you totally disassemble it why not try pulling the clutch cover off and engage the lever. Watch to see if the clutch plates move. If they do then you know the problem is probably either the plates. Oh...and be sure to use a JASO certified oil.

Noted. Thanks.

From reading other forums, im seeing a lot of stuck plates. Does this sound like that to yall?

Yep. My plates will stick together in only a couple of days of sitting.

I think you have the words "disengage" confused with "engage". If the plates are stuck, they will not >dis-engage<. Mine does this quite frequently. I break them loose by kicking the bike into gear, then all is fine. Not a biggie.

In the interest of clarity I would like to point out that the clutch is engaged when the bike is being driven and the clutch lever is not being touched. The clutch is disengaged when the clutch lever is squeezed and no power is going to the rear wheel. Engaged means the clutch plates are together and the engine is connected to the rear wheel. Disengaged means the clutch plates are apart and the engine is not connected to the rear wheel.
Carry on.

In many instances all one has to do is get the bike on the ground, start the engine in neutral and apply front brake. Then put trans in first gear. You will probably feel a lurch forward but if the plates are stuck they should release and from that point on be okay. If they don't release the engine will kill because it can't move with the front brake applied. If you have ever owned a Harley you will know exactly what I am talking about. By starting the bike in neutral the jolt of putting it in gear is what breaks the clutch plates free. If you try and start it in gear you make it quite hard on the starter which is fighting the clutch at that point. Many years ago I had a friend with a big inch Harley who every spring after leaving the bike sit all winter used to push it against a wall in his garage for the first start. I should add that the bike had no front brake. To say it was interesting would be an understatement as evidenced by the oval depressions in his garage drywall.
Rick H.