Noob in need, clutch plates

I was working on my XV 535 project again, got her turning over and ready to run, went to start her and battery was flat, tried to jump her, she wasn't having it, I wheeled her onto the drive with my dad and went to bump start her. I put it in first and held the clutch and the bike wouldn't move. I adjusted the cable and everything and made sure it was all adjusted properly and it seemed that the clutch still wasn't engaging when I pulled the leaver. The bike moved forward and back with the same friction (if that is the word) that it did with the clutch in or out. I got my dad to hold the clutch linkage arm (again, noobish terminology, its the part where the cable goes into the case and to the clutch) on fully with a screwdriver and it still didn't feel like it was engaging.

I put the bike back in the garage an put her on a paddock, drained oil etc etc and took the clutch apart (while consulting the good Doctor Haynes, of course). Attached is a picture of what I think is one of the friction plates, all of the others are in the same condition. The heads are not mushroomed, but they are covered with a mottled brown around the surface of the plate. The brown stuff is coming off in places. To be perfectly honest I don't know if the brown stuff is supposed to be on there, or not, or if it is if it supposed to be a consistent film around the plate. I think they need to be replaced, but not even sure if they are the source of the problem. Would this be my the origins of my clutch problems, or do I need to do some more digging?

Thanks peoples

My clutch plate

when you went to seperate the plates did you find they were stuck together and not coming apart very easy then they were just stuck dip them into some clean oil and put it back together should all work then once you have adjusted it correctly of course,it is common for clutch plates to stick up when bike not been used for a long time

Hmm - maybe just replace them since they're out already. They're only £30ish for your bike.

They stuck a little. The bike has been standing for 8 years. I think i'll replace them anyway. Do you think that it was those sticking that was giving me problems? Or is it a 'suck it and see' kinda deal?

good chance that was the problem dont forget to leave the new plates soaking in oil bath over night is good gives them plenty of time to soak oil in then

I've replaced the friction plates but the clutch still isn't engaging. The springs look fine. Anyone got any ideas, or do I have to rip the clutch apart and look at all of it?

If you're pulling the clutch lever in and the arm isn't moving then sounds to me like either a seized/sticking clutch of witch you've already attempted to tackle with the new plates.. clean the inside of the engine casing (where the arm goes into the casing, actually inside) and see if that makes a difference, could be anything has worked it's way inside and prevented it from working, also may be worth taking the side casing of and seeing what it does when you pull the clutch lever in.

The other obvious possibility is that the clutch cable may need replacing.

I'd say start with the obvious basics before spending any more money, work through the parts one by one and inspect each closely to ensure functioning correctly before replacing or moving on to next.

I recently had a clutch sticking issue with the arm, turned out a spray of WD40 on the arm ensures that it doesn't corrode anymore (after it was fixed).

Might be of help might not im no mechanic

do whatever you think needs doing now the plates are out

i only mess with old bikes some that have stood for 30+ years so for future reference,the clutch plates will start to stick if a bike is unused after a relitivly short time so here is a trick that will work 99.9% of the time key off ,pull clutch select 1st gear rock the bike against the compression with the clutch pulled in sometimes it will free in 6-8 rocks other times or stubborn one and may take 40-50 times but they nearly all free if your persistent

=

Just to check something; when you're saying that the clutch still isn't engaging, how are you testing this? Had some tricky to diagnose clutch problems of my own just before Christmas, hopefully some of my experiences might be of help.

Quick update, I busted a bolt in the clutch trying to reinstall it, had to take it to a local garage to get it drilled out. I think that the clutch just needs using. I've polished up the metal plates, and reinstalled it all with the friction plates. When the bike is running im going to leave it to run it back through the gears again on the stand and see if it loosens everything up