I just traded my 86 ragtop sammy for an 87 tintop. The clutch on the 87 tintop makes a loud screeching noise sometimes as I let it out. It only seems to make noise when I start from a dead stop -- in 1st or reverse -- and the noise stops when the clutch is released. There is no jerking associated with this noise. The clutch seems to work smoothly.
Would this be the throw out bearing?
Also, I took it for about a 10 mile test drive on a trail and near the end of the test drive I could smell something burning, like rubber. There was no noise associated with the smell and I couldn't see smoke. Any ideas on what was burning and how far I should dare to drive it?
I'm thinking I need a clutch kit. If so, how much should I have to pay a shop for labor?

Yes sounds like a throw out bearing noise. The smell is probably the clutch. It is a shame that you have to take it some place to get this work done. It will probably be a minimum of 4 hours labor. The R&R of the clutch is not the easiest thing that I have ever done on the Zuk.

The bad part about having someone else doing it. There may be additional worn parts that can be associated with this area such as:
Front worn trans housing that the throw out bearing rides on
Front trans input shaft bearing,
Sometimes the trans input shaft also gets worn out and this needs to be addressed.
Good time to replace the front trans seal while you are there.

It would also be a good idea to have the flywheel resurfaced before a new clutch is installed.

Thank you for the reply Tan Zuk. It was the throw out bearing and the clutch was burnt up a bit. The clutch that was in there looks fairly new. My mechanic thinks whoever put the old clutch in did not resurface the flywheel.