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How Tight is your Clutch Lever??

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by CruiseAck, Aug 25, 2015.

  1. CruiseAck

    CruiseAck New Member

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    Hi XJers,

    My clutch lever is really tight, specially compared to my cb750, and most other bikes i have ridden(friends/coworkers/etc).

    I am wondering if thats just how they were designed or if there is something either wrong or something i can do to make it less stiff.

    It is operable by all means, but its pretty crazy going back and forth between different feeling bikes. Thats not really even the problem, but rather i just want to know the mechanics behind it, to see if there is anyway to change it.

    thanks everyone!

    Josh.
     
    CruiseAck, Aug 25, 2015
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  2. CafeBlack

    CafeBlack Member

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    Hi...my XJ900 requires the clutch lever to have little or no play in it. When I have adjusted it according to the Haynes manual (2-3mm of play from memory) it feels as though it doesn't disengage enough to kick it into first gear from neutral easily. Having it with no play just makes it feel like a normal shift into first. And this is with a rebuilt clutch with new friction plates.
     
    CafeBlack, Aug 25, 2015
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  3. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Clarify what you mean by tightness. Are you describing the force required to pull the lever, or are you describing the free play in the cable?
     
    k-moe, Aug 25, 2015
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    CruiseAck likes this.
  4. CruiseAck

    CruiseAck New Member

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    i am describing the force required to pull the lever. not free play.
     
    CruiseAck, Aug 25, 2015
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  5. CafeBlack

    CafeBlack Member

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    Good point. The XJ900 has a heavy pull on the leaver I've found. And when it has been really hard to pull the lever and disengage the clutch it has been down to a sticky/worn cable and on the last occasion it broke where the cable slotted into the lever. Apparently the friction put strain on the weakest point which was at the lever and the cable seemed to wear and break at the slotted end.
     
    CafeBlack, Aug 25, 2015
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  6. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    the little "barrel" on the end is supposed spin as you pull the lever. Remember the plastic thing on new cables, it's like a bearing to let it slide. Once the barrel sticks in the lever, your cable bends and won't last long. grease it up good
     
    Polock, Aug 25, 2015
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  7. pkay

    pkay Member

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    Check how tight the mounting nut and screw fir the lever are. If they are too tight you will create friction in the lever action that makes the pull action feel tight. If that doesn't work undo the lever and clean it out and regrease. Then check that it isn't overtightened. Then I'd check my cable condition including the bit above. If you've got it disconnected give the able an oil (never gets done). If problem persists after that let us know
     
    pkay, Aug 25, 2015
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  8. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    get a cable lube block work great, clamps around cable and you spray cable lube in the little hole 5 seconds and it flows out the other end. my clutch pulls with 2 fingers
     
    XJ550H, Aug 25, 2015
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  9. lostboy

    lostboy Well-Known Member

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    Check the arm at the top of the clutch cover it should point at a dimple on cover. With the arm at 90° to the cover it will get the most amount of leverage and a straight pull from the cable.
     
    lostboy, Aug 26, 2015
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  10. CruiseAck

    CruiseAck New Member

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    about to go through the checklist of everyones points. haha.. thanks for the thorough responses!!
     
    CruiseAck, Aug 26, 2015
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  11. quebecois59

    quebecois59 Well-Known Member

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    I find my seca900 clutch lever a bit hard to pull compared to my Honda Magna 1995, even with a brand new clutch cable. The shifting is more accurate and les clunky though, I've never missed the second on the Seca
     
    quebecois59, Aug 26, 2015
    #11

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