Clutch slipping or too tight cable??

I recently changed from stock handlebars to drag style. I have alot of excess cable now and do not know if I need to adjust the cable or if I have a problem with the clutch. When I really get on the throttle it revs real high and then 'grabs'. Same on the highway, when the rpms get high, it does not seem to get into gear. I just changed the oil with Rotella and checked the level, it is all good. This may sound really funny but when adjusting the clutch cable at the hand grip, do I want to turn the 'screw' in or out? Am I making sense here? Is there a tell tale sign of a bad clutch that may need rebuilt?? Thanks!

 

I'm not familiar with "Rotella" but some oils have additives that cause the clutch to slip. If this is your first try with that oil I'd suggest changing to a different oil and see if the problem persists.

As far as the clutch cable adjustment, if that in fact turns out to be the problem, screwing the adjuster on the clutch lever in so that the end of the outer cable comes closer to the lever will cause the clutch to engage sooner and should solve the problem for you.

 

Check out Rick's guide to adjusting your clutch in this thread:

Clutch adjustment guide

Hope this sloves your clutch problem

 

here's another dumb one for you......Can you 'ride the clutch' on a bike like a truck or car? I mean, when you stop at a stop light, are you supposed to put it in neutral rather that hold the clutch in until you begin going again? goodnight.......

 

Stopped with the clutch fully engaged is not "riding", riding is when you are using the clutch insted of the brakes to stop from rolling backwards!

Yes you can sit with the bike in gear. Some don't like to incase the cable choses that moment to snap or you get rearended, with the bike in gear in those situations you could end up suddenly propelled through the intersection against traffic. The same applys to cars and trucks.

I normally leave the bike in gear, most stops here are less than 30 seconds, it won't hurt the bike. Keep in mind the safety aspects though.

 

You know which way to turn the adjuster by the way the Clutch Lever is acting. If it's loose and takes the bike on a Clunk into first ... adjust it so there's less free play in the Lever. Out.

 

I have the adjuster almost all the way out. I have a lot of slack in the cable from putting on the drag bar. There is no play in the clutch lever at all! The instant you pull it, it is engaging..... Can I buy a shorter cable???

 

Move clutch adjuster in to get more free play - less slip.

Don't mistake slack in the cover for slack in the cable. The cover is only the guide for the cable.

In theory there's no reason the cable assembly couldn't be 100 miles long. You still need to loosen the cable to get more play.

 

BTW is tha oil you switched to synthetic?
Make sure it says somewhere that the oil is ok for use with a wet clutch, or that it's for a motorcycle at least.

 

Thanks guys for helping me with my problem. Just had to loosen the cable! Whew!!

 

Some things are simple.

You got off light.

Feels good getting to know your bike ... don't it???