Clutch lever issues | GTAMotorcycle.com

Clutch lever issues

axian_rider

axian_rider

Well-known member
Hi all, just a question I wonder if anyone can help me out with about clutch. I'm still a newb so hopefully I'm not asking redundant question...

Anyways, I got my used 2007 ninja 250, and I notice that the clutch lever on my bike is a but loose... what I mean by that is that when I release the clutch, the friction point doesn't reach until the clutch is all way way open. I wonder if that's normal, and if there's anyway to adjust it so the clutch is "closer" to me when reaching the friction point.

Thanks for any help, and good riding to all!!
 
When you say "all the way open" do you mean the lever almost fully out, or almost fully in?

You can make small adjustments to lever position by using the threads where the cable attaches to the transmission, and where it attaches to the lever. With the clutch lever released and out, you're going to want to make sure it has no tension, but also very little play: factory spec is 2-3mm. If there is too much slack in the cable, you'll feel the lever wiggle and vibrate, and be able to pull it in a bit before it actually "catches" and does anything. If there is too much tension, you're cable might not be letting the clutch "out" all the way and it won't be fully engaging.

Have a look at this for more info: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Adjusting_the_clutch_cable

My understanding is that the friction point for a given clutch is specific to the bike. It will change a little bit depending on how worn your clutch plates are, and how you've adjusted your cable, but other than that there's not much you can do about it. I ride a GS500F, and my friction point is at the very end of the lever, when it's almost all the way out. It's still working properly, in that it fully engages and releases, but that's where it is and I have to live with it.
 
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sixstring said:
Adjusting the clutch cable only adjusts the play/slack in your clutch line. The friction zone will not actually change.
Click to expand...

+1

Tried to do this with my gf's R6 and realized that. It only helps with grip fatigue in my opinion, but I think this is what you are referring to when you say it is 'loose'. Keep in mind as you tighten it up, it will take more strength to keep your clutch pulled in, which may tire you out if you're the type to stay in gear at a red light. If you want a 'wider' friction zone I don't think thats adjustable.
 
sixstring said:
Adjusting the clutch cable only adjusts the play/slack in your clutch line. The friction zone will not actually change.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Any adjustments to the slack might make the friction zone move slightly "up" or "down" the range of the lever, but only a small amount, and you won't be able to make the zone wider/shorter. Like I was trying to explain before, if you try (as I once did) and move it towards the bars, you'll end up with a ton of slack in the cable and the lever will bounce around and not return to it's full out position.
 
bboySushi said:
Keep in mind as you tighten it up, it will take more strength to keep your clutch pulled in
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound good. Were you trying to pull the clutch beyond it's normal range of motion, or is that just the springs getting stiffer as they're more compressed?

The only way to cheaply and effectively increase the "width" of the friction zone is to get a different lever that has a different ratio of lever movement : cable movement. If you had a lever that moved the same amount in degrees, but only pulled the cable 1/2 the distance, the friction zone would feel twice as big (and be twice as easy to pull).
 
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Thanks, I suppose that there's not easy way to fix the friction zone then... I was just wondering if this is normal anyways haha.
 
axian_rider said:
Thanks, I suppose that there's not easy way to fix the friction zone then... I was just wondering if this is normal anyways haha.
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If you get aftermarket levers the lever will sit much closer to the bar, without creating slack in the cable, making it feel like your friction zone has moved much closer to the bar.

A quick search on ebay showed no adjustable levers for your bike. Ones for the newer 250 for example: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/180875319445

Good luck on your search.
 
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