Clutch question

Buddhacide

Buddhacide

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This is probably a pretty noobish question, so bear with me.

I've been adjusting my clutch cable constantly over the last few months to try to allow my clutch to fully disengage (pushing the friction point away). I have difficulty changing gears and finding neutral if I dont. It seems though, sometimes within only a few hours of my doing so, I need to do it again. Why is this the case? I would assume over time the cable would stretch, not contract. Wouldnt it make more sense for me to be adjusting it in the other direction?
 
I thought that if your clutch cable were to break that it would become engaged and not disengaged.
 
I'm not certain, but it makes sense that would be true.

That said, it doesnt really address what I'm asking. My cable needs to be continuously adjusted outward. One would assume it would be the other way around.
 
No, that makes sense for a cable that's stretching. But if you're adjusting it all the time like that then the cable is probably about to break. Replace the clutch cable.
 
fastar1 said:
No, that makes sense for a cable that's stretching. But if you're adjusting it all the time like that then the cable is probably about to break. Replace the clutch cable.
Click to expand...

+1 It's probably fraying somewhere near the clutch lever.

c5ce5edb.jpg
 
Thanks Man. Ok, so I've actually thought about this a bit

Cable Stretches = longer cable= more free play= need to decrease free play by adjusting clutch outward. I think I get it.
 
Also, the heat we are having recently may affect your clutch. The cable my stretch easier because it is hotter, the clutch itself may be running differently due to hotter running temperatures. Also, as your bike warms up, the clutch cable will stretch as everything heats up. Anyone who raced motorcross should be able to back me up on this.

Vaguely related, watch out with brakes too. Those rubber brake lines can heat up a lot this time of year in these kinds of temperatures and you can lose some brake capability. It happened to me a couple years ago and I almost crashed because my brakes were much spongier than expected (it was one of those 35C days and I was riding all day). Now I have stainless steel lines and it is sweet.
 
Thanks for adding that koalakid. I have noticed the clutch operates alot better in the cooler weather.
 
In my humble opinion, two things are important: 1) you need some "play" in the lever. the cable should not be in tension when your fingers are not pulling the lever; 2) you should be able to release the lever (from pulled in 100%) before the friction point. These two points will ensure your cable is "properly" adjusted. The fine tuning comes down to personal preference, but I do notice that on hot days like this week, the clutch feel (and tension) changes throughout the day (it is different when I get out of the office after the bike has been baking in the sun all day). I have small hands, so I like my friction point close to the grip, but it is important to make sure that you have a dead zone before the friction point.

oh yeah, what's the mileage on the clutch? (I am assuming it is original clutch, so what's the mileage on the bike?)
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