Clutch behaviour

[Jamieg285]

This is my first bike that I have been mechanically minded on, and those before it were 20 odd years ago.  I'm not sure what the correct feel on the clutch lever is, and want to find out if I have a problem looming, or if what I'm getting is normal.


I've adjusted the clutch cable a few times, at the lever end, as described by the manuals, so that there is about 1mm of slack before the lever starts to pull.  Over time, presumably due to cable stretch, the amount of slack has increased and I have to pull the lever a bit further to disengage the clutch.


Of late, it seems that the bite point is getting further away rather than closer to me.  There isn't much slack, but I barely touch the lever and the clutch is free.  I've not noticed any slip (yet), so I'm not sure if the clutch is wearing out and due an overhaul or not.


I've not looked at the lower end of the adjustment, I assumed that it was just another cable adjustment , just at the other end.  Is this right, or would adjusting it at that end move the bite point?


Any help and advice greatfully received.

[darrsi]

I've just done this adjustment, but you'll need quite a deep angled 12mm ring spanner and a cross head screwdriver to do it.
 
Take the round rubber bung out of the front sprocket cover and you'll see a nut.
Undo the nut so that it's just slightly undone.
At the top end screw the clutch cable outer casing in so that there's about 3 or 4mm gap then tighten up the big wheel to secure it.
Then back down to the nut, in the middle of it is a screw with a cross head on it, you need to screw it in gently until you feel it stop, then unscrew it a quarter of a turn, then whilst holding the screw in position tighten up the nut with the ring spanner.
The bottom end is now adjusted correctly.
If it is not quite right you can then adjust any play from the top end.
 
If it still doesn't seem too happy you may have a knackered cable.   

[Dead Eye]

The adjustment at the other end is much more "aggressive" - I usually try to get it ballpark ish at the sprocket cover then fine-tune at the lever end as you have more control there.

If the bite point is getting further away then I'd probably check how clean it is behind the sprocket cover and clean out the mechanism as darrsi described here

Edit: Just seen darrsi's response :P You can also use a socket wrench instead of a deep spanner - the centre screw doesn't seem to move much and I usually just finger tighten the nut by hand first to make sure the screw stays in place, then a quick nip up with the socket and its done Saves having to buy any more "special" tools

[darrsi]

The adjustment at the other end is much more "aggressive" - I usually try to get it ballpark ish at the sprocket cover then fine-tune at the lever end as you have more control there.

If the bite point is getting further away then I'd probably check how clean it is behind the sprocket cover and clean out the mechanism as darrsi described here

 
Yes, that would've been quicker to direct you to that page.......DOH!!! 
 
In fact i'd recommend doing that lubing as well while you're at it, it's well worth it.

[darrsi]

The adjustment at the other end is much more "aggressive" - I usually try to get it ballpark ish at the sprocket cover then fine-tune at the lever end as you have more control there.

If the bite point is getting further away then I'd probably check how clean it is behind the sprocket cover and clean out the mechanism as darrsi described here

Edit: Just seen darrsi's response :P You can also use a socket wrench instead of a deep spanner - the centre screw doesn't seem to move much and I usually just finger tighten the nut by hand first to make sure the screw stays in place, then a quick nip up with the socket and its done Saves having to buy any more "special" tools

 
I did cheat a bit, i borrowed my neighbours ring spanner who's a mechanic that works from home.