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Message started by Kelli on 06/02/08 at 03:41:12

Title: Clutch Lever Modifications?
Post by Kelli on 06/02/08 at 03:41:12

My apologies if this topic has been covered. I have a 1997 LS650 and the clutch lever is hard for me to pull and the distance between the grip and clutch lever makes it even more difficult. My hands are small and would like to find a way to modify the clutch lever. Has anyone been able to do this? or had any luck finding a dog leg lever that will work with this bike?

Thanks in advance!!

Kelli

Title: Re: Clutch Lever Modifications?
Post by youzguyz on 06/02/08 at 04:13:15

The clutch requires a certain amount of travel to dis-engage, which is what you do when you pull it.
You can try fiddling with the adjusters to give you as much slack as possible and still have enough travel to dis-engage the clutch.
Be VERY carefull!! It will be a very large bummer if you don't have enough travel, and the bike tries to take off as soon as you put it in gear!!
WITH THE ENGINE OFF:
Put the bike in gear. Adjust the cable to give you more slack. Then pull in the clutch and try to move the bike. If it moves easily, then the clutch is still dis-engaging as it should, and you can try it with the bike running.
It it doesn't move easily, then you have too much slack in the cable, and the clutch is NOT dis-engaging. Do NOT try it with the engine running!!

Besides that.. I can't think of anything you could do to cure your problem.

Title: Re: Clutch Lever Modifications?
Post by KwakNut on 06/02/08 at 06:57:09

As youzguyz says, the lever needs to pull the cable a set distance ot fully disengage the clutch - I don't think there's much 'left over' to play with as slack.

To do so with a shorter length of pull, you'd need to either modify your current lever so that the cable attachment is further from the fulcrum to generate more cable movement per inch of lever pull, or fit a custom lever with a different ratio.

If you really, wanted to, you could modify the lever at the engine end because if that were shorter you'd need to pull the lever less distance.

Whatever way you change it, a shorter pull will be proportionately stiffer.

Title: Re: Clutch Lever Modifications?
Post by verslagen1 on 06/02/08 at 09:05:52

You can put more slack in the adjustment of the lever and see if that is better.

Then I'd buy a spare lever and bend to suit.

If you hands won't accomodate that, you might concider getting a 7/8 diameter bar, riser, controls, mirror set.

Title: Re: Clutch Lever Modifications?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/02/08 at 09:10:49

I have mine set with so much slack that I find myself flipping the lever forward after I let it go. I like the "closer to the handlebar" before it starts pulling, feel.My hands would handle it, all the way out, but my girl rides it too.
Engine off, in first, pull the clutch in & roll the bike.
Now, fire it up & look at where the clutch is when it starts to pull away.
See haw far the lever is from the bar?
Look at where it is when you arent touching it. Relax it no more than 1/2 of the distance from the bar when it pulled away & see how it feels.
NOW, Notice what excess slack allows. The cable is held in place by the tension on it, So, If you put a load of slack in it, find/build a spacer to put in the space where the lever/cable & all come togetrher.
As ,long as you have some room to let the lever out before it starts pulling away, I cant see a problem, just watch what can happpen if the cable is slack.

Title: Re: Clutch Lever Modifications?
Post by verslagen1 on 06/02/08 at 09:30:08

Also check for binding in your cable routing by turning the bars to full lock both directions. ;D

When you're adjusting down to minimum operation, you can't afford to loose any at full turn.