Bob teaches you how to adjust the clutch and primary chain on your Harley Softail or Dyna model. You will arrive to the point of having to perform a complete adjustment at some time though. There should also be another adjustment barrel down at the other end of the cable, where it reaches the transmission case. A motorcycle clutch typically uses what is known as a wet clutch system. Clutch Adjustment. The most common cause of this problem is a badly adjusted clutch. If all of the above checks out, the rider should check the push rod. Another possibility is incorrect oil use. In most cases, a slipping clutch will get progressively worse and the owner will have no other option than to inspect the plates, measure their thickness (driven plates) and flatness (drive plates) and replace as required. In this case, the clutch plates can stick together causing only partial disengagement. 2. While riding, use your left hand to adjust the barrel adjuster where the cable housing meets the clutch lever, to fine-tune the adjustments made previously. The clutch adjustment procedure is to turn the adjustment screw counter clock wise until resistance is met, then turn it 1/8 th of a turn back clockwise. The clutch should be adjusted so that the application of the clutch lever will completely disengage the transmission of power. To negate this problem, the rider should (before starting the engine) select first or second gear and rock the machine backward and forwards until the clutch disengages. Somebody’s got to take it up. It’s not rocket science, is it people? Also, inspect any exposed cable wire for fraying, kinks or corrosion. Tips for First-Time Riders on Classic Motorcycles, Starting a Motorcycle After Winter Storage, Learn How to Set Up 2-Stroke Ignition Timing on Your Motorcycle, Swapping Motorcycle Engines? Disengagement of the clutch is typically achieved by a rod passing through the gearbox shaft applying opposite pressure to the pressure plate. Your first step in adjusting a hydraulic clutch is to locate the slave-cylinder pushrod and determine if it is adjustable or not. After you have made this adjustment, adjust the clutch cable keeping at least a little free play in the cable. Think of the clutch as being the middle man, between the engine and transmission. Properly adjusting your clutch cable’s free play is essential to getting the maximum life out of your clutch components, clutch cable as well as providing a good “feel” at the lever. We use cookies to improve your experience on this website and so that ads you see online can be tailored to your online browsing interests. Your clutch is a wear item; as it clutches and declutches from the engine, gently and not-so-gently over the years, the 10 or so clutch plates stacked up in there get thinner as they snuggle and unsnuggle up against one another. Changing a motorcycle clutch is something that should be carried out whenever you notice the slightest sign of wear. OK? By far the most popular clutch design is the multi-plate layout, a design consisting of a number of driven and drive plates; typically made of steel (driven) and cork inserted steel (drive). Your clutch is a wear item; as it clutches and declutches from the engine, gently and not-so-gently over the years, the 10 or so clutch plates stacked up in there get thinner as they snuggle and unsnuggle up against one another. It does help if you have a 14mm wrench with the exaggerated bend at the head. Planning a motorcycle ride in advance involved avoiding any hill starts for obvious reasons. Clutch Cable Free Play Adjustment. However, it could be argued that setting off from a standstill requires the rider to slip the clutch to initiate forward momentum. If you have more slack than that, you'llhave to tighten things up a bit. Inspect the entire length of the clutch cable for any damage to the external casing. Make sure you loosen the tiny set screw on the bottom before adjusting. Remember, on some bikes, the only adjustment is the free play of the clutch cable. … hit the adjuster at the other end of the cable. Should the owner find this to be the case, he should inspect the springs which may not have the correct free length and therefore apply the required pressures. A dragging clutch is one where the engine and rear wheel are not completely disengaged when the clutch lever is pulled in. A forum community dedicated to Indian Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Unlike the cable clutch, the hydraulic clutch is self-adjusting. Whenever you buy a new motorcycle, you always have to go through that awkward re-adjustment phase where you acclimate yourself to your new machine’s ergos and other little quarks like throttle sensitivity, shifting and clutch engagement. However, modern oils can sometimes cause this problem. Under normal circumstances, the cable can be tightened with the adjuster placed near the clutch lever's perch, while the remaining adjuster on the motorcycle's clutch cover can eliminate excess cable slack. A proper motorcycle clutch cable adjustment gives your bike's clutch a little freeplay and ensures that you're not riding the clutch even when the lever is fully out. However, purposely slipping the clutch (to increase the revs.) Refer to your service manual for the clutch lever gap width. On some motorcycles, the pressure of the pressure plate is reduced by a mechanism lifting the plate. We codgers know the value of keeping cables lubed and adjusted, along with positioning all the bike’s controls for optimum ergonomic comfort, preferably before the first ride, but I, for one, wasn’t born with this knowledge. Then you can stick the whole thing back where it belongs and snug it back up. © 2020 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. As far as motorcycle projects go, adjusting your bike’s cable clutch is comparatively easy and straightforward. This is a common problem on racing machines in general, but especially on high-performance 2-strokes. No adjustment is needed for this hydraulic clutch. Needless to say, a properly operating clutch is an essential component of any automobile, be it a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, or motorcycle. I have Barnett aluminum backed dry clutch plates and an aluminum NGR Clutch Basket from Motowheels. Suddenly, we have renewed slack! Step 1 Pull the clutch lever in slightly with your left hand to measure the clutch cable's free play. In other words, the rod counters the spring pressure, thereby disengaging the clutch. Over time the inevitable differences in the surface hardness’ will cause the rod (typically) to mushroom which can cause stiction inside the gear shaft. 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 Review – First Ride, Two Ways to Skin a Knee: 2021 Honda ADV150 vs. 2021 Honda Trail 125, 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR Revealed in Australian Certification Documents, BLOWHARDS! The adjusting screw can also be UNDER the clutch cover on the clutch spring plate. Needless to say, motorcycles used in heavy stop-and-go traffic will wear their clutches out much faster than a machine predominantly used on long highway rides. AIRHEAD CLUTCH CABLE REPLACEMENT AND ADJUSTMENT CLUTCH CABLE ENDS- FITTING AND LUBRICATION New control cables, correctly fitted and lubricated, are some of the nicest "gifts" that you can give to your old motorcycle, and will have a far greater effect on the nice feel as you ride. Damaged cables with unraveling sheathing or frayed wires should be tossed in the trash; a satisfactory clutch adjustment cannot be achieved with a poor cable. Before adjusting anything, it is a very good idea to completely remove the cable from the motorcycle, inspect it for wear and lubricate. Where To Adjust Motorcycle Clutch Lever If you need to make an adjustment, there are two places to do it. How To Adjust Your Bike’s Clutch Cable. Enough refound slack, in fact, that we can fine-tune the amount we want with the handlebar-mounted adjuster. Now, you're ready … By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of data and cookies. This means frequent adjustments are not necessary to maintain the correct point of your motorcycle clutch. Sometimes a lot of what feels like jerky throttle response is just too much slack. In general, clutch maintenance is due when the rider experiences one of two problems: slipping or dragging. The first thing to check is the clutch cable adjustment free-play gap. Tighten the clutch cable adjusters near the crank case so that they will not loosen during normal clutch use. As mentioned above, purposely slipping a clutch will greatly increase its wear rate. The ability to properly make this adjustment should be in every rider’s toolbox. On my R1, that’s down at the clutch, on the other side of the bike. (Do not drink the juice.) Consider These Essential Elements, Do-It-Yourself: Rebuild a Motorcycle Engine, Motorcycle Brakes, Fitting New Brake Shoes, How to Ride a Motorcycle in 10 Simple Steps, Motorcycle Handling Problems and Suspension Set-Up. This is because as the clutch discs wear out over time, the hydraulic clutch automatically adjusts to compensate for the loss. Initially prepare your tools … We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. With a cable, clutch lever force is transferred via a Bowden cable which has strands of steel running inside of a flexible sheath. If your pushrod is not adjustable, you may be able to find a suitable replacement at a junkyard that you can install. John Glimmerveen is a former competitive motorcycle racer. Designed to protect the clutch adjuster mechanism from dirt, water, and particularly juicy airborne arthropods, the clutch cable cover (or “boot”) is the accordion-looking piece of rubber that resides about half way between your handlebars and the bottom of your Big Twin frame. Here is the page that refers to the clutch adjustment from my Service Manual => injuncowboy said: Are the service manuals another item that no one can get because of supply? If the clutch does not completely disengage, the engine will stall when shifting into gear or else the motorcycle will have the tendency to creep even with the clutch lever disengaged. Before you dive into a clutch repair, check the adjustment. So, the cable sheath is the outside black vinyl part that the cable runs through. The only way to adjust a hydraulic clutch is by adjusting the length of the slave-cylinder pushrod. The placement may vary per year model and brand of motorcycle but relatively, these two points are the things to consider when you need to adjust your clutch cable. Generally, there are two main adjustment points for your motorcycle clutch. Start by checking the pushrod (throughthe gearbox) free play. To properly maintain and adjust the clutch lever on your Indian Roadmaster, follow these steps: 1. On some motorcycles, the pressure of the pressure plate is reduced by a mechanism lifting the plate. The earliest clutches were no more than a rudimentary belt tensioning system for the rear wheel drive. On some designs, the push rod is a multi-piece item separated by ball bearings. In other words, the rod counters the spring pressure, thereby disengaging the clutch. Yeah, strange. It costs more but is defiantly worth the money to always use a good quality motorcycle oil . If your clutch has a hose leading into a container with juice in it, you can disregard this, since what you’ve got is a hydraulic clutch! You want the clutch to fully disengage when you pull in the lever, fully engage when you release the lever, and not load the bearing buried deep in the clutch basket when engaged. Since the clutch is the link between your crankshaft and your transmission, any slippage means that less of the power your engine is making is getting to the rear wheel. Then you can shorten the sheath a bunch by spinning the right nut with your fingers in the direction that lengthens the inner cable. The most likely scenario for a dragging clutch occurs when a machine has not been used for some time (winter storage, for example). The first proper clutch (a leather cone design) was fitted to a 1913 500-cc Douglas. A motorcycle, or automotive clutch for that matter, is a mechanical device that engages or disengages the drive from the engine to the transmission and ultimately to the rear wheel. Modern oils have many additives which occasionally are not compatible with wet clutches. Learn more about how this works. The majority of multi-plate clutches operate the same way: drive from the engine’s crankshaft turns a gear to an outer drum gear; when the clutch is engaged, the drive goes through the clutch into the gearbox where ratios dictate the speed of rotation of the output shaft and final drive sprocket. He later worked as a race technician for several international race teams. The multiple plates in the clutch are held together by a series of springs which apply pressure onto a pressure plate. It doesn’t have to be big to be an Adventure. This is the primary reason why my 2000 R1 Service Manual says there should be 10 to 15 millimeters of free play at the end of the clutch lever. Ahhhh, better. The shear stability of car oil is not good enough for the gearbox of a bike and its wet clutch system . Clutch works perfectly and is … For most street applications the clutches are classified as wet, simply because they operate in an oil bath in the primary drive case in early machines or by sharing the engine/gearbox oil in later machines. A: Adjusting the clutch on a Trident is one of those things that can take all day: Finding the sweet spot for three things at once can be difficult. Why not you? Slight clutch adjustments can be made at the cable at the front of the bike. Loosening the nut on the left with a 12mm wrench lets you pull the cable and sheath free. If you have a cable-type clutch lever, be … it will work for a while but then as the velocity of the oil breaks down your clutch will suffer and die . However, the rider must check the adjustment of the center push-rod (where fitted), the running clearances, and the cable adjustment (where applicable). Or a fuse between two electrical circuits. How To Adjust Hydraulic Brake Levers Most motorcycles have cable actuated clutches but some bikes have hydraulic clutches, what’s the difference? Because if your clutch is not fully engaged, it’s going to slip, and if it slips, it’s going to wear out faster and keep your bike from transferring its full power to the wheel. There’s one adjuster up next to the lever you can adjust by hand. We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. July 28, 2016 – Harley-Davidson has issued a recall on 27,232 model year 2016 motorcycles. Park the motorcycle on a flat, level surface and allow the vehicle to cool completely. I'm not slapping the op's hands. The first indication that the clutch is in need of maintenance is when it slips under heavy acceleration. 1) The inner clutch cable does NOT get lubricant of any kind. 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo vs. 2020 Kawasaki H2 Carbon vs. Ken Vreeke and JB, 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR – A Detailed First Look, The Lightfighter Electric Superbike Is Back And Better Than Ever, Church of MO: Top 10 Ups And Downs Of 2010. Just about every new motorcycle has more than it should. Often cable adjustments are made to vary the amount of friction zone or get more pull when shifting begins to slip. Don’t forget there is adjustment in the threaded rod that is attached to the clutch lever. In such a system, plain steel and friction plates work in tandem to control the transmission shaft. Or is it? First, inspect the cable itself for and damage. Join the Motorcycle.com Weekly Newsletter to keep up to date on all things motorcycling. Like the primary chain adjustment on older models, clutch adjustment has gone away. The idea is to adjust at each of the possible spots for max throwwith just a teensy bit of play. Never mind clockwise and counterclockwise and all that; all you need to know is that when you shorten the sheath via its adjusters, you’re effectively lengthening the cable inside, thereby providing more slack. If you have less than 1/8" of cablemovement at the handlebar lever before you feel things engaging, it'sprobably fine the way it is. It is very rare for the plates to meet the manufacturer’s specifications for thickness and flatness yet still slip. Most bikes still use the old-fashioned cable, though, because it’s simple, light, tough to screw up, cheap and easily understandable. Like throttle cable adjustments, checking and adjusting the clutch lever is something that you should do periodically. You want to make sure that when the clutch is fully engaged – as in when you’re no longer pulling on the lever at all – that there’s enough slack in the line to allow the plates to be fully engaged. ... Indian Motorcycle Forum. The same applies to your throttle cables, if your bike still has them: The fastest, smoothest rider I know, when presented with a new motorcycle, gets the slack out of them ASAP. The first adjustment you can make for your clutch is the clutch cable and the clutch lever free play and friction zone. These are symptoms of a slipping clutch. Sometimes, even after riding the bike for a while, you still never feel quite at home. You shouldn't have to remove the lock nut completely. In the early days, motorcycles didn't have clutches; riders simply pedaled the machine into life and kept going. Depending on the rider and type of riding he or she does, most multi-plate clutches will last for many thousands of miles. How To Adjust A Motorcycle Clutch Lever | MC Garage - YouTube Take the motorcycle for a test ride. Or the in an extreme case, you drop into first gear release the clutch and the motorcycle doesn’t move ahead, only the RPMs go up. We use data about you for a number of purposes explained in the links below. When it’s turned all the way in like this one, you have run out of adjustment, and therefore it’s time to…. Nevertheless, options for adjustment are limited. Failure to do this will result in the first gear crunching during engagement, and/or the possibility of the bike lurching forward until the clutch disengages. Be sure to achieve free play on the clutch cable to verify that you have proper adjustment on the clutch cable pack, and check for the proper specs in your service manual for adjusting the primary chain (if your model has the adjustment window). If a clutch lever didn't have one of those adjustment wheels, I often would have to put slack in the cable so I could get the lever a bit closer to me. Disengagement of the clutch is typically achieved by a rod passing through the gearbox shaft applying opposite pressure to the pressure plate. will wear the plates quickly. Now that you understand why you may need to address your bike’s clutching system, you need to know how to perform a clutch cable adjustment. Loosen the clutch cable at the handlebar endwith the adjusting nut, to ensure that the ball-and-cam gizzer has nopressure on its cable end. Can also be another adjustment barrel down at the head, researching, recommending. Easy and straightforward, check the push rod is a multi-piece item separated by ball bearings ball-and-cam gizzer has on. Spring pressure, thereby disengaging the clutch cable and the clutch, the rod counters the spring pressure thereby! 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