Clutch cable, lube and lube tool?

[littleroot]

Do it! Either get a full set of OEM springs or get a set of aftermarket ones & use 50% of them with 50% of the ones in there now (this gives a slightly heavier clutch & more "push" at the clutch end).

Don't buy all aftermarket & fit them - the clutch will be REALLY heavy. I currently use 50/50 in my GS (I found that even all new OEM could slip even though all plates & fibres are well in spec - old age I suspect!)

Don't forget you'll need a cover gasket for that side too. It's a 20 min job (basically get the cover off, undo one bolt at a time & replace them with a new spring then replace the cover) & you don't even have to drain the oil, just do it on the sidestand.

Sounds good. Yeah, my 821100GL came with Barnett springs in a baggie which the PO said were too strong for him. Not sure if they are the same for the 801100E or if I should even try because they are so strong.

Thanks for the recommendation and the reminder for the gasket!! I got an extra gasket already one for my 821100GL, I have to check if they are the same - I doubt it, from memory the covers are pretty different.

[tkent02]

Go with stock springs, they are plenty.

[Baatfam]

Go with stock springs, they are plenty.

+1...

New stock OEM springs and a new OEM cable...all good.

[koolaid_kid]

Wow, once a week. So I guess you do it with only removing the ball end from the lever?

Thanks for the recommendation

Yes, you can lube the cable with it still on the bike. Just watch for fluid out the other end (which has a towel under it, of course). Once a week is a bit overkill, IMHO, unless you ride a whole lot every week in really dusty conditions.

[barnbiketom]

What I meant was...

I use it on SOMETHING probably once a week. or maybe every other...I can't stand a hard clutch pull hahaha

4 or 5 bikes , 4 4 wheelers, step son's bike and 4 wheelers and various customer's stuff.. it's in the front, upper right drawer of my tool box..

on any given bike like my GS400. I do it maybe a couple times a summer or whenever it gets to not feeling good anymore. It takes only a couple minutes!!

When you spray the lube in.. you do it until you HEAR squirting and gushing on the other end if it is inside a housing like on the clutch. Front brake you see and hear it coming out.

[littleroot]

I used to drip machine oil, now I use a cable luber, much quicker.
Yes, you must lube the cable prior to installation.
No, it has nothing to do with clutch slippage. If any effect is felt at all, the clutch will be more difficult to use. Once the strands start to break, the cable starts to stretch.
You need to replace the tired clutch springs with new OEM clutch springs.
Z1 carries Motion Pro cables, not OEM.

Thanks Koolaid_kid

So is Z1 only aftermarket?

[salty_monk]

Yes, most of Z1's stuff is aftermarket.

[koolaid_kid]

There was one time when I ordered a cable from Z1 for my KZ750E. It did not fit properly. I spoke to Jeff and he ordered an OEM cable all the way from Japan because no dealer stocked it here in the states. It fit perfectly.
That is just another reason why I deal with Z1 whenever possible; they go the extra mile for you.

[bluewool]

Check your lever pivot also if the hole or bolt are no longer round replace it.

[Nessism]

The OEM Suzuki clutch cable has a plastic liner so there is no metal to metal contact, thus no real lubrication requirements. The cable is shipped dry, and no lube is needed before installing. The factory Suzuki service manual doesn't call for lubing the cable either (as near as I can find in the manual anyway). After some years of use a shot of lube may smooth it out a little, but if the cable is dragging it's time for a new one. A new OEM cable is a thing of beauty too, very smooth to pull and well worth the nominal expense.