clutch cable conundrum.

[Guest]

Okay, here's the story so far; I recently bought a '77 GS750E with flat bars fitted and the clutch didn't bite until right at the end of the lever travel so i adjusted the mechanism in the casing and then had so much slack in the cable that even with both adjusters on their last threads there was a hideous amount of slack and the clutch wouldn't disengage and the operation felt 'juddery' and stiff when the lever was pulled in. I replaced the cluth cable (having first oiled it) and made sure it takes a sweeping route to the casing with no sharp bends but absolutely no change at all, still way too much slack in the cable and still feeling 'juddery' on the lever.
Advice and ideas very welcome. Thanks.

[hampshirehog]

Is your bike missing the spring down at the operating lever? That should be pulling all the slack out.

[Nessism]

Sounds like you misadjusted the clutch. I'd turn-in the cable adjustments on both ends all the way, and then take the slack out with adjustment at the clutch actuator. The service manual clearly details how to make this adjustment. You do have a manual right?

[SVSooke]

If you don't here's the link http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/...arly8valve.pdf You did get BassCliff's Mega Welcome didn't you?

[boggart]

Yup, done that.

Sounds like you misadjusted the clutch. I'd turn-in the cable adjustments on both ends all the way, and then take the slack out with adjustment at the clutch actuator. The service manual clearly details how to make this adjustment. You do have a manual right?

I had a GS750 years ago and i always adjusted the clutch exactly as you describe, by winding right in both cable adjusters and having done the actuator adjustment as per the manual (loosen locknut, screw in 'til resistance is felt then back off a 1/4 - 1/2 turn & lock in place) and then taken up the main cable slack with the casing adjustment and fine tuned it with the handlebar one and this is what i did on the GS i got now but something's not playing ball and it's a tad annoying!

[boggart]

It's there!

Is your bike missing the spring down at the operating lever? That should be pulling all the slack out.

Hi. yup, the spring's there (almost wish it wasn't!). I had a GS750 for about two years or more way back when and was no stranger to getting down and dirty with it so when i got this one i didn't even need to to consort with the manual to adjust the clutch.
I've resorted to holding the manual up to the bike to show it i'm doing everything right and it should work and in case the bike can't read i've even read out the adjustment instuctions to it but no dice, but you literaly have just now got me wondering if the spring's all sprung out and needs replacing so thanks for the inspiration and it's back into the garage tomorrow for spring inspection.

[Nessism]

Sounds like something is wrong with the actuator mechanism. I'd say it's time to remove it and make sure it's not binding up. The adjustment at the set screw should be able to remove all the cable slack, unless for some reason you have the wrong cable.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. boggart,

You should find a manual on my little website. That will have the proper adjustment procedure in it.

And I don't think I have properly welcomed you to the forum. Forgive my delay.

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BassCliff

[boggart]

I'm going in!

Sounds like something is wrong with the actuator mechanism. I'd say it's time to remove it and make sure it's not binding up. The adjustment at the set screw should be able to remove all the cable slack, unless for some reason you have the wrong cable.

looking at the mechanism is my next step, as for wrong cable, it's like buying any replacement part for a bike, you give the make and model and trust they send the right bit. I considered a shorte cable but i'm positive that when i fitted flat bars to the other 750 i used to have i didn't need to change the cabe, not even when i went the other way and fitted t-bars (it was a phase i went through, okay?).

[boggart]

All it took was a set of new friction plates to sort that cable out and notta a one of you GS genius's thought of that!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

All it took was a set of new friction plates to sort that cable out and notta a one of you GS genius's thought of that!

I'm happy you got it working properly. Thanks for letting us know.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff