Stiff Clutch Cable

[Guest]

I am wondering IF it is still. I can pull it in ok, I could probably pull it in 25 times in a row, but my hand would be tired. I'm going to change the throttle cable, I'm wondering if may be I should change the clutch cable too. how stiff should it be? should it be uniformly stiff? I find mine is pretty easy half way, and then gets a little.. well.. stiff. If someone can give me an idea of how stiff is too stiff, then maybe i can compare. may be a force measurement?

The cable retracts just fine, and looking through the oil cap, the clutch looks pretty good too.

I just bought my 1981 GSX400L in November. It had been sitting for about 12 years. the clutch works fine (I did a few burn outs on the old back tire).

I haven't really looked, but I'm not sure whats invovled in changing a clutch cable. someone give me a briefing?

I'm also wondering, if the cable isn't binding anywhere, then could this be an indicator of another problem?

Am I jsut whining and being a wimp?

Thanks for the help!

[Billyboy]

Maybe you fried your clutch doing your burnouts.

Kidding. But still, maybe.

Changing a cable is easy. Unclip it from the clutch, unscrew it from the case, pull it off the lever. Reverse with new.

[Nicholaschase29]

I just replaced mine. Take it off from the lever and from where it connects to the cover, and see if it slides back and forth easily, if it binds and is gummed up, get a new one. A new one is only $11... well for my bike anyway, not a fortune.
Nick

[BentRod]

Thanks guys!

[tfb]

1. Try lubricating the clutch cable. With time they get dry and this will make the operation stiffer.
2. Check the routing of the cable. Any tight bends should be avoided.
3. It could be that you have heavy-duty springs in your clutch. These are sometimes put in when the clutch starts slipping with age. I put new plates in my Kat1100 clutch, and used standard clutch springs... now I don't need forearms like Popeye.

[Road_Clam]

I am wondering IF it is still. I can pull it in ok, I could probably pull it in 25 times in a row, but my hand would be tired. I'm going to change the throttle cable, I'm wondering if may be I should change the clutch cable too. how stiff should it be? should it be uniformly stiff? I find mine is pretty easy half way, and then gets a little.. well.. stiff. If someone can give me an idea of how stiff is too stiff, then maybe i can compare. may be a force measurement?

The cable retracts just fine, and looking through the oil cap, the clutch looks pretty good too.

I just bought my 1981 GSX400L in November. It had been sitting for about 12 years. the clutch works fine (I did a few burn outs on the old back tire).

I haven't really looked, but I'm not sure whats invovled in changing a clutch cable. someone give me a briefing?

I'm also wondering, if the cable isn't binding anywhere, then could this be an indicator of another problem?

Am I jsut whining and being a wimp?

Thanks for the help!

Another source for clutch binding is the needle bearing inside the clutch cover. If moisture seeped down the clutch arm shaft, the bearing needles could be siezed.

[jimcor]

I'm not familiar with the actuating assembly in the case of the 400,but the 550 also has a grease nipple under the clutch adjustment cover on the left side of the engine. Shot of whatever grease is in the gun evey now and then keeps operation smooth. Ignore it and pull in is OK, but release is jerky and is guaranteed to make you look like you've never been on bike before.