Clutch

[Fred the Zed]

Fred the Shed has been laid up a year and now the clutch is very stiff. It was a bit heavy a while ago but now its ridiculous.
Its been away for a rewire and the clutch cover has been off so the starter can be checked. What's the most likely cause of the stiff lever? Can the cover been taken off and not put back correctly cause it?
Or is it just a dry cable and the ramp mechanism needing a spot of grease?

I'm looking to get a PMC Easy-Clutch to make it more pleasant to ride anyway but your advice is sought so I'm not fiddling around all day looking for the cause.

All the best

Fred

[kz900B1]

it could well be a dry or frayed cable as its in 2 pieces with an adjuster in the middle water can penetrate this and cause corrosion .Well worth taking it off and giving the cable and worm gear a clean and lube.

[Pigford]

As above - get a new cable..... Needs to be fixed before getting a "PMC Easy-Clutch" as that will just mask the problem.

My project bike has sticky plates.... action is light & smooth but clutch doesn't release as been standing so long

[KeithZ1R]

careful with replacement cables cos some of the pattern ones are far too long for a shed and you end up with a sharp 90 degree bend at the bottom that makes it stiff and bind by default take the cable off and look for sharpish kinks if you find one try and straighten it a wee bit, invest in a cable oiler they are pennies and make a huge difference the last bit is ensure the push screw in the casing is clean and free, but far and away the biggest cause is a convoluted cable run....good luck

[DavidZ1R]

Mine went very stiff last year, now now none of that please, then on a ride out the bugger snapped, as been said get a new one, some new cables must not be oiled,.

[Fred the Zed]

Thanks for your advice guys.... in between chores today I've whipped the cover off and found that the cable is frayed around the last 1/2 inch inside the cover.

Initially I thought 'problem solved' but then thoughts I'd better see if the clutch push rod moves.... I slipped a nut spinner / t-bar over the exposed end of the clutch push rod and gave it a hefty push and I can't budge it a mm.

Question - does this mean that the clutch plates are seized up or would you not expect to be able to depress the push rod by hand?

If it is the plates.... how much of a job is it to replace them?

Fred

[PAULJAC47]

Pull the rod out and lube,you can see if plates are seperating through oil filler hole,you can sometimes carefully pry apart through oil hole with blunt screwdriver.

[Fred the Zed]

Pull the rod out and lube,you can see if plates are seperating through oil filler hole,you can sometimes carefully pry apart through oil hole with blunt screwdriver.

The push rod is well greased already...

[z1bman]

you would have to have the strength of the incredible hulk to move the push rod the way you are trying to move it . it needs leverage. your problem is probably a dry clutch lifter or the cable

[Fred the Zed]

you would have to have the strength of the incredible hulk to move the push rod the way you are trying to move it . it needs leverage. your problem is probably a dry clutch lifter or the cable

Good advice. I'll change the cable first and see how it goes.

All the best

Fred

[walshyco]

https://www.z1enterprises.com/product/PM72-230 I think this link will work if it does this is a great piece of kit worth every penny I have bought three now if you also fit a new cable it will feel like a hydraulic clutch.

[Fred the Zed]

https://www.z1enterprises.com/product/PM72-230 I think this link will work if it does this is a great piece of kit worth every penny I have bought three now if you also fit a new cable it will feel like a hydraulic clutch.

Cheers Walshyco

Thats the exact kit that I was looking at. I was going to order it from Webike in Japan... or Saisei ... or off ebay

Thanks for the tip

Fred