GSX-S1000F reduced clutch pull force

[MarJay]

Hello,

My GSX-S1000F is a commuter. My commute just happens to be into Central London. This means I spend a lot of time in lower gears trickling along, or a lot of the time at lights with the clutch in waiting for lights to change. For quite a while I've hoped to reduce the pressure required to pull the clutch but many of the solutions (such as a hydraulic conversion) are very expensive.

Then, I happened upon a Youtube video explaining how a GSXR600 or 750 clutch arm from 2011 onwards (L1) is about 6mm longer and reduces the force needed to pull the clutch. I just happen to have an L1 GSXR750, but I need the clutch arm for that bike. It did however allow me to take some measurements and check that it wasn't a completely ridiculous idea. I looked on Fowlers and the part itself was £64 new, which was a bit salty for a bit of metal, so I created a saved Ebay search and then waited.

A GSXR600 clutch arm was located but it came from Lithuania, and it cost a much more reasonable £25.

(not my picture but illustrative):

https://www.gsxs1000.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.gsxs1000.org/attachments/20240517_200056-jpg.53518/

Finally at the weekend I got around to fitting it. It's made a huge difference, and makes me grateful for the power of the internet, and the insistence of Suzuki to keep certain dimensions standard!

The clutch is now silky smooth and has a very light pull. I'm almost looking forward to my next commute so I can try it out!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[jeffyjeff]

6mm does not sound like much, but relative to the length of the OE clutch arm, it's significant. just eye balling the attached photograph, it looks like you have gained almost 20% mechanical advantage over stock. Good on you!
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[A100man]

Life's about the little wins
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Grumpy Grandad]

I was ''hoping'' to look smart by suggesting such a mod. But you beat me to it.

I saw the same suggestion on a Youtube clip, and some of the guys had just fabricated one.

Thought I might give it a go as if the Arthritis flares up it's a bugger on the clutch hand.

Glad you found a simple solution.

Cheers
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Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get interesting until about 75 mph.

[stinkwheel]

Also, don't underestimate the contibution of friction and stretch/compression in the cable. It's all taking energy from the desired result. A top-quality cable from venhill or similar can make a huge difference to the clutch action.

The clutch on my trials enfield was night and day different when I replaced the standard indian cable (made cheaply, to a budget, using the minimum quality materials that will effectively function) for a venhill one (made out of the best and most appropriate materials to do the job as well as it can).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Zen Dog]

I always wondered with cable clutches, how much difference it would make if you used those kevlar sheathed cables they used to put on high end mountain bikes.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[jeremyr62]

I swapped my GSXR1000AL6 OE cable for a Venhill featherlight cable to try to lower the clutch pull force when I broke my left hand in a crash. It made next to no difference for me unfortunately.