Very heavy clutch

[P.]

Hey

The clutch on the GSXR is becoming an absolute bugger to pull in now.

The physical lever is so hard it gives me insane cramp in town. Cable is new, levers are new... only bought a new cable as it looked on its way out and I attributed it to the heaviness.

I tried the clutch on a friends Thundercat yesterday, 1 finger was so comfortable and easy... GSXR needs 2 strong fingers at minimum to even move it

Any ideas what I can look at... its probably due an oil change, but that wouldn't cause too much issues would it?

[serlant]

tip it on the left hand side and take the clutch cover off and have a look around see if anythings amiss, you've done the usual suspects, apart from the cable possibly getting pinched/bent when the bars are straight or to the right?
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04 CBR1000RR, 1995 Husqvarna TE410, 1998 VTR1000(Sold), 1990 XJ600(sold), 1996 KH125(dead and sold)

[P.]

Cable is all gravy, nowhere for it to pinch...runs outside the frame between the fairing to the clutch

Was thinking of draining the oil and removing the clutch cover...unsure what to look at

[MarkJ]

Has it always been heavy or has it developed?

[P.]

Always been somewhat heavy...just having ridden the 125 around a lot and then sitting on mates YZF... mine is far too stiff in comparison. Girlfriend cant pull it in at all...

[G]

I'd try lubing the cable as the first thing.
Lots of daily use will get water etc in to the cable, leading to corrosion, etc.

[MarkJ]

Yeah lube the cable. You did lube the new cable all the way through before putting it on, didn't you?

Then I'd try disconnecting the cable from the arm at the clutch end, and seeing how freely the lever moves without it connected. Might be able to see it pulling that way. Could even be something daft like the lever being too tight in the bracket, maybe.

[P.]

[P.]

[Fizzer Thou]

Does the clutch cable attach to a lifting mechanism on the left hand side of the engine, which then actuates a pushrod through the gearbox?
If this is the case,remove the lifter and the pushrod,clean and lubricate.Roll the pushrod on a sheet of glass to make sure that it is straight.Clean with a green scotchbrite pad or emery cloth.I use moly grease to lubricate pushrods,but others say to just use engine oil.

I have seen this on several other bikes and it is surprising how much crud can get thrown off the gearbox sprocket and onto the pushrod and seal.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[G]

Oops, my bad for not reading half the post!

[Chalky.]

Softcock

MTFU

[P.]

[Chalky.]

[Fizzer Thou]

[Kickstart]

Hi

If new I would avoid lubing it given a fair chance it is a nylon lined cable.

If there are no sharp bends in the cable, with a new cable and greased pivots (assuming the correct pivot bolts are used, and a normal bolt tightened right up and pinching the lever) then I would go with a build up on crud on the clutch pushrod under the sprocket cover.

Of course, could just be some previous owner has fitted heavy duty springs.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[P.]

Thanks

edit due to kickstart... lol I'll lube the cable anyway...but i'll also tackle this housing and post updates

Heavy clutch doesnt help the wheelies... trying to pull it in enough to slip it is impossbile (ok not impossible...but you need a damn good grip)