Bye Clutch!

[Az]

So... I think my clutch is dead.

Riding along, there's traffic in front of me, so I slow down and pull my clutch in and bang it in first.
Before I reach the traffic I see that I can filter, so I go to release my clutch... and there's nothing there, it's just 100% play in my clutch lever. My lever felt as if my clutch cable wasn't attached/snapped.

I assumed my clutch cable had snapped, coasted to the side of the road and inspected. My cable was fine and there was tension at both ends, so it hasn't snapped in the middle either.

I call my RAC breakdown (courtesy of MCE ) and have it recovered home free of charge.
The breakdown guy seems to think it's the clutch that's gone.

What do BCF think my problem is? What parts do/may I need? Do I need a mechanic to do it, baring in mind I'm a complete mechanical noob?

[ripzay]

Assuming the Bandit 600 here based on my experience there are essentially 4 failure points.. And generally in this order:

1 clutch cable - which you have rules out.
2 springs / bolts
3 push rod (behind the front sprocket cover)
4 actuator worst (dunno proper name - on the front sprocket cover)

I'd check all 4 but start with the external ones (1,3,4) - just need to take the front sprocket cover off to check these. then take the clutch cover off and check the springs, bolts and washers, you can do this without dropping the oil on the Bandit if it is on the side stand.
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Current: 2005 KTM SuperDuke 990
Previous: 1996 Suzuki Bandit 600
Previous: 1994 Suzuki GSX-R 400

[Taught2BCauti...]

If you look at the gearbox end of the clutch cable, you should see where it turns a shaft that goes into the gearbox, as you squeeze the clutch lever with your hand.

It could be that this shaft, or the pushrod it connects with, has snapped inside the gearbox.

There are some videos on YouTube for "changing a motorcycle clutch" that will show you where these parts are and how they work.
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Az]

[Pete.]

Sounds like the release mechanism has gummed up solid or fell apart. Clutches don't usually 'go' just like that unless the basket fails or something. If you pulled the lever and it stayed in I'd look under the sprocket cover first.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Az]

[orac]

from past experience they little actuator thing behind the front sprocket cover fails.

were the cable attaches to it is were it normally fails

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-SUZUKI-GSF600-GSF-600-K4-BANDIT-2005-CLUTCH-WORM-ACTUATOR-FREE-UK-POST-/191342296674?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item2c8ce3be62
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[_Iain_]

If it's not the cable my moneys on the worm gear. Those things are pricks.
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[P.]

[Az]

Push rod was snapped in half although I can't see why the pushrod would cause there to be no tention in the clutch cable ?

Edit: also cleaned up the inside of my sprocket cover, as it was shockingly dirty. Putting it all back together in a bit to see what happens.

[P.]

The worm gear is likely overdue some serious grease anyway However... I wouldn't remove if its working, it can shit itself and go everywhere.

[Az]

[Pete.]

[Az]

[Pete.]

Ok so there's probably nothing wrong with your clutch pushrod, it doesn't pass through the engine in one piece anyway.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[_Iain_]

Unsure if helpful or not;

https://images.cmsnl.com/img/partslists/suzuki-gsf600-s-bandit-2000-2003-usa-clutch_bigsuusa93658_9033.gif
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Az]

I believe it's No.16 on that diagram snapped (it's roughly 8cm in length). It's been replaced now and the bikes all good.

Thanks for all the replies

[_Iain_]

[Az]