clutch

[peter bennett]

Hello out there i has just bought another africa twin, last had one 12 years ago, this one ive got now has a really strong clutch what i mean is when engaging the clutch lever on the handle bars its hard work and after several miles my arm begins to ace any suggestions on how to sort this

[Steve C]

Hey Peter and welcome back to the fold!

Would it be an idea to isolate the problem? Mine's smooth and easy to pull, so some thought out of my little brain are:

How much use has your bike had over the last year - do you know?

Is it stiff in both directions - ie both hard to pull in and slow to return when letting the lever out again?

Is the cable - dry, sticking?

Or the lever?

Or is it the clutch itself?

[YEN_POWELL]

Hello out there i has just bought another africa twin, last had one 12 years ago, this one ive got now has a really strong clutch what i mean is when engaging the clutch lever on the handle bars its hard work and after several miles my arm begins to ace any suggestions on how to sort this

Sounds like Lord Vaders partially seized clutch cable. he must have had arms like Arnie Swharzenthingy to pull that lever in. Try a new cable.

[peter bennett]

Hello it looks like its my clutch cable at £12 from local bike shop am gonna get a new one regards peter

[Mutley]

Make sure the cable is also routed the correct way Peter.

It can be very awkward to get it back into the original position but it will help. I didn't spend enough time fiddling with mine and it does feel stiff even though it's a new cable.

There are also several thoughts on whether or not to grease/oil the cable or just give it a squirt of WD40. It should really be free enough so the oil would 'probably' only collect crap and help slow the action down.

[YEN_POWELL]

Make sure the cable is also routed the correct way Peter.

It can be very awkward to get it back into the original position but it will help. I didn't spend enough time fiddling with mine and it does feel stiff even though it's a new cable.

There are also several thoughts on whether or not to grease/oil the cable or just give it a squirt of WD40. It should really be free enough so the oil would 'probably' only collect crap and help slow the action down.

I chuck engine oil down mine every few months (just drip it down the adjuster, don't take it off or anything) and it keeps it like new, until the day it snaps or I spot it unravelling at the lower end, years later.

[Steve C]

Hello it looks like its my clutch cable at £12 from local bike shop am gonna get a new one regards peter

Good news Peter!

[Mutley]

I chuck engine oil down mine every few months (just drip it down the adjuster, don't take it off or anything) and it keeps it like new, until the day it snaps or I spot it unravelling at the lower end, years later.

A bit of time & patience is all it needs. The 1st snapped last year at the bottom as I hadn't noticed it fraying on the outer sheath as it came out at an angle. The second melted on the exhaust as it was misplaced so this new one now runs outside of the frame to keep it away from the exhaust but thelie of the cable doesn't help with smooth running of the inner. Just lazy to be honest!!

A cable running in clean oil is the way to go...