Clutch - On it's way out?

[Gobbie]

Hi,

The biting point on my 94 D6s is very close to the start of the lever travel i.e. I only have to pull the lever in about 1cm to be at the biting point. I've never felt any slip when riding but I'm wondering what my next move should be.

I'm pretty sure that the cable settings are fine......could be wrong! I don't believe the cable is pulling on the clutch at all when the lever is released.

The bike's done about 14k which I guess is a bit early to need a new clutch unless the previous owner used to ride around on the biting point. Should I just keep going as it is until I start to feel some slip, or is it likely to just let go unexpectedly?

While I'm on the subject, are clutchless gear changes a good or bad idea?

[El Fuego]

Nothing wrong with clutchless changes ... as long as you get them right.

[Padster]

That sounds OK for your cable. 92-95 models it is only 2-3mm of play. 1996 on it is 10-15mm of play according to the Haynes manual.

[Gobbie]

Oct 13, 2008 16:34:26 GMT Padster said:

That sounds OK for your cable. 92-95 models it is only 2-3mm of play. 1996 on it is 10-15mm of play according to the Haynes manual.

Hi,
Thanks for the info but in my thickness I don't follow you! What play do you mean?
I thought it would be more normal for the biting point to be near the middle of the lever travel, roughly, instead of right at the end.

[Padster]

The biting point is usually just before the lever is fully extended. If the biting point is in the middle of the travel it probably needs adjusting.

[suzukikidontheloose53]

I never had a bike for over twenty years and then when I bought my current divvy 600 1999, from a dealers, the clutch bit about halfway out which I thought must be normal and was easy enough to operate with;now that I have adjusted the clutch as per Haynes I need to let it out for miles before it bites,but am getting used to this and only pull it in a wee bit now when changing gear,nowhere near to the handlebar,lets me engage gears quicker;not sure yet if I'm happy with it like this but I guess it is just what U are used to

[Gobbie]

Thanks guys, that makes me a lot happier with the clutch. I thought it was about to pack in anyday!

[bobh]

Agree with Fluro - just fan the clutch when changing up, sort of semi-clutchless, particularly going up the top 4 ratios, which are fairly close. My Divvy 600 never really seemed to like clutchless changes, but I found fanning the clutch just as quick (unless you're REALLY going for it, in which case you should be on a track) and I'm sure it's kinder on the transmission.

[Gobbie]

Oct 14, 2008 19:34:34 GMT bobh said:

Agree with Fluro - just fan the clutch when changing up, sort of semi-clutchless, particularly going up the top 4 ratios, which are fairly close. My Divvy 600 never really seemed to like clutchless changes, but I found fanning the clutch just as quick (unless you're REALLY going for it, in which case you should be on a track) and I'm sure it's kinder on the transmission.

Yeah, I'm with you. I'm a pretty relaxed rider and still new to big bikes but clutchless changes seem pretty cool at the time! I know what you mean about fanning the clutch....not much movement needed, and I'm happy now that it's normal.

[darren]

its quite normal, trust me, you will know when a wet clutch is on its way out, but if eventually it does slip, then double check the cable isnt crudded up and sticking (just a tip)

[amorti]

If it slips, it'll do it first at max power and load - ie, top rev range in 6th. That's what mine did before I changed the plates.. If you ride relaxed, you wouldn't notice til it started slipping at high revs in other gears.

I wouldn't worry about it too much.