Motorcycle clutch feels loose. Kind of like a tire on a car with low air pressure.

Motorcycle clutch feels loose. but they had my bike for like 30 minutes before I got the call and they said something was completely loose. When you shift on a bad clutch, it feels chunky and dry, accompanied by a metal clunking sound and bike jerk every time you shift. Now if my accessories would just come in! Motorcycle clutch will not fully engage when pulled in. A faulty clutch wire will cause a motorcycle to jerk when shifting the gear. Wayne S When I go into a turn I feel a vibration from the front end. This mainly causes slippage and a loss of power during acceleration, among many other potential issues. Wayne S A slipping motorcycle clutch is a dangerous problem that can make even the best motorcycles feel sluggish. thanks!! Battling a clutch that feels too “grabby” or too loose can ruin a race or a day of riding. Bike feels somewhat jerky when letting out clutch, could this mean time for a new clutch or just bad shifting Loose chain can cause excess drive line lash. I decided to replace. That's where I'd investigate before diving into the clutch. A loose clutch lever can stem from a range of issues, from simple wear and tear to more complex mechanical failures. . anybody have ideas or experiences with this? let me know. Sometime the normal wear just makes it feel different. Locate the Clutch Lever: Find the clutch lever assembly on the handlebars. of every bike they service and let me know of all issues minor or major and one of the things they mentioned was the clutch lever being loose. If it's too loose then you won't fully disengage at full pull. Understanding the root causes can save you from costly repairs down the line. But first, a quick refresher on clutch basics. a loose clutch is better than one that is too tight. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, off-road, touring, street bikes, and more! You can manually adjust it easily. but now it seems to be drive related Goldwing Technical Forum General Motorcycle Loose clutch lever . With the lever in, does the rattle speed up when you give it some gas? The only thing i can think of is that something is rattling when pressure is relieved during that time, and goes away when the clutch is back in play- re-aserting that rear feels too loose. Without the clutch cable, there would be no point in having a clutch handle. When I'm pushing the bike around in gear with the clutch lever fully pulled, it feels like it's still kind of in gear, especially compared to when I just push it around in neutral. I have a 2009 gsxr 600 with 6k on clock. I checked the pressures and they are 35 front 40 rear. I believe my clutch plates are pretty worn though. it has under 4k miles on it. Visible Fraying Or Damage To The Cable Also note, this will alter the point at which your clutch grabs, the sensation and timing will change a bit, be prepared for this. com - Kawasaki Motorcycle Forum. Here's what could be causing clutch slippage. Rule of thumb. Spiegler lines, Galfer 310mm wave rotors and wave rear rotor, custom rear return spring, Verseys slipper clutch mod, Apex 4 inch bars, Sargent seat, Zero Gravity windscreen, Driven grips, Fuze Blocks fuse box, Ram mount GPS holder, Custom LED tail light with Blaster X, Custom Led T/S flasher, right angle valve stems This issue can be caused by a loose clutch cable. If the clutch plates have gone bad, you’ll notice the following symptoms- In this article, we will discuss what causes motorcycle clutch lever to get loose Motorcycle clutch problems may manifest through symptoms such as slipping, difficulty shifting When you're out on the road, your motorcycle's clutch lever is your lifeline to smooth gear Adjusting your motorcycle clutch-lever free play and why it’s important. Hello, 1980 Suzuki gs550 motorcycle. Basically if it's too tight it may not engage fully and damage the clutch. Dirt, In this article, we will go through 9 major reasons why your motorcycle clutch is You could be using too much oil or the wrong kind. This looseness would reduce the amount the plates are pulled apart when the lever is fully pulled in. Kawasaki Motorcycle Parts: Babbitt's Sports Center, Muskegon, MI Of course it's always a good idea to have a Factory Service Manual for your bike. The most common reason why your motorcycle is stalling even with the clutch handle pulled in is because your clutch cable stretches over time and becomes loose. Check for loose nut between seat and handlebar. When put in first gear and the As an example, you can see and hear the issue we were having with this 1996 Suzuki Intruder 800 in our video “How To Restore a $1,000 Motorcycle - Ep. Motorcycle Models Where This Worked: Suzuki Intruder 1500, 2004; Harley Davidson models (various years) Indian Roadmaster, 2016 It should free-wheel with the clutch pulled and there shouldn't be resistance; the wheel rotating is normal though because, as another user said, there is still some small amount of resistance, but looking at how that rear wheel engaged so quickly like that, it seems to me that the clutch cable is a bit loose, so when you pull the clutch maybe it's not fully disengaging. Once worn, the metal clutch cable won’t hold its tension Nothing in the drive train is going to make the rear feel loose. 2010 Midnight Cherry XR. Whether Poor clutch input is most commonly the result of rider error or habit—when the The initial sign that your motorcycle clutch is defective is the sound and feel of Contaminated clutch fluid can lead to a dragging clutch on a motorcycle. Then, when I change lanes, the front end feels loose. Signs that your clutch may need adjustment include difficulty shifting gears, slipping or jerking when you release the clutch, and a clutch lever that feels loose or tight. When clasped together, the plates don’t rotate. 7Jurock, Lloydz AF, ATS, AFR tuned VFCIII, IAV, and T-6 and locally repacked pipes = big smiles. Related: Motorcycle Clutch Won’t Disengage: 12 Reasons (Explained) 11. If the clutch lever suddenly feels different it may mean that the clutch cable is worn and should be examined for replacement. at first it felt like a flat. when I check the sight glass I am holding the motorcycle up right but Testing the clutch operation confirms your adjustment is correct. Remove the left frame cover, the secondary gear case cover, & the clutch release cover. The purpose of clutch plates on a motorcycle is to disengage the drive train (gearbox) from the engine crankshaft. RiderForums. A misadjusted clutch cable will cause issues with the functioning of the clutch plates for sure. The tension feels good on the clutch but the clutch does. So, please replace your clutch wire if it feels too tight or loose when pressing the clutch lever. Motorcycle Engine Overheating The first way to tell if your motorcycle clutch is bad is by listening to and getting a feel for the revs. Start your bike and pull the clutch lever. 3. Overheating or Seized Motor. Good luck. Internal or external damage to the cylinder can cause the hydraulic fluid to leak out and it simply will not perform properly once the fluid is too low. kind of a shuddering until i get to speed. Come in and talk about your favorite model. If the tension of the clutch lever is too loose, it can become difficult to control the motorcycle. I don't know that motorcycle exactly but that torque difference isn't going to cause it to slip for a ft lb or two as long as the bolts are seated and hey, i have a 95 ex500. The last sign I’ll mention that indicates your motorcycle clutch is bad is if you simply can’t get the bike to go into gear at all. Motorcycle Repair, Building, and Restoration I feel like there's even more free play in the clutch lever then there should be but it still likes to pop loose. Any section of the clutch cable where it is damaged will also make the lever feel spongy and unresponsive. A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. feels like im starting in second gear. Be polite to your fellow's and keep all posts motorcycle related (examples are stories and pictures with your bike, riding equipment not needed for a nice vanity pic) the moderation here will be light as long as it is on point. Stiff or Spongy Clutch: If the motorcycle clutch lever feels unusually stiff or spongy, it’s a sign that the cable might be fraying and can cause friction inside the cable housing. The process of adjusting the clutch on a motorcycle to ensure smooth shifting and proper Battling a clutch that feels too “grabby” or too loose can ruin a race or a day of riding. 2” at around the six-minute mark. Don't Engage the Clutch at Stoplights Here's a simple rule: at a red light or stop, keep it in neutral and use the brake. " 2017 Spyder F3 Limited - keeps this old guy in the wind and riding with friends. Kind of like a tire on a car with low air pressure. Clutch cable too loose and out of adjustment. There will be a small gap between the clutch plates and this will cause your motorcycle clutch to slip and not deliver the much-needed You see that metal circle with cutouts on the edge - just next to the clutch lever - holding the clutch cable - spin it out tightening the clutch. It’s kind of annoying honestly. To tell if your motorcycle clutch is bad, you’ll need to look for signs such as unexplained high The effects of a worn or burnt clutch on motorcycle performance and safety are When your motorcycle clutch is not engaging, you may notice the following symptoms: Difficulty 1. Handy Tips: Combine this check with other routine maintenance tasks like oil checks or chain adjustments for efficiency. Hello. When you squeeze the clutch lever, it pulls a strong steel cable that connects to the clutch mechanism inside the transmission. When you release the clutch lever, it pulls those plates together. Noticed yesterday after pulling into the garage and shutting off the bike that the clutch lever almost feels loose when fully disengaged and in the resting position. Bought a new clutch kit from Rocky Mountain ATV. Velimir Zeland/Shutterstock. Take a test ride and feel out the clutch lever. If you experience any of these issues, it’s time to adjust your clutch. The clutch adjustment seems OK, I guess, but i still wonder if it got knocked loose so that the plates seperte too uch somehow. Tighten if Necessary: If any bolt feels loose, tighten it to the manufacturer’s recommended torque. Shifting still feels clunkier than it did on the test ride but I'll take it. Too tight can lead to incomplete engagement and burning. 1M posts 52K members Since 2001 Rider forum is a community for motorcyclists including both street and track riders. It’s a clutch adjuster. In most loose clutch cases with a hydraulic system, it is a probably an issue with the master cylinder. But there's a bit of room in between the two A slipping motorcycle clutch is a dangerous problem that can make even the best motorcycles feel sluggish. The lever should feel smooth and engage the clutch properly without slipping or sticking. like i said. Tightening the clutch handle nut can take up some of that slack and make your clutch function properly again. Every time you pull the clutch handle you’re stretching that thin cable. If it’s not loose because of that get an aftermarket clutch lever But what if it starts feeling loose? It’s not just an annoyance—it could signal a problem that needs immediate attention. If problems persist, retrace your steps to ensure the adjustment is accurate. Squeeze the clutch lever multiple times to assess the new cable tension. Here's how to keep it smooth when the going gets tough: 4. Aim Trust me, your clutch feels the stress too. To adjust loosen the locknut on the clutch lever and play with the Adjuster to get it where it feels right to you. The function of a clutch is to disengage the gearbox from the crankshaft for smoother shifting. I just got a 2013 Ducati hypermotard a few days ago and I'm not noticing that the clutch feels a bitwrong. 14. Loose enough that it seems capable of rattling. its hard to explain the noise, but it kinda sounds like something tapping the gas tank from underneath, kinda like metal lightly tapping metal. As Lem mentions in the video, a slipping clutch is identified by twisting the throttle as if you were trying to pass another vehicle and noticing your engine’s rpms increasing without The brake is fine, but the clutch feels loose and I’m not sure why as it wasn’t like that before I changed it. Clutch Dragging: When the clutch cable has severe fraying or is completely broken, then it will not disengage the clutch plates resulting in a clutch drag. A tip I saw was to have 2 credit cards worth of gap where the clutch meets the housing when slack. ; Adjust the Screw: Turn the adjustment screw clockwise to increase engagement or counterclockwise to decrease it. The other cause for this issue is worn/malfunctioning springs in the clutch assembly. Common Reasons for While there are many possible reasons why your motorcycle clutch could feel stiff or hard to First, loosen the locknut on the barrel adjuster, which can typically be done by If your motorcycle has a slipping clutch you could notice at higher rpm while The Clutch Lever Feels Loose Or Spongy. This can be caused by a loose clutch cable or malfunctioning springs. 2010 1800 pearl yellow not sure. Maybe that would explain why I can't tighten it up like I want it because when the lever is a smidge looser than I want it, it doesn If your clutch cable is out of adjustment, with too little tension or slack, your motorcycle clutch may fail to disengage on time when you pull the clutch lever. Professional motorcycle mechanic since 1978. Shift through the gears while riding slowly to check for any issues. could be the clutch slipping. Damage to the clutch cable nipple end or the clutch wire attached to the nipple end can cause loose or spongy clutch lever feel. Conversely, if the lever feels loose, tighten it incrementally. The clutch lever seems to have a lot of vertical play compared to the one it replaced (also aftermarket, cheap one from the previous owner). ; Loosen the Lock Nut: Using an open-end wrench, carefully loosen the lock nut on the adjustment screw located near the clutch lever. The most difficult part of the entire process is pulling the tab away from the cable barrel at the engine side, so I wanted as much slack to work with as possible when I got to that step. Ensure that there’s a slight free play in the lever – about an eighth of an inch is often recommended. Feels like cable is broken but it not. 2,474 Satisfied Customers. I replaced the clutch because I burned out the previous one trying to go up this hill with lots of baby heads and loose stuff. Adjusting the Clutch Lever. Come join the discussion about performance Nothing in the drive train is going to make the rear feel loose. Almost like I'm slipping the clutch. I began at the lever and worked my way down. I replaced the clutch cable on my 1980 gs550 and feels like the clutch is really loose, how do I correct this? - Answered by a verified Motorcycle Mechanic. Sometimes, it is simply a worn seal that needs to be replaced. If the action feels too tight, give it a little more slack; If it’s too easy to pull in, reduce the slack of hair until shifting feels smooth. SOLD to a dear friend, so it's still in the family. Reactions: Inpitt/Mac50. Defective Clutch Plates. This clutch wire runs from the clutch handle at the top, all the way down to the transmission case at the bottom. Any help is much appreciated. Doug E. There are two ways to adjust the clutch lever free play: using the adjuster on the side of the lever, or through the adjuster found under the Hey guys, my clutch lever is pretty loose on it's vertical axis, as in when moving he lever up and down theres a lot of wiggle room. Testing the clutch operation confirms your adjustment is correct. Note: All clutch cables wear out eventually, whether from everyday use, moisture, heat, etc. recently ive begun to gear this funny noise when im reving while holding the clutch or releasing the clutch. It doesn’t particularly matter at which end you start. As an example, you can see and hear the issue we were having with this 1996 Suzuki Intruder 800 in our video “How To Restore a $1,000 Motorcycle - Ep. Marco A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. 5. Motorcycle Models Where This Worked: Suzuki Intruder 1500, 2004; Harley Davidson models (various years) Indian Roadmaster, 2016 Remove the Old Cable. There’s no set standard for how long a clutch should last in a motorcycle but 20,000 to 50,000 miles Your motorcycle’s clutch is a crucial component in managing the transition between gears. but now it seems to be drive related Goldwing Technical Forum General Motorcycle A motorcycle clutch contains clutch plates, generally five or six. To adjust the clutch, loosen the lock nut on the clutch lever, and turn the adjuster all the way in. On the clutch assemblly (lower end of cable) there is a If the clutch lever suddenly feels different it may mean that the clutch cable is worn and should be examined for replacement. If it feels rough, hard or Jerky to shift, then you're adjusted too far, likewise if it's too loose if you let out on the lever and the clutch doesn't engage smoothly, or The clutch cable being too tight will cause the clutch lever to not completely extend resulting in the motorcycle clutch not engaging fully. loose clutch / vertical movement? Jump to Latest 2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by jrw69 Oct 5, 2012 Just installed some ASV C5 levers on my 2015 SFV. Getting it just right depends on the frictional properties of your motor oil. As Lem mentions in the video, a slipping clutch is identified by twisting the throttle as if you were trying to pass another vehicle and noticing your engine’s rpms increasing without I replaced the clutch cable on my 1980 gs550 and feels like the clutch is really loose, how do I correct this? - Answered by a verified Motorcycle Mechanic. Keeping the clutch engaged while idling is like sending out an invitation for mechanical trouble. Lesson learned. Overheating can occur between clutch When you ride your motorcycle and the clutch is slipping, it can feel like your bike is losing If a motorcycle clutch slips it simply means that the plates inside the clutch assembly can’t What It Means When A Motorcycle Clutch Not Engaging. I recently transported it by trailer with straps placing pressure on top of handlebars holding it down. There is a problem with the clutch. It works fine in terms of engaging the clutch etc, but it just feels like an excessive amount of wiggle room vertically.