Heavy Clutch - start with the obvious.

[Franc]

Have a long list of things I’m doing on the 750 SF, largely minor annoyances but today I got round to the clutch which I found very heavy. I’d already convinced myself that the cut in the casing and extended arm was the way forward. But having previously read what others have said about old cables and dismissed it because they look - outer is good and the bit of inner at the lever end looks shiny! But Actually disconnected to find the Inner coated in a sticky toffee paste - Presumably old grease and dried CRC residue. Rigged up a mini funnel sealed with tape and blew through with brake cleaner solvent left for a while and repeated. So much gunge! Gave it an hour and flushed with ptfe lubricant.

Reassembled and it’s a whole different clutch, so whoever said check your cables. on the old post I read, it’s true, couldn’t imagine it would make that big a difference. Done the same routine with throttle, front brake and the short rear.

I’m assuming the ptfe lubricant won’t go sticky but if it’s a six monthly maintenance job for an hour probably worth it. with the effort previously needed it has probably weakened the ends so should I replace anyway. Any recommendations on new cables? I’ve made cables up before From the Venhill kit but is ready made better in this case?

Franc

S

 

[1200ts]

Be careful with using solvent to clean the cable and the type of lube used if it has a plastic liner. I have seen on a few occasions it causing the liner to swell up and eventually the cable locks up. What type of plastic liner these cables had, I don't know. I have never had this problem on any of my bikes.

It it has a PTFE liner, you can pretty much use anything. Nylon is resistant to many chemicals but not all.

My cable lube of choice is speedometer cable lube. It is a very thin oil with graphite in it.

 

[Paul Marx]

Silicon lube is the way to go with cables. All control cables. Keep away from petroleum products which just become a grinding paste and make a mess of liners anyway.

Paul

 

[piranha-bro2]

Does silicone tend to dry out and lose its slippericity, Paul?

 

[Laverda SF]

Heavy Clutch Lever: I hang my Brake and Clutch cables - Tape on a funnel at the top - Use a mineral oil like Varsol for a 1st flush - Blow out with air then soap water then drain ATF fluid through the cables for a couple of days (a Teflon fluid so work as well) - You do not want to damage the Teflon linings of the cables.

If you have cracks in the cables Heat Shrink does wonders to stop leaks ;o)

A heavy clutch leaver can also be a sign that your clutch pack needs to be cleaned - Sticky Clutch syndrome.

Every 5 years should do it.

 

[Franc]

Thanks now I know it’s a cable issue I’ll start with a new clutch cable and periodically maintain Iy

 

[chrisk]

Thanks now I know it’s a cable issue I’ll start with a new clutch cable and periodically maintain Iy

Is all right Frank, look at it every five years or so.

 

[Paul Marx]

Does silicone tend to dry out and lose its slippericity, Paul?

It dries out but stays slippery, not collecting muck.
I use it on carb slides as well.

Paul

 

[piranha-bro2]

It dries out but stays slippery, not collecting muck.
I use it on carb slides as well.

Paul

It resists fuel as well???

 

[Paul Marx]

It resists fuel as well???

Certainly not in the long run. But long enough to feel the difference.
Paul