Clutch Adjustment Issue

[deano]

Hi All,

Can anyone please advise regarding clutch adjustment.  I have noticed that when I adjust my clutch (bike is cold) to have approx 4mm play in the lever as noted in the suzuki manual the play in the lever increases quite a bit when the engine is hot and I have been riding for 10 minutes or more.  This results in the clutch starting to bite closer to the handle bars.  Has anyone else noticed this with their GS500?

I pulled the clutch push rod out of the seal and noticed that the rod has a fair bit of side play to it when partially pushed back into seal?

Thanks.

[scratch]

The side to side play is okay, just as long as the seal doesn't leak, that said, quit playing with the clutch rod and pushing it side-to-side...you're gonna make it leak.

Clutch adjustment - I beleive the 4mm play is with the handlebars straight, er, perpendicular to the bike. If you turn the handlebars fully to the left you may notice that the slack may be less than when turned fully to the right. I set my slack so that there is 1mm of play at its tightest point when the handlebars are turned fully to the left.

It sounds like the clutch friction plates are expanding when they warm up, or the oil is thinning. When was your last oil change? Cable may be stretching, too. Check for frayed ends: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=77a126edcaa933a8dbcf031a4ed5b245&threadid=129695