transmission concerns

[niteshade]

hi there

ok, when I brake, my RPMs fall off, and sometimes I stall.  I'm getting into the habit of revving the throttle as I come to a stop (with the clutch pulled), but it's kind of annoying and a little unsafe, braking and revving with the same hand.  I tried giving a little more choke, but then the tach goes up to like 3K.

Any ideas?

Not sure if it's a red herring, but I had some issues with my clutch recently... wasn't fully disengaging, so I turned the bolt where the cable enters the transmission housing a few turns, and it seemed to fix the issue.  Did I not turn it enough?

When I pull in the clutch lever, I have to squeeze it all the way back to the handle for the clutch to disengage.  Can I adjust the lever to make it a bit tighter?

And how do you know when your clutch is wearing out?

Thanx

[Affschnozel]

This might help:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0

[NWDave]

You can use the rear brake too, it's not going to kill you.

[GeeP]

You should be able to fully disengage the clutch with your left pinky and ring finger behind the clutch lever.  If not, you need to adjust it some more.  If you have no adjustment left it is time for a new clutch cable.  $30 or so, about 15 minutes to change.

[ben2go]

You should be able to fully disengage the clutch with your left pinky and ring finger behind the clutch lever.  If not, you need to adjust it some more.  If you have no adjustment left it is time for a new clutch cable.  $30 or so, about 15 minutes to change.

I really hope you don't pay $30 for your clutch cable.crucialval gets them for $12 and I can usually get them quick for $22.Shop around a little and it never hurts to have a spare.Clutch cables do streach.

[GeeP]

You should be able to fully disengage the clutch with your left pinky and ring finger behind the clutch lever.  If not, you need to adjust it some more.  If you have no adjustment left it is time for a new clutch cable.  $30 or so, about 15 minutes to change.

I really hope you don't pay $30 for your clutch cable.crucialval gets them for $12 and I can usually get them quick for $22.Shop around a little and it never hurts to have a spare.Clutch cables do streach.

Hmm.  OK, I checked my records.  $12.33  My mistake.   

[ben2go]

You should be able to fully disengage the clutch with your left pinky and ring finger behind the clutch lever.  If not, you need to adjust it some more.  If you have no adjustment left it is time for a new clutch cable.  $30 or so, about 15 minutes to change.

I really hope you don't pay $30 for your clutch cable.crucialval gets them for $12 and I can usually get them quick for $22.Shop around a little and it never hurts to have a spare.Clutch cables do streach.

Hmm.  OK, I checked my records.  $12.33  My mistake.   

If you were buying cables at $30 and it wasn't an emergency roadside repair,I was going to sell you some beach front property in Tennessee.

[niteshade]

Thanks guys!  I adjusted my clutch cable, and things seem pretty groovy now... drove around a bit yesterday and today, and engine didn't conk out once.  Shifting rather better too.

I'm up around 12K miles now, however, so I imagine I'll have to change the clutch cable sometime soon anyways.  Is changing this cable something someone like me (newbie wrencher) can accomplish?  And is lubing the cable pretty straightforward?  I got the bike at 7.5K miles, and I've not yet lubed it... perhaps I should.

[bosozoku]

I'm up around 12K miles now, however, so I imagine I'll have to change the clutch cable sometime soon anyways.

Why? -- cars have them too, and they can easily last 100k miles plus.

-b.

[GeeP]

Thanks guys!  I adjusted my clutch cable, and things seem pretty groovy now... drove around a bit yesterday and today, and engine didn't conk out once.  Shifting rather better too.

I'm up around 12K miles now, however, so I imagine I'll have to change the clutch cable sometime soon anyways.  Is changing this cable something someone like me (newbie wrencher) can accomplish?  And is lubing the cable pretty straightforward?  I got the bike at 7.5K miles, and I've not yet lubed it... perhaps I should.

Good to hear.   

Changing a clutch cable is very easy.  My only advice would be to clean and lubricate the clutch release cam inside the front sprocket cover when you take it off.  Road grime is thrown in there by the chain and collects around the cam.

Motorcycle control cables tend to need replacement more often than car control cables.  This is mainly due to the method of construction, and the need for much better "feel" on a motorcycle.  Motorcycle cables are also constantly out in the weather, as opposed to a car, where the cable is generally well protected.

[Crucialval]

Trust me you don't want it to brake in the middle of a ride. It was no fun! Car clutch cables don't have to turn with the bars, they stay very still toughout there life time, only the inner cable actualy moves.

Thanks again Ben.

[ben2go]

Trust me you don't want it to brake in the middle of a ride. It was no fun! Car clutch cables don't have to turn with the bars, they stay very still toughout there life time, only the inner cable actualy moves.

Thanks again Ben.

YW    anytime.

[niteshade]

Crucial, how many miles did you have on your bike when the cable broke?  Had you been lubing it up to then?

[Crucialval]

I got it at 19K and it broke around 22K, It had nothing to do the lube, it was pressed up on the head light and had a slight knink in it. over time it cuased it to brake.