Kind of a dumb question

[zenn]

Is it possible to move or adjust the friction zone on the clutch?
The "bite" where the clutch starts to engage is all the way out almost at the end of the levers range. I want to move it closer. On my Honda Rebel it would grab within the first 1/3rd to 1/2 of the levers trow. I got very used to that, Now I find myself hunting for it and by the time it grabs ands I;m winding up a little throttle the revs are climbing to 6-7k on takeoff

Is it reasonable to expect to have this done, or should I just get used to it? I'm bringing the bike in next week to have the brakes adjusted (squeaks) and thinking about this too, price allowing.

[qwertydude]

Use the adjuster on the clutch lever, adjust it in so you have more freeplay you'll still have a narrower friction zone than the rebel but at least it'll be closer to your grip so your hand gets less tired. If it's already all the way in, then you'll need to adjust the adjuster in on the chain cover.

[ajaxgs]

play with the cable adjustment , mine is like what you want and i adjust more at the engine side of the cable and my adjuster at the handle bar is almost turned all the way in

[wreckhog]

And if you can't adjust it to your liking (no adjustment left), you might need a new clutch cable with is cheap to buy, and reasonable to install/adjust. Good time to replace your clutch lever if it is bent. Also cheap, as is the clutch lever cover. Brakes squeal when they are low. Most people don't wait that long to replace them.

[ajaxgs]

what is the mileage on the bike    what do you need to adjust on the brakes , they are self adjusting , or are you getting a squeel from the rear??,

[ohgood]

Ya man, that's one of my main annoyances about the gs's clutch. There is no adjustment for the amount of friction zone. I'd like it to start around 1/4 of the way from the grip to free, and continue until 3/4 of the way to free. But no, you (or i anyway) only have 1/2 " or so of friction zone. Sure, you can adjust -where- it bites, but not the range of the bite. That would require a different fulcrum point, lever action, stuff. I'm too cheap for different levers myself, so I deal with it.

You're not really going to take your bike in for squealing brakes are you ?

A set of pads front and rear is total a 45 minute process, if you bleed them proper afterwards, clean up, and open 2.3 beers. No really, it's that quick/easy.

There is also a nice howto in the suzuki manual for how to adjust the clutch both at the engine and the lever, with specs and pics to guide you. It's not a terrible ordeal, but you want to take it slow.

[zenn]

thanks, I 'll check if theres anything I can do with the adjuster to tighten up the freeplay. Maybe a new clutch cable wouldn't be a bad idea if it gets me what I want.

As for the brakes. The PO put on new ones, says they make noise cause they are stock pads. Dont make sense to me either. Getting them checked out.
As you can tell by now, I'm not very mechanically inclined when it comes to motorsickles.

[08GSSteve]

Im not sure if you can get them for the GS but what about adjustable levers like on sports bikes.  The knob on the top of the lever is adjustable to bring the lever arm closer to the riders hand.  This is a great feature that I feel all bikes should have.

[08GSSteve]

My GS grab point is about 1/4 but bike is new.  I assume this will change once the bike has 10,000km or so on the clock. 

Every bike I have owned has been the same, the GPX750R was shocking for it where the clutch would grab with about 5mm left.

[ajaxgs]

ok go get a clymer manual , avalable from the site here and i'm going to assume that its the rears sqeeling , so what you do is pull the cover off the caliper ,pull the pins out now make sure you take a picture of the assembley just incase you forget what it looks like .. pull the pad out and get some caliper pin lube and apply to the backs of the pads ....NOT THE FRICTION SIDE . but before  you do that clean everything up before assembleing , i have done this and i do not have any squeeling anymore from the rear brakes .just make sure you dont get any of the lube on the friction side of the pad or on the rotors , if you do clean with brake clean , re-assemble everything , lube the pins and put the cover back on . make sure you pump the brake before riding to make sure the pads contact the rotor .also check to see if your rear whell is aligned properly