Replacing my clutch lever...

[PaviSays]

So I'm trying to swap out my bent clutch lever for a new one, and I'm at the point where all that's left to do is take out the cylinder with the cable and remove the lever from the bike, swap the levers and reassemble.  I'm unsure on how to go about removing the cable and the lever off the bike without breaking something else.   Anyone have any advice?

[the mole]

All you have to do is slacken the adjusters at both ends of the cable to get max free play, turn the adjuster and lock nut at the handlebar to line up the slots, then unbolt the lever and slip the cable out of the slots and the lever. Reverse this to fit new lever, then adjust clutch lever free play per the manual. Ten minutes, including reading the manual.

[PaviSays]

Ah, nice.  I'll have to go down and look at the adjusters before I start trying to swap them out as soon as this storm lets up a little.  I knew it was way too tight, and something wasn't quite right.  Thanks!

[XealotX]

... I knew it was way too tight, and something wasn't quite right.  Thanks!

I replaced my bent clutch lever recently. I may be wrong (wouldn't be the first time) but I think the clutch cable adjustment mostly changes the point where the clutch engages as you pull the lever, not how "tight" the lever is to pull. My clutch lever has always been hard to pull and no amount of cable adjustment seems to help.

[PaviSays]

I replaced my bent clutch lever recently. I may be wrong (wouldn't be the first time) but I think the clutch cable adjustment mostly changes the point where the clutch engages as you pull the lever, not how "tight" the lever is to pull. My clutch lever has always been hard to pull and no amount of cable adjustment seems to help.

I didn't mean that the clutch was hard to pull, I meant that the whole cable seemed pretty taught.  Like when I tried to remove it earlier, it felt like if I removed the cylinder from inside the clutch lever the cable would get pulled to god knows where.

How did you guys get the cable out of the clutch lever?  Did you pull the whole lever out then pull off it out?  Because I can't seem to get the lever off with the cable still in it.  I'll keep playing around I guess.

[XealotX]

God, I hope someone smarter than me explains this clearer...

You have to remove the cable, then the switch with the wires going to it. The clutch lever will not pull off until that switch is removed.

The threaded insert the clutch cable runs through has a slot in it that the cable pulls out through.

[PaviSays]

Success!  I got it finally.  The switch was what was keeping it on.  Doh, I feel like such an idiot.  Once I got the clutch lever off it was all pretty easy from there.  Now I just gotta take it out and fine tune it in the morning. Thanks both of you for all your help!