2009 Xb12Scg clutch pull

[818Guy]

So I finally had some time to put some non-freeway miles on my XB12Scg today. My XB12Scg is a 2009 and currently has 1300 miles on it. Bought it with only 1,080 miles on the odometer last month (Dec 2013).

Two things from my ride:

1. Does the XB12 just have a hard (tight) clutch pull normally? Man, I’m REALLY surprised how my forearm feels after today’s ride (about 70 miles through some back roads but also stop and go traffic). I’m just wondering if there is something that might be too “tight” with regards to the clutch. Not sure on what to check and it’s not like I can ride to a Buell dealership and have them check the clutch for me.

2. Towards the end of my ride when shifting from 1 to 2 it shifted into Neutral. I’m not sure if this is related to my question 1 above but it happened three times. Maybe by then (end of the ride) my forearm was just quittin’ on me. *shrug* I don't think my foot movement when shifting changed.

Any thoughts on the clutch pull and the mysterious shift into neutral?

Just trying to understand/learn about this bike.

Finally, quick background on me: I’ve been riding consistently for the past 9 years, over 60,000 miles on the variously bikes I have owned but I've never had something like this (forearm fatigue so quickly).

Thanks for any help. [up]

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Probably due for a clutch adjustment, as for the "pull" youre either a sissy or got a fair amount of resistance in the cable from sitting around so much.

 

[chevy42083]

I almost always hit neutral when trying for 2.... usually when I'm in the groove, ripping on it, and trying to "gingerly" nudge it to 2nd with a quick clutch pull. Mine has ~10,000 miles, and has had clutch/primary adjustments semi-recently.

My 09 Buell scg clutch is somewhere between the feathery light one on my Ninja 650r and the really heavy one on my brothers Ducati Hypermotard. I can't say what's "normal"... especially based on someone elses effort level described in text.

 

[818Guy]

Thanks guys.

crash... will the resistance loosen up with riding? And no, I'm not a sissy.

chevy... you are correct in that it's tough to describe the pull feeling in words. I have been reading some more and I guess Buell has a heavy clutch pull.

I may see if I can get my local HD dealership to take a quick look at it, just to have a tech pull the clutch and hear what he/she thinks of it. If there's something wrong I'd like to get it taken care of before I have a failure riding.

Dunno, maybe a Muller is in my future...

 

[snrusnak]

Definitely start by adjusting the clutch. Mine was doing the same thing(hitting N instead of 2) and I followed the service manual to do a clutch adjustment which took about 15 minutes and it is fixed. I haven't hit N instead of 2 since then. It seems to shift better all around.

Make sure to follow the manual, adjust at the case then the lever.

 

[BuellRonin]

This is my first bike ever, and I had the same issues with fatigue and vibration. But after a few mods (thicker handle bar, grips) and just getting use to it, I no longer have any issues.

But then again, when I took it in after I bought it for a "safety inspection", the HD shop did tell me that the clutch line that was on my bike wasn't the right one...last owner installed something aftermarket that wasn't correct.

Couldn't hurt to have someone look at it.

 

[chevy42083]

My Ninja 650r clutch ends up feeling "gritty"... or feeling notched as you can feel the ribs of the cable rubber... even creaking a bit. After a little lube, it's smooth again. I haven't noticed the same issue with the buell... but it has 25k less miles, and is ALWAYS stored in doors, and rarely ridden in foul weather.

 

[user_deleted]

lube the cable. the clutch cables were deliverd to buell dry and i would imagine that during the manufacturing process some were not lubed as they should have been. before adjusting clutch to specs just loosen up the barrel at front of motor, remove clutch lever bolt and nut, swing lever front, remove lever from cable, let cable suspend vertically and if you don't have a luber and cable lube just dribble some light motor oil or 3-in-1 oil down the inner cable. takes a few minutes to do it properly but makes world of difference. apply light grease to lever pivot points and reassemble. should pull as easy as any big bore jap bike ever built.

 

[818Guy]

Cool, thanks everyone for the tips and info.

[up] [up] [up]

 

[818Guy]

Took the bike to Seminole HD here in Sanford, FL this morning.

Had them check and lube the clutch cable as well as install my new adjustable levers.

WOW, what a difference. Not sure if it's having the clutch lever closer to me now or the lubed cable or both but the ride home gave me a much better feel of the clutch. Sucks it's raining [down] otherwise I'd go out for a longer ride.

Nevertheless, got home and did the happy dance.

 

[snrusnak]

818Guy we are riding tomorrow morning in central florida if you'd want to go.

 

[Gloomshadow]

Seminole Harley is about the best Harley dealer when it comes to Buell.. I got nothing but love for those dudes at the parts counter.. they went above and beyond the call of duty for me on several occasions. What levers are you running on there now? I tried some Chinese ones but I had to do some hand fitting and in the end I didn't feel good about them so I went back to stock. they have a bad reputation for making your breaks drag bc the plunger is out of spec for Buell..

 

[818Guy]

Seminole HD has always been cool to me so I don't mind going there (service).

I thought their parts department is/was okay.

Went there for a battery and they charge you some "core charge" to bring the old battery back. You get you money back when you do but it was $10. I went to Orlando HD and they didn't have that crap core charge.

Bought these: http://shop.the2wheels.com/7-Clicks-GP-Levers-Adjustable-3D-BUELL-LE7-3D-BU.htm?categoryId=-1

Tech didn't say anything about them (being bad or having challenges installing) so we'll see how it is after some time in the saddle for me.

 

[818Guy]

snrusnak.... can't make it...

me = [down]

 

[cb750]

I think my Buell clutch is one of the lightest I have used. Most of the bikes I have are old Hondas and Kawasakis and I'm sure they could use some lube on the cable, but the zx14 I had a year or so ago had a hydraulic clutch on it and it was terrible.