Clutch Adjustment question

[Defender88]

I just adjusted the clutch on my 03 xb9s in accordance with the manual. but my clutch still doesnt feel right. It doesnt dis engage untill i let the handle almost all the way out and I like the clutch to start letting out sooner so I have some room to feather it... any tips on how to accomplish this?

 

[konarider94]

If the clutch starts grabbing when you just start to let the lever out than its probably not fully disengaged. If this is what you want you can turn the screw inside the cover clockwise another 1/2 turn. Or you can just put more slack in the cable. I do not recommend this because it will wear your clutch faster.

IMO you should just get used to it grabbing out a little farther. Others can feel free to disagree if im wrong but thats how i see it.

 

[Defender88]

the way my clutch is now i feel once its let out, its not fully dis engaged. that is why im trying to adjust it. when i have my clutch lever pulled all the way in and i just start to let it out i want the clutch to begin grabbing.

 

[aptbldr]

1st, slacken cable/lever free-play on cable, just front of engine.
2nd, adjust clutch through opening in primary cover.
3rd, adjust clutch cable/lever free-play on the cable, at front jug.
See manual. This very important to primary cover's life.

 

[Defender88]

I did that already, in accordance with the manual the clutch does not feel right. it almost feels like my clutch lever isnt pulling enough cable out.

 

[Defender88]

I have the adjuster tightened down all the way. can I shorten the clutch cable any other way?

 

[nilla]

i have had the best success adjusting clutches in person, not over the internet. you might have next best luck over the phone with someone who can talk you thru it.
if you still are unhappy with the friction zone i highly reccomend an XX-soft clutchlite. they can be had for less than 50 shipped, and help to lengthen the friction zone and reduce clutch-hand fatigue. i put one on for the wife, and don't know why i didn't do it for me!

 

[Defender88]

I plan on getting one of those. Finances are tight for a while. After this next deployment, its game on!

 

[nilla]

deployment? [down] but coming home is always nice.

follow the manual. word for word. then interpret it and adjust it to your liking.[smirk]

but really, you gotta figure out how what you do affects the lever.

IDEALLY you should never have to adjust the cable.
the lever is released =clutch engaged
lever pulled in = clutch dis-engaged
clutch adjustment is on the clutch basket in side your primary and has a spring on the jam nut
cable adjustment has a jam nut and is infront of the front jug
lever and cable ferrule should be barely loose/wiggly when released.
and lastly the friction zone should be in the middle of lever action, erring to the side closer to the grip.

try setting the clutch adjustment screw so it so the clutch arm is at 4-5 o'clock-ish. then give make sure your cable is not taught when the lever is released (clutch engaged) and keep playing with the clutch adjuster screw.

if you read nothing else i wrote, read this: you can feel/hold the lever with your left hand while you adjust the clutch screw with your right hand to dial it in exactly where you want it.

 

[Defender88]

Right on man, ill give it a try this weekend if I get any time off

 

[browland]

nilla I had heard that the clutchlite wouldn't work on the xb series that the only option was the freespirits and muller any truth to this or can I save cash!

 

[aptbldr]

I have the adjuster tightened down all the way. can I shorten the clutch cable any other way?

This adjustment on clutch is NOT correct, if I understand "tightened all the way down".
Screw is backed-out, loosened, slightly from firm contact with clutch, and locked down.
Then, remove slack in cable at cable adjustment sleeve.
Clutch-pack properly rotates free of firm contact with its release screw. Otherwise, clutch will load release mechanism, attempting to spin it and possibly damaging release carrier machined into primary cover.

 

[konarider94]

the way my clutch is now i feel once its let out, its not fully dis engaged. that is why im trying to adjust it. when i have my clutch lever pulled all the way in and i just start to let it out i want the clutch to begin grabbing.

i understand that. but what im trying to say is if you want the friction zone to start as soon as you start to let your lever out than it would be barely disengaged when the lever is pulled to the bar.

do you have free play in your lever when the lever is released?

 

[Defender88]

no freeplay

 

[konarider94]

no freeplay

thats bad.

you need about 1/16th inch of freeplay. and you said the cable adjuster is completely screwed together? that doesnt sound right. i just put a new clutch cable on mine and there is plently of adjustment in the cable to accommodate freeplay.

 

[Defender88]

I dont know what else to tell ya. I have no free play. the large adjuster nut is screwed all the way down and I have none or VERY LITTLE freeplay. I need someone in jacksonville that can help me out

 

[Defender88]

let me see if I get this. The more i tighten the large nut on that i get less freeplay. but that also means that when im pulling in my clutch its pulling more cable correct? when i let out the clutch in 1st i can feel my clutch slipping even after ive let the clutch all the way out. and when i try to move the bike in my garage i gotta put it in neutral. i cant just pull in the clutch like all my other bikes

 

[konarider94]

the top shows the cable with little to no freeplay. the bottom shows a cable that will have lots of freeplay. i posted this because its much easier to show than describe.

but yes with less freeplay you pull the cable more. but if there is no freeplay it can prevent the clutch from engaging fully causing it to slip. you dont need much freeplay. did you do any adjustments inside the primary cover?

 

[nilla]

-ahem-

"but really, you gotta figure out how what you do affects the lever."

 

[nilla]

can we get some closure on this one, defender?