clutch friction point?

[6m459]

Hi,

 

My blue bike's (60,000 miles) clutch friction point is noticeably closer to the bar than my red bike's (13.000 miles). Both are '84 xvz12's btw. I am trying to make up my mind whether something is deteriorating or if it is just the nature of the beast.

 

All seems to work fine but the friction point on the blue bike is quite close to the bar and when released the lever does not fully return to the all the way out position leaving a big dead zone where the lever movement has no tension on it at all. The friction point is quite useable and comfy for my hand, but now I have two bikes I can't help but notice differences. Perhaps its just me being anal or perhaps I have some work to do.

 

I am going to flush the fluid with fresh but meanwhile, these questions occur to me:

 

As the clutch friction surfaces wear, am I correct to assume that the friction point comes closer to the bar?

 

I read about weak clutch springs on these bikes, does this scenario fit the description for that?

 

How big a job is it to supplement clutch springs as some describe doing on these old gals?

 

Other suggestions ?

 

Thanks,

 

Brian H.

Edited May 26, 2010 by 6m459
being fussy

[Flyinfool]

As the clutch friction surfaces wear, am I correct to assume that the friction point comes closer to the bar?

No, As the clutch wears the system will suck in more fluid to make up the difference. It is just like the brakes in your car the pedal does not get lower as the brakes wear.

I read about weak clutch springs on these bikes, does this scenario fit the description for that?

No, A weak spring will cause the clutch to slip at high throttle settings.

 

How big a job is it to supplement clutch springs as some describe doing on these old gals?

It is a very easy job that can be done in less than 30 minutes.

 

Other suggestions ?

After the fluid change I think it is just what it is. I do not know of any adjustment for the lever position. (But I could be wrong)

 

Hope this helps

[MiCarl]

The clutch lever should return completely regardless of the rest of the system (it has it's own spring). You might check for a worn pivot.

 

The friction zone on my 89 is in well away from the bar, the last 50% of pull has no effect. I wonder if people who have the friction zone nearer the bar have air in the system.

 

FWIW, as the clutch wears it returns fluid to the master cylinder, the opposite of brakes. For this reason you never want your clutch master cylinder completely full.

[6m459]

Hi,

 

I am beginning to suspect the master cylinder is failing. It doesn't feel as smooth as I remember. I have a spare one I am going to swap in when time permits.

 

I doubt that there is air in the system but I will be flushing new fluid through and will check then and make sure to purge it.

 

I had a problem with old fluid about 6 years ago when I first got this bike. The fluid had been contaminated with water. The friction point would start out ok but as the engine heat and the heat of the day went up, the friction point would fade towards the handle bar as the heat would turn the water to vapor which would compress.

 

There seems to be a small component of this again this time. I guess that fluid doesn't owe me any thing since it is now 6 years old.

 

Thanks,

 

Brian H.

 

 

Update:

 

I changed out the master cylinder for my spare one and that fixed things up. The mechanism of the old clutch m/c looks quite worn out on postmortem. I'll still flush the fluid when time permits but things seem to be much improved now.

 

Brian H.

Edited May 31, 2010 by 6m459
provide update info