Clutch Longevity ?
 

Hi All, Whilst tearing about delivering Christmas cards today the clutch on my '02 XT600e seemed to change from the "bite" being in the middle of the clutch lever play to very slack and when readjusted the "bite" now seems pretty near to the end of the levers release, making slow control trickier. The bikes only done 6k miles ( 4k miles in the last 6 months since I've had it )is this likely to be normal wear or could a locknut? or something have slipped. I'm going to change the oil soon so I could change the plates at the same time - any thoughts or experiences on clutches going would be much appreciated.
Cheers Mike PS Merry Christmas to you all !!

i doubt its the clutch at 6k
 

Hiya Mike, unless you have been severley abusing the hell out of it, i doubt its the clutch itself. Try readjusting your cable, its relatively easy to do.

Martyn

I agree !!

Theres no way its worn out at 6k unless you wheelie the hell out of it everyday.

Its probably down to the cable, the lever adjustment or the temperature, viscotity and friction modifiers in your oil..

Clutch adjustment
 

Hi, also check the other end of the cable. The lever on the top of the gearbox has a pointer that should align with a mark when the clutch starts to operate, ie no slack in the system. If it does not line up then the nut on the end of the clutch basket needs adjusting.
Regards,
Dave

Hi Mike.
My partner's WRf had exactly the same clutch lever "creep" a while ago which was the cable outer compressing somehow.Motion Pro do a clutch cable called the Terminator where the outer cable strands run lengthways rather than in a spiral direction so there's no compression.Since i've fitted this the lever "feel" is excellent,kinda feels like a hydraulic clutch now! It's much lighter,the bike goes into gear without ANY fuss even when stone cold,there's no dragging at all. I had mine from Off Road Only in Llandrindod Wells.

Hi All, Thanks for your responses everyone - when I get some time I'll try readjusting the cable ( both ends ); because it seemed to change over a few minutes as opposed to gradually I think I might well have to adjust the nut on the end of the clutch basket ( as Dave mentioned ), otherwise the nut on the seat will have to get used to the clutches new position !
Cheers Mike