loose clutch lever

[njsrikar]

Another problem(s) with my bike . Today I was in a hurry and took the bike off its center-stand while standing next to it, the surface was uneven, i couldnt withstand the weight and let the bike slowly onto the ground. after lifting the bike with some help, i saw that the clutch lever got very loose. In the sense, even after pressing the clutch lever till the handle bar, the bike is moving when I twist the throttle a little. Basically, the clutch is not working.

I went to work like that, about 9 miles. The bike was as usual except for the loose clutch lever.

Today evening, when I started my bike and came out of the parking lot, the exhaust notes were different. It sounded as if the pipes were blocked. It got normal for a mile or so, but changed again for remainder of my ride home.

So....2 new (known) problems on my bike . how do I tighten the clutch lever and make it functional ? and...what do you guys think is that change in the sound ?

I have a service manual and a few tools. I want to tighten the clutch lever atleast tonight as I use this bike for daily commute.

I have been having problems with this bike from the moment I bought it in April this year. yea, its an ooooooooooold one, 1988 ninja zx 750. a bad, very bad buy. thinking of selling it off and wait till next summer for a better bike. what say ?

HELP!

[brendanp]

Are you sure that the lever is not bent and just not giving you enough throw to disengage the clutch? Or is it all wiggly ang giggly?

[njsrikar]

its not 'giggly-wiggly' ....it is stiff...sorry i forgot to mention that...my post might confuse...it is stiff and doesnt move/wobble on its own, but yeah, you put it right, it does not disengage the clutch. the lever is not bent at all. its in good shape.

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Do you need to tighten the clutch cable, or is the level moving around the handle bar?

[brendanp]

So, you are saying it was not like this before the tip over? You need to look at everything real good. Maybe the perch is bent or something. I would have to see it to really diagnose it.

[njsrikar]

Do you need to tighten the clutch cable, or is the level moving around the handle bar?

yeah....i think i need to tighten the clutch cable. No, the lever is not moving around. it is stable.

So, you are saying it was not like this before the tip over?

it was not so loose before the tip over. but the clutch worked properly before.

[njsrikar]

just got a suggestion from slammp...to check if the cable is pinched under the fairing after the fall. will check that and be back.

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

There should be a wheel looking part need the beginning of the lever. Spin it to tighten up the cable.

It's difficult for me to describe, but follorw the brake cable from the lever. There's a clutch adjuster just after the lever. Don't over tighten the cable though, you want a little play on the cable.

[brendanp]

yes, there should only be like 1/8" of play between the lever and the perch.

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

C'mere brendan

[njsrikar]

There should be a wheel looking part need the beginning of the lever. Spin it to tighten up the cable.
It's difficult for me to describe, but follorw the brake cable from the lever. There's a clutch adjuster just after the lever. Don't over tighten the cable though, you want a little play on the cable.

is this the cable adjuster ???


i did not find any wheel like part there. it is on the front break lever/accelerator but not near the clutch lever. infact there are many cables coming out near the clutch lever.....i guess the one coming out of the oil cylinder is the clutch cable...correct me if am wrong....


cables under the clutch lever....

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Hmmm, tough one. I'd probably have to see it. Didn't see the adjuster from your pictures

Want to check the other end of thatclutch cable and see if there's an adjuster there?

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Guys. It has a hydraulic clutch. Lol. Needs bleeding.

[njsrikar]

Guys. It has a hydraulic clutch. Lol. Needs bleeding.

Hi Derek....how are you ???
so dats it ?? bleeding has to be done on it ?? i just read abt it in the manual...

went to take a few pictures of the cable and possible 'adjusters' ....but i guess theres no need for those after derek's post.

[brendanp]

WTF dude? you didnt tell us it was hydraulic! now i feel like an azz!!

[njsrikar]

ohh ...i thought you guys knew it. all the big bikes have hydraulics right ???

anywayz...i guess i`ll hv to wait to fix it ...so it`ll be bus/train commute tomorrow for me.

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

WTF dude? you didnt tell us it was hydraulic! now i feel like an azz!!

[njsrikar]

hahahaha
are you guys still at VIR ??? howz it going ??? any pics taken or have u already posted some on the track-day forum ??

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Giggity: BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.160 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

On our way home now. I think we're still in VA

[njsrikar]

any idea on the sudden change in the exhaust note ? you saw my bike...is it coz more air leak or something like that ??

[njsrikar]

derek....do you think i can sell my bike (in full or parts) for atleast 1000 bucks ??? it is getting too costly on me now to maintain it...

[Danz19899]

the exhaust note could just be a side effect of the clutch problem. if its not disengaging all the way there might be a constant small load on the motor making it sound different

[DuncanMoto]

yeah....i think i need to tighten the clutch cable. No, the lever is not moving around. it is stable.


it was not so loose before the tip over. but the clutch worked properly before.

WTF dude? you didnt tell us it was hydraulic! now i feel like an azz!!

ohh ...i thought you guys knew it. all the big bikes have hydraulics right ???

anywayz...i guess i`ll hv to wait to fix it ...so it`ll be bus/train commute tomorrow for me.

Funny guy..... Funny guy...

[njsrikar]

Funny guy..... Funny guy...

[njsrikar]

so yaa...problem(s) solved for now

the muffled sound from the bike was coz only 2 cylinders were firing up ....changed the sparkplugs....itseems the tipover caused some oil to spill onto the sparks and they werent working. now its fixed...and my bike working again now...uff....lets see how long its going to run now!!