Over time, you may find that your clutch doesn’t feel quite right or shifting doesn’t seem the same as it used to. You might have an overly clunky shift, clutch slipping, grinding gears while shifting, or a hard-to-pull clutch handle. These are all possible signs that you need to adjust your clutch.
Type Of Clutch Adjustment
When I say full or complete adjustment, it means adjusting the clutch inside of the primary at the clutch basket. Riders will often make cable adjustments to vary the amount of friction zone or get more pull when shifting begins to slip. You will arrive at the point of having to perform a complete adjustment at some time, though. As clutch plates wear down and/or the clutch cable stretches, this will become necessary.
Cable Clutches
Remember that adjusting the clutch is only for a motorcycle with a cable clutch. If you have a hydraulic clutch, there is no adjustment necessary. Some people may ask, “how do I know which one I have?” Take a look at the clutch handle area on your motorcycle. Hydraulic clutches will have a reservoir that will look like the master cylinder on the left side of the handlebars. If there is no master cylinder on the left side of the handlebars, then you have a cable clutch.
Have Motorcycle At Air Temperature
An important point to follow before beginning is to have the bike at air temperature. You don’t want to adjust the clutch when the bike is hot after riding. If you have clutch concerns while riding, get the bike home, and let it sit overnight before adjusting the clutch. When the clutch plates are heated and expanded, you won't get the proper adjustment and will have to do it again when the bike cools. If the adjuster screw inside the primary is adjusted with the powertrain hot, clutch slippage could occur when the powertrain is cold.
Proper Adjustment Extends Clutch Life
It takes about 30 min to fully adjust the clutch. You should probably make it a habit every time you change the primary fluid as part of your maintenance routine. Proper adjustment will help reduce clutch plate wear and the possibility of snapping your clutch cable if it gets really difficult to engage from putting excessive stress on the cable itself.
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