Clutch arm ache

[John Roberts]

I mean my left forearm arm and wrist which operate the clutch on my 1982 R100RS. After a hundred miles or so it begins to hurt due to repeatedly operating the clutch. It doesn't improve with excersise, by which I mean although I ride all year round my rides are longer in the summer and it is during these longer rides that it starts to get uncomfortable.

I've tried the feel of the clutches of other bikes and mine doesn't seem unduly stiff. The clutch cable is new (and NOT lubricated- St. Eptoe says that oil or grease makes the nylon inner liner swell and make the action stiffer) The pivot bearing on the operating arm is new and greased, and the whole system was overhauled last year when I did the gearbox bearings.

Do other Airhead owners have this problem? Or is it me?

 

[Shadwell]

I have an 800gs so i dont know if it is different with an air head but i only use the clutch when im changing down gears.

obviously if you tried this it would half the times you have to pull the clutch.

Without wanting to try and teach you to suck the proverbial egg, accelerate, apply light pressure to the gear lever, blip the throttle and hey presto you are in the next gear with no clutch.

This also works on my 25year old Suzuki DR so im sure it would be the same on yours

 

[John Roberts]

I should have said that I don't use the clutch for up changes- well, from 3rd upwards. It changes so easily it's rather nice to do and it comes naturally. I was pleased to see that the latest R1200RT is just as nice.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

As Shadwell says, I too, only use clutch for pulling away, done clutchless changes for years
Up and Down..

Mind you 4 years [ @ age 21-25 ] driving a Leyland truck with a 5 speed crash g/box + 2 speed Eaton axle helped
After 3 months practise, only used clutch when pulling away or stopping...
200,000 miles and no g/box probs

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Could be that the angle of the clutch lever does not suit your arm position.
Try releasing the clamp bolts and rotating the lever down a bit ( or up) I had one a few years ago that made my wrist ache until I altyered the position.
hope this helps.

 

[fayeslane]

Could be that the angle of the clutch lever does not suit your arm position.
Try releasing the clamp bolts and rotating the lever down a bit ( or up) I had one a few years ago that made my wrist ache until I altyered the position.
hope this helps.

+1 This is the first thing I would try to overcome your problem. Changed bar position on my Multistrada and ended up with a sore wrist.

 

[GEOFFREY DEACON]

I agree with pastryman, Lever to high give your fingers/knuckles a good workout. lever to low shall give your wrist excess pressure..pain...
There was a mod that did the rounds of a longer clutch actuating arm to reduce the pressure, worth a search?.


It could also be your handle bar position,, have a play around..

 

[Beemerboff]

The instructions with my new nylon lined cable are quite clear, use one of the pressure attachments with a aerosol can, clean with a clearer like WD 40 and lube with a light oil.

I think they stopped making the ones that swell about 40 years ago.

Make certain all the pivot points are lubed and free, lever pivot, nipple in lever both ends, etc, this can make a surprising difference.

 

[Steptoe]

Before oiling this and that and adjusting all the nuts and bolts known to man try disconnecting both ends of the cable and try pulling the cable back and forth with your fingers... Is it stiff ?

 

[Vern]

Kenny had a clutch that was almost impossible to pull in on one of his airheads, and that turned out to be the brand new cable. It was fine when it was off the bike, but put a slight bend in it and it was as tight as a very tight thing.New cable, problem solved

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Before oiling this and that and adjusting all the nuts and bolts known to man try disconnecting both ends of the cable and try pulling the cable back and forth with your fingers... Is it stiff ?

That sounds very rude..... then again Tosser comes to mind

 

[Owen Snell]

The clutch on the R90/6 very heavy for my weedy wrists, plus I was having problems down shifting into 2nd, indicating sticking clutch splines. Now the box is out to do the splines, I have found that the clutch actuation shaft is worn. I am also fitting a new clutch cable and lever bush and have cleaned and regreased the actuator and lever arm. Hopefully, the combination of small improvements will make the clutch action lighter. Maybe a bit of messing with the lever position as above will finish the job.