Clutch lever stiff. Where to look for potential issues?

[er-minio]

The clutch lever on my 2007 GSA became fairly stiff and it's slightly annoying/borderline painful to keep it fully pressed.

Initially I blamed this on myself getting older and maybe starting to have some joint pain (I do) on my hands. But in reality the same thing does not happen when using my other two bikes, one being the HP2, so another boxer.

Clutch should be ne-wish as it has been replaced about 30/40k miles ago. Works fine. No signs of premature death.
I did not replace the clutch fluid at the last service as there is plenty and also the job looked like a PITA – but I do have all the "necessaire": new fluid, syringes and tubes, etc. etc.

My GS has done a fair bit of offroading, been in water, mud, the full experience.
Could all that dirt have affected the pusher (the small rod on the clutch plate)? Does it makes sense to remove and clean that? Or is that unaffected?

I had to clean and re-grease the starter a number of times in the last few years.

Thanks.

 

[Lor Enzo]

Could all that dirt have affected the pusher (the small rod on the clutch plate)? Does it makes sense to remove and clean that? Or is that unaffected?

Buongiorno!
to remove and clean the pusher what do you need to do? is it the dreaded split the bike in two like to replace the clutch?
what is the easiest job? changing the clutch fluid or removing and clean the pusher?
is the lever by any change slightly misaligned?
Keep us posted

 

[Steptoe]

Buongiorno!
to remove and clean the pusher what do you need to do? is it the dreaded split the bike in two like to replace the clutch?
what is the easiest job? changing the clutch fluid or removing and clean the pusher?
is the lever by any change slightly misaligned?
Keep us posted

The “pusher” is the slave cylinder, it’s located on the back of the gearbox held in place with three bolts.

 

[Lor Enzo]

thanks Steptoe, I thought the pusher reference was to a sort of linkage (the word rod got me) that pushed/pulled the clutch after the slave cylinder.
apologies for the stupid remark, I cannot go to the garage now, I think I can locate it in my mind as the part with bleeding nipple towards the rear wheel (at least on my 2012 model).

 

[er-minio]

is it the dreaded split the bike in two like to replace the clutch?

No, as Steptoe indicate above it is easily reachable.
I just never messed with it as anything clutch-related would be above what I'd be comfortable to touch/have to fix on my bike.

I'm learning to do most maintenance on my own, but humbly and step by step...