Clutch replacement required, but why?

[Steptoe]

Bit of the thread hijack, hope no one minds, but as i've a query re another clutch issue i thought i'd add it here.
Been out on my 850 again today and my clutch is getting to the point where it bites right at the end of the levers travel. I'd normally guess this suggests i'm due a clutch change. Its a 2000 with 49k, ridden pretty hard by me since about 22k. But, theres no sign of any slippage, even when ragged pretty hard. Coming home earlier by myself I gave it some pretty harsh abuse to see if i could get it to slip, but nothing.
Is it worth looking at anything else before pulling the box off and fitting a new clutch? Could the cable have stretched with age,? There's no slack in it. Or did i read somewhere that the 1100's, that the 850's are based on, suffers from an issue with the actuating lever at the box end of thngs?

The main adjustment is at the rear of the gearbox on the clutch arm.... You must have play on that arm.

 

[sykospain]

My "Tim & A Rockster" video showing him pulling the bike in half might be of help. He's an experienced wrencher, and his tip is always,
"When you're thinking of doing a job on your bike, close the Haynes manual that you've just got out, and put it safely back on the shelf before you start reading the forums for the real expert info..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyND-O1zfoY

 

[Flipfly]

I had a leaky slave cylinder that contaminated a clutch plate. Thankfully caught it in time and it was fine for 20k miles afterwards before I sold the bike. No tell tales signs other than a bit of slipping higher up the revs.