F650gs - can I take a couple of clutch springs out ?

[phooey]

Why they don't have a hydraulic clutch I've no idea as the cable is a pain to use in heavy traffic so what about softer springs, or just taking a couple of opposing springs out ?

Any mechanics on here can give me some advice ?

Thanks in Adv.

Chris.

 

[D K]

That wouldn't be a good idea. The springs are what keep the clutch from slipping.

 

[Schtum]

It's a long time since I rode a 650 but I don't remember the clutch being terribly heavy. It might be time for a new cable and / or check the routing so that there are no small radius bends in it.

 

[phooey]

I know what the springs do, but my better half has little hands and the clutch is a bit of a strain in town. Are they 'over engineered' leaving some room to reduce the pressure by extacting a couple or is this going to cause slip during 'normal' operating conditions ?

 

[santrix]

Have you tried an adjustable lever, that might stop the strain and extension of the digits a little...

 

[JJH]

I think that if springs were removed there might be a vibration problem. JJH

 

[Schtum]

I know what the springs do, but my better half has little hands and the clutch is a bit of a strain in town. Are they 'over engineered' leaving some room to reduce the pressure by extacting a couple or is this going to cause slip during 'normal' operating conditions ?

Ahh....if you'd said it was SWMBO's bike. My wife's dream bike was always a V-Max until she tried to ride a mate's one fitted with a Barnett clutch and couldn't pull in the lever.

Probably the best you can do is my previous advice about the cable run, fit adjustable aftermarket levers and adjust the angle of lever so that it gives her the most comfortable angle for her hand.

Other than that, you could buy her one of those things that you squeeze to strengthen your grip.

I'd imagine that, ultimately, there'll be a Rekluse semi-auto clutch kit for the 650 twin, although at the moment they only appear to do a kit for the 650 single.

 

[Beth]

.........
Other than that, you could buy her one of those things that you squeeze to strengthen your grip.
..........

He bought me one of those when we got married

Just kidding, my lovely husband is an angel, I'll get my ears boxed for posting. Anyway, I'm 4'11" and less than 7st, tiny hands, used to the hydraulic clutch on the ducati up to now. We've fitted pazzos but they haven't really reduced the 'reach' by much. Have done 1000 miles on the bike this first week, 220 today, twisty technical north york roads. Think the 'hand-ache' is from the constant 'reach' as much as the muscle needed controlling the clutch. I can just about u-turn the bike on full lock but it's a killer handwise.

Don't think either of us would be interested in 'compromising' the bike, she's a beautiful ride, some kind of 'dog-leg' lever that got a little nearer than the pazzo would sort it, if not, he'll just have to swap a few miles so I have a rest riding the GSA

Genuine thanks for all posts everyone x

 

[Dean]

Why they don't have a hydraulic clutch I've no idea as the cable is a pain to use in heavy traffic so what about softer springs, or just taking a couple of opposing springs out ?

Any mechanics on here can give me some advice ?

Thanks in Adv.

Chris.

He bought me one of those when we got married

Just kidding, my lovely husband is an angel, I'll get my ears boxed for posting. Anyway, I'm 4'11" and less than 7st, tiny hands, used to the hydraulic clutch on the ducati up to now. We've fitted pazzos but they haven't really reduced the 'reach' by much. Have done 1000 miles on the bike this first week, 220 today, twisty technical north york roads. Think the 'hand-ache' is from the constant 'reach' as much as the muscle needed controlling the clutch. I can just about u-turn the bike on full lock but it's a killer handwise.

Don't think either of us would be interested in 'compromising' the bike, she's a beautiful ride, some kind of 'dog-leg' lever that got a little nearer than the pazzo would sort it, if not, he'll just have to swap a few miles so I have a rest riding the GSA

Genuine thanks for all posts everyone x

How about these :


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409487 also TT do one and probable a few other after market vendors.

I think a lot of the 800 guy's (girlies) do this on the quite they have small feet also


good luck with your search


Dean

 

[Mr K]

It's a long time since I rode a 650 but I don't remember the clutch being terribly heavy. It might be time for a new cable and / or check the routing so that there are no small radius bends in it.

+1

 

[Sooty09]

A few years ago you could buy lightening kits for trials bikes. By levers and separate cables the device used longer lighter travel at the hand lever. I don't know if they are still available, everything seemed to move on th hydraulic clutches for a while.
The hydraulics do nothing magic to make a clutch light, the force in your hand is the same as the force on the clutch operating system. The secret is to get pistons, pivot points, travel distances etc right for both systems. The main advantages with hydraulics are no cable drag and the system can be made self adjusting. The draw back is the extra complexity, and yes BMW managed to cock this up yet again. The R1150 series master cylinder is real dog to work on, it frequently fails taking out the clutch plate and removal needs the rear sub-frame lifting.

 

[vtr1000sp1]

Vario Levers

Hi Beth

My better half is in a similar situation. She has small hands and a F650GS twin and after a ride her wrists and hand ache. We are planning a big trip around Switzerland so bit the bullet and bought the Vario levers. Arrived in the post yesterday but won’t be able to fit them for a couple of weeks.
Initial impression is that they are well made but as I haven’t fitted them yet I can’t tell you if then do the job!. Three adjustable setting for reach and also adjustable for length. Tried to take a pic with an ipod for scale.
Got them from rainbow and they were £166 delivered. Took about 2 week for delivery for Germany-Rotherham-Menston but I don’t know how much of that was down to the volcanic ash!
Cheers
Phil

 

[Gipsy]

Hi Beth

My better half is in a similar situation. She has small hands and a F650GS twin and after a ride her wrists and hand ache. We are planning a big trip around Switzerland so bit the bullet and bought the Vario levers. Arrived in the post yesterday but won’t be able to fit them for a couple of weeks.
Initial impression is that they are well made but as I haven’t fitted them yet I can’t tell you if then do the job!. Three adjustable setting for reach and also adjustable for length. Tried to take a pic with an ipod for scale.
Got them from rainbow and they were £166 delivered. Took about 2 week for delivery for Germany-Rotherham-Menston but I don’t know how much of that was down to the volcanic ash!
Cheers
Phil

Plus 1. Elvie found the stretch to the original levers forced her to exert most force on the levers when they were at finger tip reach, rather than in the more efficient range when the fingers were slightly bent. she changed to the very same levers as above and is very very pleased with the result.

 

[indaba]

Hi Beth

My better half is in a similar situation. She has small hands and a F650GS twin and after a ride her wrists and hand ache. We are planning a big trip around Switzerland so bit the bullet and bought the Vario levers. Arrived in the post yesterday but won’t be able to fit them for a couple of weeks.
Initial impression is that they are well made but as I haven’t fitted them yet I can’t tell you if then do the job!. Three adjustable setting for reach and also adjustable for length. Tried to take a pic with an ipod for scale.
Got them from rainbow and they were £166 delivered. Took about 2 week for delivery for Germany-Rotherham-Menston but I don’t know how much of that was down to the volcanic ash!
Cheers
Phil

+1

got these for my 800 (small hands - no comments please! ) - make using the clutch much easier - can now do it with two fingers - I recommend them - if I remember rightly got mine from Nippy Normans

 

[Beth]

Posting for both of us (phoo's working today). Really kind of everyone the replies, thank you

The bikes brand new, I'm not a technical type but would think the cabling should be ok (I could be completely wrong of course). The Vario levers look great, just hesitant to go all gung ho ordering them just in case they're about the same as the Pazzos (we'd been told by the supplier they were the best option).

We're on the North East weekend in a couple of weeks, be good if anyone there has them fitted so we can have a look. Otherwise, we'll prolly just go ahead and order them.

Again, thanks everyone