Rapid clutch wear

[ophic]

I adjusted my clutch lever about 2 weeks ago as I was struggling to get neutral and I thought it might be dragging a bit. There was quite a lot of slack movement at the outside of the lever travel, so I adjusted it so there was nearly none.

So now 2 weeks later, it's pretty much back to how it was before the adjustment. Now I realise that London commuting will wear the clutch a lot more than the long motorway commute I used to have up north, but this seems a bit excessive. I don't ride like a hooligan but I don't dawdle either.

So, is my clutch about to die? Bike has about 40000 miles on it and it's the original clutch.

It's an SV650SK3.

[davepreston]

oil level effects the clutch bruv are you "in the zone" with your levels

[Bibio]

try adjusting at the worm gear mechanism.
is the lever adjuster where it was the last time you set it? the lever adjuster can vibrate back in.

[ophic]

Oil is fine and hasn't changed in the past 2 weeks. The adjuster was more or less where it was after I last set it - it might have moved a bit but not much. The cable is either slipping, stretching or the clutch is wearing. Although, which direction would the clutch wear? I'd think it'd wear to the slip side rather than dragging.

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[Bibio]

how stiff is your clutch cable, might be time for a new one.

check the condition of the worm gear, it might be on its way out/seizing up.

[jambo]

As someone who's done the London commute thing for a number of years, it won't cause the clutch to go out of adjustment every few weeks. It will, however, increase wear to the lifter mechanism. I'm on the original clutch plates at 60,000 or so miles. But the lifter had been replaced once already and I think it's due again.

The cable itself can't slip add it's held firm at both ends, but the 2 slack adjusters can move if not tightened up properly, and any wear in the lifter makes finding an adjustment without any drag much harder

Jambo

Sent without a real keyboard

[Red ones]

Sounds like classic worm problem.
Do a proper clutch adjustment, check the knurled adjusters at the lever aren't coming loose etc. but at that mileage I certainly wouldn't rule out the worm.

I did 100,000 miles of London commuting over 8 years and the clutch plates were still fine.

[Sid Squid]

I'll put an entire quid on the lever end adjuster rattling loose. Give the lock ring a tweak with a pair of pliers to make sure it stays put.

[davepreston]

I'll put an entire quid on the lever end adjuster rattling loose. Give the lock ring a tweak with a pair of pliers to make sure it stays put.
tight barsteward
that wouldn't even buy a half round your way ;)

[Sid Squid]

Half of what? A KitKat, sink plunger, dead mouse or what?

[davepreston]

sorry I forgot I have to translate for your dodgy southern shandy drinkers
a half of lager or beer


but its good to know next time im down I can just pay you for whatever with a dead mouse or a kitkat :)

[ophic]

I'll put an entire quid on the lever end adjuster rattling loose
Well hopefully I'll owe you a quid then. We'll soon know - at this rate I'll run out of adjustment by next week. I'm hoping it's my puny fingers not being able to tighten it enough and I'll give your plier tweak a go.

You can buy half a pint for a pound - just not in a pub!

[Sid Squid]

sorry I forgot I have to translate for your dodgy southern shandy drinkers
a half of lager or beer
Sorry there's nothing to drink up north and you have to come south to get a beer.

[davepreston]

cheers sid since your buying i'll have 20 pints of becks vier mate




wuv you :)

[Sid Squid]

Ah yes, of course, Becks puff juice - that well known northern beer.
And you call us shandy drinkers!

PS. You can get me a beer at the AR you lovely boy!

[ophic]

One whole shiny pound owed to Mr Squid.

[Sid Squid]

:)

[andrewsmith]

Ah yes, of course, Becks puff juice - that well known northern beer.
And you call us shandy drinkers!

PS. You can get me a beer at the AR you lovely boy!

The local bars don't serve ladies drinks to men at the AR

written with a biro

[ophic]

One whole shiny pound owed to Mr Squid.
OK let's call it 50p.

The reason that the thing vibrates loose is because there's not enough thread left on the adjuster. So I looked at the other end and that's pretty much at the end of its adjustment as well.

So having looked through other threads (inc this one, jambo & bibio), the consensus appears to be the clutch lifter is worn out.

Can you get pattern parts for this or is it a trip to the local Suzuki dealer?

[Sid Squid]

Suzuki only - if someone is making a better one that lasts longer I'd like to know about it.

[ophic]

Ta for the help. I'll get one ordered. Fortunate that we've managed to diagnose it before it's critical :)

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[ophic]

Ok a bit more advice required.

I've ordered a new part. In the meantime I've found that if I adjust the worm drive so that it touches the clutch rod, I gain a bit more adjustment in the clutch lever/cable.

ie I've followed Sid's oft quoted advice, but not wound it back a bit.

Is this OK or is it a common noob mistake that's gonna bring me a world of hurt? Can I leave it like this for a while or should I fit the new part as soon as possible?

[Bibio]

it might let the clutch slip when giving the bike beans. i adjust mine pretty much like that but i leave a wee bit play, say 1/8 of a turn.

[Sid Squid]

It will probably be OK as long as you set it so when it's completely cold. You've probably noticed that the lever gains a little slack when the engine is hot, so as a short term expediency set as you have it shoudn't be over tight. Obviously the lifter needs a dab of slack to make sure that the clutch is completely free to operate at all temperatures.

[ophic]

Can't say I had noticed it gaining slack when hot. It gains slack constantly on my bike! Anyway, yes it was set that way when cold. Surprising how much extra adjustment it gives, but I suppose that's the nature of a worm drive.

[Bibio]

it should not be doing that even with worn plates or knackered worm gear. have you checked the condition of the clutch cable for fraying especially at the lever end?

[ophic]

it should not be doing that even with worn plates or knackered worm gear. have you checked the condition of the clutch cable for fraying especially at the lever end?
No need to worry Bibio - that was the original problem and turned out to be the adjuster vibrating loose at the lever end. I couldn't tighten it properly because there wasn't enough thread left in the hole. Now I've gained more adjustment by removing the eighth-turn slack on the pushrod and it's gained me enough thread at the lever to tighten the locking nut sufficiently.

I think it's now fine :) New lifter on the way anyway.

[ophic]

Just to close off this thread, part arrived and has been fitted and all is well again.

For anyone else with the same problem, the part is 23200-11D00 and Suzuki call it a Clutch Release Screw. £45.50 from http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/

Very simple to fit.

Incidentally I saw 2 on ebay second hand for around £40. Seemed a bit pointless.