Rapid clutch wear - SV650.org

ophic · 28-05-14, 04:21 PM

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.

28-05-14, 04:42 PM

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

Bibio · 28-05-14, 05:21 PM

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 · 28-05-14, 06:05 PM

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.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Bibio · 28-05-14, 06:41 PM

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 · 28-05-14, 07:03 PM

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 · 28-05-14, 07:53 PM

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 · 28-05-14, 11:40 PM

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.

29-05-14, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

tight barsteward
that wouldn't even buy a half round your way

Sid Squid · 29-05-14, 06:50 AM

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

28-05-14, 04:21 PM	#1
ophic Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whyteleafe Posts: 3,395	Rapid clutch wear 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. __________________ Silver SV650SK3, Fuel exhaust

28-05-14, 04:42 PM	#2
davepreston Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Rapid clutch wear oil level effects the clutch bruv are you "in the zone" with your levels

28-05-14, 05:21 PM	#3
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,540	Re: Rapid clutch wear 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.

28-05-14, 06:05 PM	#4
ophic Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whyteleafe Posts: 3,395	Re: Rapid clutch wear 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. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk __________________ Silver SV650SK3, Fuel exhaust

28-05-14, 06:41 PM	#5
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,540	Re: Rapid clutch wear 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.

28-05-14, 07:03 PM	#6
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Re: Rapid clutch wear 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 __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

28-05-14, 07:53 PM	#7
Red ones Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 1,422	Rapid clutch wear 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.

28-05-14, 11:40 PM	#8
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Rapid clutch wear 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. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

29-05-14, 06:50 AM	#10
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Rapid clutch wear Half of what? A KitKat, sink plunger, dead mouse or what? __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

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