Tight Clutch

Started by CoWr_400rider, Nov 11 2008 05:57 PM
13 replies to this topic

  • CoWr_400rider

Posted 11 November 2008 - 05:57 PM

#1


I am curious how many other DRZ riders have a clutch that requires two fingers to fan? I have been told by several people that have ridden my bike my clutch is to tight, you can't pull it comfortably with one finger. I can manage to squeeze it with one finger but it is tough, two fingers work's good. On those steep rough uphills two fingers becomes a problem.

I have checked the cable and lubed it, seems to be good. The next step would be to check the clutch springs. Anyone have any ideas on new springs?

Rick....

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  • Oregonpharmer

Posted 11 November 2008 - 05:59 PM

#2

I suppose it depends on the strength in your hands, but if the cable is free, and the actuator in the transmission case is working well, you may have ridges worn into the clutch basket where the plate ears ride. That makes pulling the plates apart a real chore.

  • GOLDS

Posted 11 November 2008 - 06:13 PM

#3

Two fingers sounds about right for all the DRZ's I've ridden. You could try lubing the lever pivot as well.

  • CoWr_400rider

Posted 11 November 2008 - 07:32 PM

#4

OregonPharmer, hand strength is not the problem. I would think that if it had ridges in the clutch it would not pull smooth which it does. I am the second owner, the first owner liked add-ons. I am wondering if he didn't put HD springs in the clutch. Thanks for the comments.

Rick...

  • CoWr_400rider

Posted 11 November 2008 - 07:36 PM

#5

Golds, did you have any problems steering or hanging on when you hit steep rocky uphills? One problem I have is staying in the saddle and steering into my line on the steep rocky uphills I have ride here in Colorado and Utah. One thing I want to add to the bike is a gripper seat cover that way if I am using two fingers on the clutch I will be able to use my legs and butt to stay on when the going gets tough. I will try to lube the pivot lever, probably have to pull it down this winter and go through all of the clutch parts. Thanks for the ideas and comments.

Rick....

  • obrianmcc

Posted 11 November 2008 - 08:25 PM

#6

I ride with one finger on the lever, but actually clutch with two.

  • GOLDS

Posted 15 November 2008 - 02:14 PM

#7

CoWr_400rider said:

Golds, did you have any problems steering or hanging on when you hit steep rocky uphills? One problem I have is staying in the saddle and steering into my line on the steep rocky uphills I have ride here in Colorado and Utah. One thing I want to add to the bike is a gripper seat cover that way if I am using two fingers on the clutch I will be able to use my legs and butt to stay on when the going gets tough. I will try to lube the pivot lever, probably have to pull it down this winter and go through all of the clutch parts. Thanks for the ideas and comments.

Rick....

Steep rocky uphills? where? LOL nothing like that around here. Never had a problem with two fingers, but don't ride much offroad.

  • pie4foou

Posted 19 November 2008 - 04:42 PM

#8

you dont live anywhere near New England then

  • YZEtc

Posted 19 November 2008 - 04:45 PM

#9

Ironically, I made mods to mine to make the clutch pull harder. :)

  • Tailender

Posted 19 November 2008 - 06:25 PM

#10

I have an MSR Raptor Clutch lever on mine with heavy springs. The lever has three positions to mount the cable- easy(long), stock, and hard(short). I run it in the easy pull and but use two fingers anyway. I think I have arthritis and one finger is a chore. But with two fingers, its like a hot knife going through butter!

  • drzdave727

Posted 19 November 2008 - 09:16 PM

#11

well ive got about 20,000 miles on my drz and no notches in clutch basket :banana: i had one of those msr levers it sucked try a moose lever and pierch ive had mine for quiet a while now works great and doesint eat cables:thumbsup:

  • czacharyasz

Posted 19 November 2008 - 09:46 PM

#12

i was a beginner when i bought my bike, so my input might not be too useful...but i noticed that when i bought my bike i could not use 2 fingers to shift with the stock levers. I tried and tried but the shape and feel of them was poor...when i upgraded to the zeta levers, it was a whole different ball game. I was immediately able to shift with 1 and 2 fingers. Night and day difference IMO.

  • smrookie

Posted 19 November 2008 - 10:13 PM

#13

It's all about the throw down below.":thinking:

If you adjust the clutch arm lever(one on top of the engine case) a spline closer in, it's easier to pull the clutch lever up top.:thumbsup:

  • Wrench_Pilot

Posted 20 November 2008 - 02:03 AM

#14

gotta try that, sounds interesting i just put a new cable on and its great two finger pull with ease, i have seen that mx bikes have a longer arm at the bottom that i think looks like it helps alot



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