Clutching at straws

[simon.holyfield]

Folks,

The clutch on my SQ4 is perfectly adjusted and works beautifully until the engine is hot, when it seems to get very stiff on the lever.

Any bright ideas why?

[Chris Sealy]

Could the engine heat be affecting the clutch cable. Many modern cables have a liner between the inner cable and outer sheath. If the cable is getting hot enough it may soften the liner. Just a thought. Cheers, Chris.

[simon.holyfield]

Could the engine heat be affecting the clutch cable. Many modern cables have a liner between the inner cable and outer sheath. If the cable is getting hot enough it may soften the liner. Just a thought. Cheers, Chris.

Could be. I've discovered that the clutch cable doesn't have enough play in it, so we'll see if that makes a difference.

[robjameson]

That could well be it. I once overheated the clutch on Dads MK2 while in stop start traffic in Milton Keynes, he ended up swapping bikes with me after first adjusting the cable right down to give some more free play. They do need a bit.

[simon.holyfield]

It's definitely better, but it's not as good as I'd like. Fine on the move, more notchy than usual at a standstill.

[will_curry]

Simon,

How is your clutch cable routed?

I find routing the cable down the front downtube and along the top of
the primary drive and then across to the gearbox works noticeably
smoother than under the tank and down.

It might not look so tidy but after a day's heaving on a heavy clutch
cable I know which I'd rather have.

[nevhunter]

All mine have ended up that way. I also regularly run gear oil down the cable using a piece of rubber pipe cut half way up one side and a hoseclamp. Nev

[paul.jameson]

Cable routing might well be the key here. I use Will's route on all my bikes. Another possibility might be water in the cable if the bike has been out in a downpour. In my student days, I used to use grease in the lver slots, etc. to prevent any water getting into the cables. It shouldn't be a problem though with nylon lined cables. Even these, I lubricate with engine oil, despite the warnings to use only Duck oil, and very rarely have any problems. But I think the time comes when the nylon has been worn through or the outer has cracked and the only option is to replace the cable.

[Simon.Gardiner]

My clutch cables are always routed under the tank - for GB box and BA box. I've never had a heavy clutch.
I must be on the dark side!

SG

[nevhunter]

Avoiding tight cable bends always helps.. I also set the clutch springs to just hold PLUS about 1/2 turn. Nev