Really hard to pull clutch

[1greghouse]

I have an '82 X400 Heritage Special. It's been sitting in my brother-in-law's garage for the last 10 years. This is my first bike... After my friend got a new carb for me I rode the bike home (70miles). The only uncomfortable part of the ride was my left hand because the clutch is really hard to pull. Is that a handle thing? Does the wire just need lubing?

While I'm on the topic of levers... the mirrors on this bike are attached to the levers. The brake side port for the mirror is totally broken. Can I put really simple levers on and then put bar end mirrors on without screwing everything up? Is the break light attached to the lever?

Thank you for all the help! I LOVE XS400.com!

Greg

 

[OleDoc]

Lube your cable.Your master cylinder should be attached to your lever and if you remove it you won't have brakes,unless someone converted to drum brakes up front, which is unlikly.Depends on state laws, but here in new york you only need one mirror.I agree with the love here.Now if i can get drewpy to let me hang out with nikita???:

 

[OleDoc]

Lube your cable.Your master cylinder should be attached to your lever and if you remove it you won't have brakes,unless someone converted to drum brakes up front, which is unlikly.Depends on state laws, but here in new york you only need one mirror.I agree with the love here.Now if i can get drewpy to let me hang out with nikita???:

I take that back.It seams some models had drum brakes up front.sorry.if that is the case,then you could just replace levers.look to see if there any wires coming out of levers.that will tell you if the brake switch is on the lever.by the way, i like the look of bar mirrors

 

[Greasey Fingers]

If its not the cable itself check the little bolt on the lever isnt too tight, could be that simple.

Pull your clutch lever in and cable tie it to the handle bar and leave it over night, that can free up the clutch plates, works wonders. I did it to mine which was tight and it helped it heaps, was much better after that.

 

[1greghouse]

This is great advice!! Thank you so much! I'm going to give it a try and I'll keep you posted. I don't even know what I don't know yet so this is great!!!

 

[CadXS]

Another common problem is a broken clutch push rod. This means when you pull the clutch the two broken pieces flex slightly and don't push against the friction plate very much.

 

[drewpy]

If its not the cable itself check the little bolt on the lever isnt too tight, could be that simple.

Pull your clutch lever in and cable tie it to the handle bar and leave it over night, that can free up the clutch plates, works wonders. I did it to mine which was tight and it helped it heaps, was much better after that.

you can't over tighten the bolt, its shouldered! you don't want that coming loose on a ride.

good idea on the plates though

 

[1greghouse]

So if I tie the clutch handle to the handlebar over night and if the clutch push rod is broken, will that make it worse? Can I easily check the push rod before tying it down?

How many ways can I say "thanks," you guys rock!

 

[xschris]

Its easy to take out the pin just remove the side cover and slide it out. Just make sure you don't loose the ball bearing that is at the other end sometimes it will come out but not always.

 

[226dark]

Its easy to take out the pin just remove the side cover and slide it out. Just make sure you don't loose the ball bearing that is at the other end sometimes it will come out but not always.

Great pics Chris, as always. Indeedy, make sure the small steel ball doesn't get suctioned out with the clutch pushrod.
I DOUBT that it's broken but you should take the thing out and roll it on glass to make sure it is straight!

Do you know how to adjust the clutch cable from the case side?

If its not the cable itself check the little bolt on the lever isnt too tight, could be that simple.

Pull your clutch lever in and cable tie it to the handle bar and leave it over night, that can free up the clutch plates, works wonders. I did it to mine which was tight and it helped it heaps, was much better after that.

I read somewhere someone who had sticky clutch plates on his bike which sat too long before he bought it. He just rode the bike front wheel against the garage wall and let the clutch slip for awhile.

Someone else who drained the oil, poured MMO with clutch disengaged between the plates and hand turned it, also in a slipping, half-in fashion.

Make sure the cable is lubed and not binding or kinked.
Or maybe the lever pivot bolt itself is way too tight, aha, that would make it hard to pull, ha.

 

[226dark]

you can't over tighten the bolt, its shouldered! you don't want that coming loose on a ride.

good idea on the plates though

or maybe I'm wrong about that! I will check then

 

[xschris]

When I get a bike that had sat a while I will put it in gear (not running) then pull the clutch in and rock it back and forth to allow the plates to slide You can always just use the kick starter with the clutch pulled in to move the plates.

 

[drewpy]

When I get a bike that had sat a while I will put it in gear (not running) then pull the clutch in and rock it back and forth to allow the plates to slide

if you do latin dancing, it could be the cha cha slide......

 

[xschris]

What ever you want to call it