Clutch free play?

simonjester · 07-07-2016, 09:45 AM

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm a newbie and I did a few searches here and on Google, but I couldn't find an answer. If my clutch is not engaging all the way, i.e. the bike acts like it is still in gear even though the clutch lever is fully squeezed, I need to decrease the clutch free play, correct?

pcspecialist · 07-07-2016, 11:17 AM

you mean not disengaging. Yes, take up some of the play, but, it may need to drag a little cold to be properly adjusted hot.

simonjester · 07-07-2016, 05:09 PM

Thanks for clearing that up for me!

Sorry, I thought when you squeeze the clutch lever you are engaging the clutch.

Ariel Red Hunter · 07-07-2016, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonjester

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm a newbie and I did a few searches here and on Google, but I couldn't find an answer. If my clutch is not engaging all the way, i.e. the bike acts like it is still in gear even though the clutch lever is fully squeezed, I need to decrease the clutch free play, correct?

I have seen in CB manuals, a reccomended free play at the handlebar of 1/4-5/16 inch. I don't know where they got that idea. I've ridden bikes for over 65 years, and never ran the clutch lever that loose. Not even on a Triumph 500cc brush jumper - famous the world over for having the dragginest clutch in the Western World. Could never get that bad boy into first from neutral without a crunch and a leap. Always run my clutch 1/8th inch slack. And I checked it ofton, like every few minutes, for slack.

Slopeflyer · 07-07-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonjester

Thanks for clearing that up for me!

Sorry, I thought when you squeeze the clutch lever you are engaging the clutch.

When you squeeze the clutch lever you are separating the friction disks (part of the clutch assembly) which disengages power delivery to the drive sprocket. One could see that as disengaging the clutch. Clutch engagement is letting go of the clutch lever (friction disks make contact and apply power delivery). I'm finding that I have to eliminate all free play in the clutch lever when cold in order to improve finding neutral when hot. With these air cooled engines, the expansion rate is high enough when hot to affect the free play compared to when cold.

Ariel Red Hunter · 07-07-2016, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonjester

Thanks for clearing that up for me!

Sorry, I thought when you squeeze the clutch lever you are engaging the clutch.

If you think about it this way, you'll never get confused again. If you have to squeeze the clutch lever to engage the clutch, that means you have to hold the lever in all the time you ride. Right? So when you release the lever the clutch must be engaged, because you are moving.

simonjester · 07-07-2016, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

If you think about it this way, you'll never get confused again. If you have to squeeze the clutch lever to engage the clutch, that means you have to hold the lever in all the time you ride. Right? So when you release the lever the clutch must be engaged, because you are moving.

That does help! You guys are awesome!!

simonjester · 07-07-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slopeflyer

When you squeeze the clutch lever you are separating the friction disks (part of the clutch assembly) which disengages power delivery to the drive sprocket. One could see that as disengaging the clutch. Clutch engagement is letting go of the clutch lever (friction disks make contact and apply power delivery). I'm finding that I have to eliminate all free play in the clutch lever when cold in order to improve finding neutral when hot. With these air cooled engines, the expansion rate is high enough when hot to affect the free play compared to when cold.

Thanks for the explanation! That helps a lot!

It appears eliminating free play is what I need to do too because I had the issue when the engine was hot.

Weldangrind · 07-08-2016, 11:16 AM

Don't shoot for eliminating freeplay completely; try to at least have some slack in the cable when the lever is released.

'16 TT250 · 07-08-2016, 11:46 AM

If the cable is too tight it could lead to problems, but only minimal free play is required. The oil type and condition can make a big difference on clutch operation so if it's got crappy or old oil in it change it out. If nothing simple fixes it it may have warped clutch plates.

FastDoc · 07-08-2016, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Don't shoot for eliminating freeplay completely; try to at least have some slack in the cable when the lever is released.

+1. Very important.

No freeplay and when the clutch heats up it will not completley engage and will slip. This makes it heat up more and slip more. Then it will fail, and contaminate your oil no extra charge.

I made this mistake on a Honda Shadow ACE 750 many years ago. Cost me a clutch and an oil change.

07-07-2016, 09:45 AM	#1
simonjester Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 311	Clutch free play? Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm a newbie and I did a few searches here and on Google, but I couldn't find an answer. If my clutch is not engaging all the way, i.e. the bike acts like it is still in gear even though the clutch lever is fully squeezed, I need to decrease the clutch free play, correct? __________________ 2016 CSC TT250
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07-07-2016, 05:09 PM	#3
simonjester Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 311	Thanks for clearing that up for me! Sorry, I thought when you squeeze the clutch lever you are engaging the clutch. __________________ 2016 CSC TT250
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07-08-2016, 11:16 AM	#9
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Don't shoot for eliminating freeplay completely; try to at least have some slack in the cable when the lever is released. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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07-07-2016, 11:17 AM	#2
pcspecialist Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 583	you mean not disengaging. Yes, take up some of the play, but, it may need to drag a little cold to be properly adjusted hot.
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07-08-2016, 11:46 AM	#10
'16 TT250 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Hacienda Heights, Ca Posts: 281	If the cable is too tight it could lead to problems, but only minimal free play is required. The oil type and condition can make a big difference on clutch operation so if it's got crappy or old oil in it change it out. If nothing simple fixes it it may have warped clutch plates.
	0