clutch cable staying loose

surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
I've been having a problem with my cable coming loose every few days ... and I only ride about 4 miles to work. The nut is tight on under the rubber housing but you can still turn it with your fingers and it just loosens and creates a lot of play in the clutch handle. Any ideas? thanks ... :spank:
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
No problems here. I would put a bit of loctite on it and lock it down good and you should have no more problems.
Might want to spray it down with some brake cleaner to ensure a good bond.

:flag:
 
surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
Raywood said:
No problems here. I would put a bit of loctite on it and lock it down good and you should have no more problems.
Might want to spray it down with some brake cleaner to ensure a good bond.

:flag:
Click to expand...
It's not the nut coming loose ... it's the nut and housing that the nut sits on.
The nut is tight but the housing still turns with the nut tight on top of it. Something seems not right ... I think. Should the housing "free float" like that? thanks .... puzzled :bang:
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Yes it does. It should have 1/16 inch of clearance at the clutch handle after you've adjusted the clutch rod. Then slip the rubber boot back over it to keep it clean and adjust again as necessary.
Sounds as though you may not be expanding the cable enough. Is your clutch lever real loose?

:flag:
 
surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
With the handle bars straight there's a little play in the clutch lever. When I turn the handle bars it tightens up just a little bit. But after riding a few days to work there's about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch play. Normal? I don't know yet. Funny that I didn't notice anything for 3 years until now ... This site is great .... I've learned more in last few weeks than the first 3 years of owning this bike. And I'm sure that I'll learn a lot more ... it's been great and fun to work on the bike and see how things work and make it better. thanks
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Glad you are enjoying the site and particapating now. You have a great bike there as mine is.

I can't imagine your cable is loosening though if the nut is not backing off. Only way to gain a 1/2 or more of travel is if the cable is stretching or the nut is backing off.
I would loosen it all up again, adjust the clutch pushrod (there are "how to" in that section) then ensure all the cable collars are slid on properly and remove all the tension except enough to have 1/16 inch at the clutch lever.

Good luck.

Also, get a service manual, it's loaded with good things. :D
 
Nomad2day

Nomad2day

Longhair Redneck Geek
Raywood,
Could his clutch basket nut be loose and the engine vibration is running the nut in and out and the basket is loose causing the cable to loosen up as he rides to work?
Neil in Tenn
 
Last edited:
lee

lee

Well-Known Member
I don't think that is the problem - the cable runs from the lever to the ball and ramp mechanism in the belt cover - I can't think a loose clutch nut would have any affect on that - he would also have other symptoms if his clutch nut was loose.
 
dogvet

dogvet

Banned
surferdude said:
I've been having a problem with my cable coming loose every few days ... and I only ride about 4 miles to work. The nut is tight on under the rubber housing but you can still turn it with your fingers and it just loosens and creates a lot of play in the clutch handle. Any ideas? thanks ... :spank:
Click to expand...
If the nut is tight and you can turn the adjuster and create freeplay in the cable, the nut isn't by chance tightened down on the wrong end of the adjuster is it?

A loose clutch hub nut would create additional play in the lever, but that would be an immediate issue not something that takes a few days to happen.
 
surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
lee said:
I stand corrected!
Click to expand...
Here's what I think is happening .... the nut on top is tight but the vibration is turning the whole free play unit so that the tension becomes loose ... there's a lot of bumpy road here in Cottonwood and I try to stay off of them ... jk ..... I'm I adjusting the right thing to take up the slack? It's under the rubber sleeve. :bang: thanks for all your input ...
 
surferdude

surferdude

dry docked
FYI ... here's what I've done. Took electrical tape and taped the whole thing so it wouldn't move and rode from Cottonwood to Phoenix last Saturday ... the thing hasn't budged at all ... problem solved!!!! ... 2nd FYI rode 75 - 80mph got 43mpg (3300ft - 1100ft altitude) coming back (up hill)
rode 70 mpg got 51mpg ... smiling all the way down ... and smiling all the way up ... ordered a Yost power booster, 1 inch extender, not gutsie yet to drill out the restrictor plates ... waiting for some replacements just incase they don't work out. Will try one at a time to see what effect it has on performance ...
 
W

WikedLizard

New Member
Having the same issue. Went for a ride Saturday and lost my clutch. The adjuster keeps unscrewing from vibration. Is electrical tape the fix or has someone found a better option since 2008?
 
mleach72

mleach72

Well-Known Member
WikedLizard said:
Having the same issue. Went for a ride Saturday and lost my clutch. The adjuster keeps unscrewing from vibration. Is electrical tape the fix or has someone found a better option since 2008?
Click to expand...
It sounds like you have the locknut tightened on the wrong side of the adjuster. If it's on the correct side, the adjuster shouldn't come loose.
 
S

Sven

Well-Known Member
Senior moment here when I locked the nut at the pushrod side, not the lifter leg and eventually it rattled lose but still ran. Sure the lock nut is on the correct side? Spin the nut the opposite direction and lock it that way... see if the lever stops showing slack.

Sure sounds like it if you lock that nut and does the same thing, it's walking down the threads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top