Clutch lever really hard to pull in…

Energy One
So I’ve adjusted the clutch lever several times and it doesn’t matter how it just said it still is very stiff to pull in the clutch lever. I’ve lubricated the cable and that hasn’t helped. I am not sure what else to do other than to adjust the clutch cable so far that it makes the lever looser but when I do that, then the clutch doesn’t engage any suggestions? . My other problem is I can’t figure out why when my bike is on. I can never get into neutral. I can only get it into neutral when I’m the bike is off what am i my missing.
 

mleach72

Well-Known Member
So I’ve adjusted the clutch lever several times and it doesn’t matter how it just said it still is very stiff to pull in the clutch lever. I’ve lubricated the cable and that hasn’t helped. I am not sure what else to do other than to adjust the clutch cable so far that it makes the lever looser but when I do that, then the clutch doesn’t engage any suggestions? . My other problem is I can’t figure out why when my bike is on. I can never get into neutral. I can only get it into neutral when I’m the bike is off what am i my missing.
The clutch on the 05-07 bikes is very stiff. In 08, they went to the EZ pull ball and ramp and 9 plate clutch. All you have to do is swap in the EZ pull ball and ramp. It will make a big difference. You can get them from Barnes Performance, Baker, or Curtis at wildsteedworx.com. There are several recent threads on this subject. Just do a search.
 

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
So I’ve adjusted the clutch lever several times and it doesn’t matter how it just said it still is very stiff to pull in the clutch lever. I’ve lubricated the cable and that hasn’t helped. I am not sure what else to do other than to adjust the clutch cable so far that it makes the lever looser but when I do that, then the clutch doesn’t engage any suggestions? . My other problem is I can’t figure out why when my bike is on. I can never get into neutral. I can only get it into neutral when I’m the bike is off what am i my missing.
Easy pull as mentioned. Second issue: when adjusting the clutch rod, seat the rod against the throw out bearing and back it off by 1/32" and lock it down. Many say to back the rod out a 1/4 turn which is too much.
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
Something else to do while you are in there, pull the rod out and smear it good with high temp grease and check for wear/straightness. And look at the tip to make sure there is no wear. The rods are only case hardened so once it starts wearing, it will go relatively fast along with the mating throwout bearing
 

kickstart

Well-Known Member
I would get in touch with Curtis (WSW) and get the easy pull and a new push rod. The 07 manual calls for 1/4" back off from contact and that works on my 07 K9 however many have found it's too much. I grease the pushrod heavy and run it in and out several times to distribute the grease evenly, and loosen the cable adjustment and put everything back together. Then finger tighten the cable adjuster and use a dime on the clutch handle for clearance. Finally I get the bike on a slight incline and fine tune the cable adjustment so the bike is not trying to move forward while in gear and goes into neutral without too much trouble and this can change a bit when she gets Hot and sometimes just a little rev will help it to get into neutral.
It's a process but when it right it's worth it.

Good Luck
 
Thank you everyone for your advice, I had to put my bike on the backburner thats why i hadn't responded. However, I am going to see if adjusting the clutches today helps, and then eventually order that easy pull. Does anyone have the contact information for Curtis at WSW? thank you again. Will keep you all posted.
 
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