Author Topic: Clutch Adjustment Question (Read 17019 times)

C14-Pilot · « **on:** August 06, 2011, 02:19:33 PM »

Guys,

Is there anyway to adjust the clutch on the c14 other than bleeding the line.
I have tried bleeding the line and that doesn't seem to change things at all.

My clutch doesn't engage until the lever is about 80% to the handle bar or starts dis-engaing about 20% out from the handle bar.
The lever adjustment is in the 1 position which is the most aggressive position.

Any suggestions appreciated!

later,
C-14 Pilot

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2011, 05:15:37 PM »

Other than adjusting the lever, no.

B.D.F. · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2011, 06:22:35 PM »

As Jim said, there is not an adjustment on this clutch. The clutch is painfully difficult to bleed though so it is entirely possible there is still air in the system even after pushing a pint of brake fluid through it.

Also, take off the clutch lever and clean and lube the pivot points and the sides of the lever where they move inside the lever housing. The pivots tend to get dry and act very poorly without ever being noticed by the rider.

If it isn't one of the above, it is probably time for the master cylinder, the slave cylinder or both to be inspected. My slave cylinder was replaced under warranty when it began to act erratically but I do not remember the mileage on the bike at the time. It was fairly high though, maybe 40K miles.

Brian

Quote from: C14-Pilot on August 06, 2011, 02:19:33 PM

Guys,

Is there anyway to adjust the clutch on the c14 other than bleeding the line.
I have tried bleeding the line and that doesn't seem to change things at all.

My clutch doesn't engage until the lever is about 80% to the handle bar or starts dis-engaing about 20% out from the handle bar.
The lever adjustment is in the 1 position which is the most aggressive position.

Any suggestions appreciated!

later,
C-14 Pilot

Stavee · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2011, 07:44:08 AM »

Bleeding the clutch is a royal pain. There is a considerable amount of air that gets trapped at the banjo fitting of the master cylinder. The only way to remove the air is to break it loose and bleed the banjo fitting. I had the master replaced under warranty. I had some 50k on the bike at that time.

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2011, 11:42:47 AM »

I've flushed mine multiple times without issue. It get's to be a bear if the lines are new or you are replacing components, however.

JS_racer · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2011, 04:28:27 PM »

the trick is to crack the bleeder during the stroke and close it before the end of the stroke. the process will be a quick bleeder crack a few times, and longer the system will take in air. hope this helps.

Joel

stevewfl · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2011, 05:11:55 PM »

Quote from: JS_racer on August 11, 2011, 04:28:27 PM

the trick is to crack the bleeder during the stroke and close it before the end of the stroke. the process will be a quick bleeder crack a few times, and longer the system will take in air. hope this helps.

Joel

^^^^^trick to bleeding anything right there.

jjsC6 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2011, 08:00:32 PM »

Now that everyone has addressed the "how to bleed" question, let's save him the trouble. I think the clutch engagement is not related to it needing bleeding. I could be wrong, but I think the issue is common. Mine is the same way. I got used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore.

lather · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2011, 10:05:45 PM »

My bleeding trick is the $10 Motion Pro bleeder, as simple one-way valve and two lengths of hose that you slip on the bleeder nipple. Just open the nipple and pump away. Refilling after replacing my front brake lines was a 5 minute job, same for the clutch.

Conrad · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2011, 05:11:43 AM »

Quote from: C14-Pilot on August 06, 2011, 02:19:33 PM

Guys,

Is there anyway to adjust the clutch on the c14 other than bleeding the line.
I have tried bleeding the line and that doesn't seem to change things at all.

My clutch doesn't engage until the lever is about 80% to the handle bar or starts dis-engaing about 20% out from the handle bar.
The lever adjustment is in the 1 position which is the most aggressive position.

Any suggestions appreciated!

later,
C-14 Pilot

My clutch acted the same way that yours did when I came back from a two week vacation. I got on the bike and went to take off and was startled when the clutch engaged almost right away. I stopped and tried it again and got the same thing. By the time I got to work it was back to normal. I don't know what was going on with it but I'll be replacing the fluid and bleeding the system as part of my winterization this year.

C1xRider · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2011, 02:15:18 PM »

Quote from: Conrad on August 12, 2011, 05:11:43 AM

My clutch acted the same way that yours did when I came back from a two week vacation. I got on the bike and went to take off and was startled when the clutch engaged almost right away. I stopped and tried it again and got the same thing. By the time I got to work it was back to normal. I don't know what was going on with it but I'll be replacing the fluid and bleeding the system as part of my winterization this year.

Mine has done that twice now, but in both cases, it didn't repeat itself (each event was months apart). Changing the fluid is still on the todo list, but just slipped down the list a little more.

Now I always try the clutch a couple times first thing in the morning, before putting it into gear. Maybe that's why it hasn't done it since?

Tactical_Mik · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2011, 05:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Conrad on August 12, 2011, 05:11:43 AM

My clutch acted the same way that yours did when I came back from a two week vacation. I got on the bike and went to take off and was startled when the clutch engaged almost right away. I stopped and tried it again and got the same thing. By the time I got to work it was back to normal. I don't know what was going on with it but I'll be replacing the fluid and bleeding the system as part of my winterization this year.

My friends bike does the same thing. We bled it three times over about a month. Each time we bled the system the clutch would return to normal for a period of time. Yesterday, we replaced the seals and spring in the slave and then bled again. If it continues to happen I think our next thing will be to rebuild/replace the master.

gPink · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2011, 06:02:43 PM »

Is there any commonnallity between the machines such as mileage?

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2011, 06:24:16 PM »

Color of the bikes?

gPink · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2011, 07:11:12 PM »

Fastest color can't have a bad clutch.

Shadowofshoe · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2011, 08:08:02 PM »

Quote from: C1xRider on August 12, 2011, 02:15:18 PM

Mine has done that twice now, but in both cases, it didn't repeat itself (each event was months apart). Changing the fluid is still on the todo list, but just slipped down the list a little more.

Now I always try the clutch a couple times first thing in the morning, before putting it into gear. Maybe that's why it hasn't done it since?

My cold start-clutch, in-first gear start- when done has noticeable clutch drag, but at operating temperatures its great and I haven't given it another thought. Maybe I should.

Mike

Conrad · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:15:23 AM »

Quote from: Tactical_Mik on August 12, 2011, 05:55:47 PM

My friends bike does the same thing. We bled it three times over about a month. Each time we bled the system the clutch would return to normal for a period of time. Yesterday, we replaced the seals and spring in the slave and then bled again. If it continues to happen I think our next thing will be to rebuild/replace the master.

That's just great, I sure hope that mine doesn't act up again.

Conrad · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:16:11 AM »

Quote from: gPink on August 12, 2011, 07:11:12 PM

Fastest color can't have a bad clutch.

That's right, I'm sure that my issue was just a fluke.

Tactical_Mik · « **Reply #18 on:** August 13, 2011, 11:47:10 AM »

As far as mileage, my friend Steve has an 08 that he picked up with just over 2k on the clock. It has 14 on it now. We are hoping that the issue was the slave and was a result of sitting for so long. Time will tell.

Fretka · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2011, 01:14:09 PM »

Actually I believe you can change the release point by adjusting the locknut found on the actuator rod that connects the lever to the piston, (under the rubber bellows).
Most assy's are adjustable but I have not pulled mine to check to see if this particular model does.
Both brake and clutch are the same build design. If you wanted to try you should be aware that no shop or manufacturer would approve you doing this as getting it wrong will easily lock-up your brakes or render your clutch un-useable.

If you do this: A LITTLE ADJUSTMENT GOES A LONG WAY.........Be careful.

Fretka

News:

Author Topic: Clutch Adjustment Question (Read 17019 times)