Topic: Figured out why my clutch hasn't been engaging right!!

[bleuquila]

I've been having clutch issues, put a new cable on, but between the coller at the top, the bolts at the bottom and of course the giant adjustment screw, I just wasn't getting good feedback at the grip..   It felt like something was sort of happening, but not very well, and I couldn't get it to firm up to save my life. 

So last night a friend of mine with more of a "feel" for bikes took a look at adjusting it, and was having the same problems.  Took the cover of the clutch linkage again and was messing around with the spiral doohiky that turns the twisting motion into a lateral pushing on?  Upon inspection, it was shattered on the inside and spinning with only slight resistance! 

Anyway, got a good one from my trusty parts bike and all it well now.  Mystery solved! See attached for greusome details!

[Einyodeler]

A common occurence on the 500 , another problem was broken shifter rods which is why the actuator was redesigned and moved to the right side on the 550`s.

[Paul]

Mine broke too, when I looked at it I saw that the lateral movement brought the spiral thingy way out as if over-reaching to touch the shifter rod. My shifter rod turned out to be way too short (Don't know if it was worn or it was a replacement. I made the new shifter rod long enough so the spiral was not far from home when it was activated. (you probably know, but make sure the ball hasn't fallen out when you weren't looking)