Topic: Clutch lever VERY hard to pull...problem not with cable.

[Gorms]

As the title states, the problem is not with the cable but rather with the arm assembly that engages the clutch on the right side of the trans.  Is it simply that the four clutch springs are too stiff or can I fix it some other way?

[bistromath]

Have you compared it to other SOHC/4 bikes? Are you using aftermarket Barnett springs? It's a very stiff pull compared to modern bikes with hydraulic clutches.

[Gorms]

I have nothing to compare it to actually and its the original springs.  Its hard enough that it hurts my wrist after 15-20 clutch pulls.  I have started upshifting w/o the clutch.  I'm not a weakling and I know there is no way every clutch is this hard.

[i2edman]

I have the same issue, after 20min of driving my wrist is very tired. BUT it think it's the spring for sure that's causing this. I'll probably change them once I'm ready to replace my clutch. Unless anyone here have any suggestion?? pls help

[number13]

When you say the problem does not lie
with the cable, do you mean you tested
the cable disconnected from the clutch?
It could be the cable routing.

[MCRider]

How do you know its not the cable?

If all the hardware of the clutch is stock, then either you're a wimp, or its the cable. (No offense, just trying to make a point.)

It could be the routing, but if that is stock. Cables can be bad internally, they can be microscopically frayed causing lots of friction under load, but virtually undetectable when not under load.

Sometimes people think the cable is good because it hasn't seen much action, but that could be the worst. The lube will have drained out, and little balls of rusty corrosion breakoff the cable once put back in use, and if bad enough you can never get it clean or lubed back to snuff again.

Don't rule it out, especially if as said the clutch springs are stock and the lifter isn't damaged in some way. Only way you can really rule it out is to replace it.

Also the pivot hole in the lever can be worn, sometimes they have a little brass bushing that goes.

[CB750Winger]

 I'd agree with MCRider, either inspect the cable or the pivot arm behind the cover. Mine got sticky so I sprayed some PB Blaster on the pivot and freed it right up. Some of the older bikes had a grease zerk for the pivot so you might just need to lube the clutch system.

[Gorms]

This was an older thread and I got it sorted out.  It was a combination of bad cable routing, the cable needing lube, and stiffness in the clutch arm due to much time sitting.  Pretty smooth now.  I will admit that I was wrong and that the cable routing and lube probably had the biggest affect.

[lordmoonpie]

Can also be a problem if the bike is sat for a while - clutch plates bind with old oil and the motor needs spinning up to free them off. On an old XBR500 I had, it made it so difficult to start that I used to resort to taking the plates out and cleaning them after it'd been standing a long time. It's made worse if you suffer from wet sumping...