Topic: CB400F - Stiff Clutch, No cable binding

[PHeller]

I'm not sure if the stock clutch was replaced with one with stronger springs or what, but my clutch is pretty darn stiff. There is no "quick shift" about it, because the effort required to squeeze the handle is so hard that you can't really pull it in all that fast.

Is this just the nature of the beast, or is could be something be binding?

I checked the cable, disconnected from the lever, it moved freely.

[Triffecpa]

definitely something wrong.  The clutch pull on a stock CB400F clutch is pretty minor.

Tracy

[Simon]

On my 400F, I did the mistake of replacing the originals with «race» springs when I changed the clutch discs. They were yellow if I remember well. It was a long time ago. The clutch was slipping on hard acceleration in 3rd and 4th gear. I thought my springs were weak. Ordered heavy duty springs. Upon disassembly, realized I had a worn clutch. Ordered and installed the new clutch. Installed the heavy duty springs anyways. threw away the old springs (I never throw things away). The result is a hard clutch lever. No binding cable just heavy springs.

Might be your case also.

Simon

[camelman]

Try rerouting it.  The cable might move freely when disconnected from the clutch lever, but it could bind severely if it is bent sharply when the cable is hooked up to the clutch lever.

Camelman

[dragonsman]

I'll second camelman, when i put clubmans on my 400 the clutch cable was too long and caused a similar issue. You might have to fiddle a little bit to get it right. assuming its not the springs.

[anthony]

change the cable it was expanded to me that what happens is the cable wares a grove in the lining witch under load it causes binding. mine was $20 for my 77 550k