Author Topic: Normal clutch force? (Read 3989 times)

Dinola · « **on:** September 24, 2012, 10:08:49 PM »

My '76 CB550K has what seems to be very heavy clutch force. I know its hard to describe, but.. comparatively, does this bike normally have a heavy clutch compared to contemporary bikes? Is there some way to mitigate this? I've lubed the cable and its still a bear to handle. I've only got the bike on the road recently and for a few short rides.. Makes good power, clutch seems properly adjusted but its hard on my hands just to do normal shifting. What else can I do?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2012, 11:13:14 PM »

My 74 550 has a relatively heavy clutch as well. Everything is in spec in there, and I've replaced the fiber plates, springs, and clutch cable. None of it seemed to help.

dave500 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2012, 12:52:25 AM »

i used genuine springs and it feels ok,ive never had a heavy one,use those exercise squeeze springs more and toughen up?

Dinola · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2012, 05:16:00 PM »

good to know is not just me. I am a bit older and some joint issues might be making this worse for me.
Its unfortunate, i like the bike

RFogelsong · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2012, 06:01:24 PM »

My old clutch cable (before it broke) made for a pretty heavy pull (I think it was original). Got a motion pro and it lightened up a bit. Just gotta remember its a 40 y/o bike.

killersoundz · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2012, 06:09:57 PM »

550 clutches should feel pretty easy. Check your adjustment

Tactical · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2012, 06:12:05 PM »

Even though you lubed the cable it could still be hanging up. For less than $20 you can usually get a new cable. Disconnect the cable and see if it's really as free sliding as it should be.

CoachDoc · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2012, 06:32:00 PM »

My '74 550 has always had a "heavy" clutch. Never changed with new cables in my case. Nowadays with hydraulic clutches the difference is profound. Just get used to it, I guess. I did and I don't even think about it anymore.

dave500 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2012, 11:36:09 PM »

adjustment wont affect the pull required,just be sure the cable is good and live with it,you might have one of those soggy limp handshakes?

trueblue · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2012, 03:38:14 AM »

Or someone has fitted heavy duty clutch springs to it, which really only help with strengthening your left hand.

mono · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2012, 04:20:50 AM »

i don't have weak hands, but when i first got my '75 550, my clutch hand would get tired after a couple hours of riding on the city streets. it had an older cable on it, and lubing didn't help much.

i recently replaced the cable and it isn't noticeably "lighter", but the pull feels smoother than before, which may help a little.

my two bits.

bollingball · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2012, 04:37:42 AM »

When I first got my bike it had a heavy pull. I took the cable off soaked it over night with blaster blew it out lube it up. It was a lot better but I got a new one from motion pro and it made a huge difference. Try a new one. They have some kind of plastic liner and don't require any lube it even said not to lube it. The lube attracts dirt.. For the money I would change it first. I can pull mine with 2 fingers.
Ken

Lars · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2012, 06:29:29 AM »

I think I have had about 7 Honda CB 550 K's, all years from 1974 to 1976. They have all been hard on the clutch, more than what I appreciate. Always replaced the clutch wire, but it did not make any magic difference. I now plan to replace the springs, but from what I can read on this thread I probably should not expect more magic. But do check the routing of the wire so it has a "free float" from handle and down, I have seen bikes where the routing has been poor.

However, yesterday a friend of mine visited me on a 1975 CB 550 K1, very nice bike with 6500 miles. I checked his clutch, and it was very smooth! No real force needed!!! Made me wonder....

Dinola · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2012, 08:55:42 PM »

Again, I appreciate all the input.
I had the cable off the bike and really flushed it through and then lubed it with a specific cable lube I've always used. I guess i should try a new one anyway though
However, I am an older fellow,, have a bit of joint issues in both hands and do have a hydraulic clutch on one of my other bikes so maybe I'm just old and expecting too much. Argh.
I give a new placement a chance and them maybe swap out clutch springs? Otherwise.. i gotta say.. i may have to let the bike go.

thrutheframe · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2012, 02:09:00 AM »

My guess is a routing issue. Have you pulled the tank to see if it is mis-routed?

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2012, 08:38:22 AM »

I have the same issue with my CB350K4. My hand gets tired after some city traffic. On the contrary, the CB750 has a light clutch action. The clutch cable was -is- new, with only 600 miles on it. I can't tell wether some PO replaced the clutch springs, but apart from that, I have been unable to find anything wrong in the rest of the clutch setup.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2012, 10:14:27 AM »

My 550 was a bit of a strain so I decided to replace the cable. It turns out it's a 500 cable so doesn't fit but, the action between my old cable and the new is miles apart no matter how much I lubed the old one.

Dinola · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2012, 07:16:17 PM »

Just an update: A new cable helped significantly, but this is still a very heavy clutch. Made the difference between keeping the bike or selling it. Maybe I'll explore the clutch itself this winter, but I feel, from other posts, that this is normal for the bike.

750resurrection · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2012, 08:00:57 PM »

Well, somebody needs to make a little electro/hydro force multiplier assist aftermarket. Man, that would be some big bucks selling those puppies.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2012, 09:54:04 PM »

anybody ever found a nice aftermarket lever? Maybe there is a dogleg one with better leverage...also I've noticed that when the lever pivot hole gets worn out and sloppy, you can definately feel the difference

trueblue · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2012, 01:18:31 AM »

A hydraulic conversion would probably help. I read a how to for a hydraulic clutch on a 650 a while back now, but when I went looking for it again I couldn't find it.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2012, 07:13:22 AM »

A softer throttle return spring would be the ticket. Anyone find a decent substitute?

MCRider · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2012, 07:18:50 AM »

I used one of these on a ZL600 to great effect. It has 3 internal setting to inrease the throw and ease the pull. You need some length of cable to fit it in, so real low bars or short cable may not work. The ZL bars had about 6 inch rise with a nice spread, about like stock CB750 bars.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/4223/ITEM/Moose-Racing-Easy-Pull-Clutch-System.aspx?SiteID=Google_PLA192&WT.mc_ID=10012&esvt=0-GOUSC&esvadt=9-0-3886819-1&esvaid=30548&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=4223&kw={keyword}&gclid=CNPA1dfchbMCFQpgMgodTGwATg

They are mostly used on big bore thumpers like 650 singles that have monster clutches.

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #23 on:** October 16, 2012, 07:27:20 AM »

Sean has a good suggestion on getting a better lever......

Lester............I got a hardware store spring with about half of the strength for my CB750. I would only do this with the safety backup of the push-pull cable system.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2012, 07:28:27 AM »

Quote from: Old Scrambler on October 16, 2012, 07:27:20 AM

Sean has a good suggestion on getting a better lever......

Lester............I got a hardware store spring with about half of the strength for my CB750. I would only do this with the safety backup of the push-pull cable system.

I have a kill switch.

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Author Topic: Normal clutch force? (Read 3989 times)

bollingball