Clutch lever turned stiff all of a sudden...

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Clutch lever turned stiff all of a sudden...

ETFerguson
Hello everyone! Greetings from Canada... winter is almost over! I promise I will add some pictures of my build soon I sincerely apologize. I installed clubman bars on my 82 750K today and all was going splendid (rerouted the cables and throttle is working great, etc) BUT after I clamped my clutch side down I tried to pull the lever in and wowsers is it stiff. I know, I know, Clubmans mean extra cable length but I've even held my clutch housing in the air with no bends hardly in the cable and it is still crazy stiff so it's not the bars. See the problem is that I don't remember trying the clutch lever in the last month or so and therefore I have no comparison to go off of from the last time it worked properly.

I'm still a beginner here but am I right in assuming that if I haven't touched the adjuster nuts at the entrance to the actual clutch that I most likely haven't created a new issue for myself? I have fiddled with the adjuster at the lever but that wouldn't be making it super stiff would it? I'm afraid my clutch is stuck, seized, etc. Any help or troubleshooting tips would be appreciated.

Lastly, if I really pull it hard I can move the cable but like I said it's stupidly stiff. Maybe I just need to really yank it a few times to break some cold gunk away and then lube it up? Note that it's been sitting in my frozen shop all winter except when I turn the heat on to work on it once and awhile.
- E.T.

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."
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Re: Clutch lever turned stiff all of a sudden...

TOOLS1
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Try undoing the cable from the actuator, and see if it is stiff. It could be that the cable has frayed, or corroded in the sheath. If it moves free, you have a problem in the actuator, or clutch.
TOOLS
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Re: Clutch lever turned stiff all of a sudden...

shinyribs
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In reply to this post by ETFerguson
Disconnect it from the engine and see how it feels then. If still stiff, disconnect from the lever and try again. Chances are it's not the lever, but it is possible for it to be in the pivot. Chances are you need to either clean/lube your cable. Or may need a new one.



Get yourself a cable luber. Super cheap ($8-10) and is a real life saver. The straw off an aerosol can fits in to the luber. Clean with some PB Blaster and lube with your weapon of choice. I use whatever cble lube my buddy gave me for free. Sorry, no clue what it is. Graphite based, I believe?

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Re: Clutch lever turned stiff all of a sudden...

Re-run
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I have one of those and it is ok. I can't spray to hard or spray will go everywhere still. My favorite method is to cut a tennis ball in half and drill a hole at the bottom of 1 half just barely big enough for the cable to fit into. Put the cable in and fill it with lube and hang it up. The lube will work its way down and when it drips, it is lubed well and good! Moving the cable helps speed the process.
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!