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Re: Clutch adjustment

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:32 pm
by twist
Duane Ausherman wrote:I would never bother with that measurement, as it is way too slow. I can't believe that so much is made of adjusting the clutch. It is a really simple procedure.
I learned from another air head owner to use a piece of rod cut exactly to the length recommended and use that to measure the clutch arm distance. Very fast and easy.

Re: Clutch adjustment

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:17 am
by Ken in Oklahoma
I too have been puzzled by those who insist that the clutch arm be at a right angle to the push rod, for the reason that Duane mentioned. Looking at the trigonometry or force vectors would indicate that the difference for minor angular variations is insignificant.

I have always thought of the lever at the transmission as being a coarse adjustment used to get the adjustment range at the hand lever within a proper range. If the angle of the lever at the transmission is significantly off, it would seem to me that something is wrong, that the clutch cable sleeve length vs the cable length is wrong or something else is wrong with the pivot point at the transmission or the push rod, clutch release bearing, or other associated bit. And if something else is wrong, setting the angle to the "correct" position isn't going to fix it.

Am I missing something?


Ken

Re: Clutch adjustment

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:30 am
by chasbmw
Ken,

All I can reiterate is that for me this is a method that really does work to improve the gear change, probably becuause the clutch is engaging and disengaging cleanly, funnily enough with the clutch working properly it even seems to help make smooth(ish) clutch less changes, haven't a clue why that should be so.

Re: Clutch adjustment

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 4:38 pm
by Garnet
chasbmw wrote:Ken,

All I can reiterate is that for me this is a method that really does work to improve the gear change, probably becuause the clutch is engaging and disengaging cleanly, funnily enough with the clutch working properly it even seems to help make smooth(ish) clutch less changes, haven't a clue why that should be so.
Placebo effect. :geek:

Re: Clutch adjustment

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:27 pm
by Major Softie
Garnet wrote:
chasbmw wrote:Ken,

All I can reiterate is that for me this is a method that really does work to improve the gear change, probably becuause the clutch is engaging and disengaging cleanly, funnily enough with the clutch working properly it even seems to help make smooth(ish) clutch less changes, haven't a clue why that should be so.
Placebo effect. :geek:
That would certainly be the best bet.

Re: Clutch adjustment

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:55 pm
by Chuey
You know, I should probably stay quiet here under a rock. Thing is, the one and only thing I've noticed that makes my oldie shift better is to be riding in kind of a spirited manner. It seems to smooth things out and truly makes me feel like the bike likes that...hauling ass. I've tried the "preload the lever" and stuff like that..anything I've heard. Above is what I've observed. I'm cool with that.

Chuey