Just wondering if anyone can help with an issue I have come across with my new toy?


bike

The problem is that the clutch is really sharp - to the point where it is really difficult to ride. It either stalls or shoots off like a startled cat. It seems that there is little or no room for error on the biting point and it doesn't seem able to be 'slipped' in the normal way by holding the lever at the biting point. It's more like an on/off switch which makes low speed manoeuvring very difficult.

I have ridden lots of bikes in the past and this isn't as it should be.

it doesn't slip at all and doesn't appear worn.

My good buddy (RichardK ) has suggested that it could be as simple as the wrong oil being present - could this be the cause or should I be looking at other stuff too?

Cheers

Mark

Oil. Replace the oil with whatever the manufacturers recommend and see what happens.

Is the cable adjusted correctly? There should normally be some slack in the cable...

Is it cable, have you got the recommended amount of free play at the lever ?

Ditto

[Edited on 4/3/10 by Peteff]

I doubt it's the oil. Wrong oil usually causes slippage. Cable or hydraulic clutch? If it's cable oil it. Properly. If it's hydraulic then more difficult. How many miles has it done?

ETA If the clutch does not slip then the cable free play is not a problem....

[Edited on 4/3/10 by MikeCapon]

Ok thanks chaps.

I'll change the oil anyway - does it matter if it's semi or fully synthetic?

I'll check the cable too.

any thing else? am I likely to have to take the clutch apart?

Cheers

Mark

Edit: it's done about 12k miles supposedly

[Edited on 4/3/10 by mookaloid]

If it's a cable clutch I'll put money on a dried out cable which will tend to snag as it lets out giving exactly the symptom you describe. You can buy a plastic cable oiler which you can squirt lube down to oil the cable completely. Keep oiling till you see oil at the other end of the cable.

Oh, and let us know what happens?

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeCapon


Oh, and let us know what happens?

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quote:

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Originally posted by mookaloid
Ok thanks chaps.

I'll change the oil anyway - does it matter if it's semi or fully synthetic?

I'll check the cable too.

any thing else? am I likely to have to take the clutch apart?

Cheers

Mark

Edit: it's done about 12k miles supposedly

[Edited on 4/3/10 by mookaloid]

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