Stiff clutch lever...

[fastfrank]

Hi All,

I know i've asked this before but didn't get much response.

When i'm accelerating hard (but not that mental) and go to change gear using the clutch the lever goes really stiff. If you slow off and cruise for a few moments its goes back to normal but today it stayed stiff for 2 miles or so.

I've noticed there's a squeak coming from the slave cylinder area which is audible once the engine if off as you pump the lever.

I can rule out clutch fluid here as that's been changed by myself and the dealer several times to no avail.

Anyone experienced this or any idea what it can be. It's certainly caused by the heat generated through hard acceleration.

Thanks
Frank

[The Male Whale]

Not sure if this will solve the problem but just bought one off ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Available in red and black as well.

Happy to sell you my old slave cylinder when the new one comes if you want to try that avenue?

On the Gas!

[The Dr.Jon]

Not sure if this will solve the problem but just bought one off ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Available in red and black as well.

Happy to sell you my old slave cylinder when the new one comes if you want to try that avenue?

On the Gas!

So, you haven't sold yer Tuono then Mr Whale? Thought she was going?

[fastfrank]

cheers malewhale,

seen those before and they look good - the thought had crossed my mind.

Does anybody find that the slave cylinder is 'really' host after a ride?

I've got this bad feeling that a bearing of something might be on it's way out.

[The Dr.Jon]

I have had no problems with mine thus far, including long hard rides and even a track day.
Good luck!

[fastfrank]

it only recently stated occuring this year but it's so intermittent.

kinda weird that it only happens when it gets hot - you'd expect the opposite.

[Harry H]

I have the opposite. The clutch really doesn't work properly when it's cold and it takes ages to heat up. Once you set off in the morning it's a good 20 mins before you stand any change of finding neutral again But once it's all warm everything is fine

[windy]

FF

Sounds to me like something is binding, it would explain the heat thing (friction) and the noise, take a good look at where the lever fits in to the handle bar thingy to see if it's got dirt in it. Just to make sure take the pin out clean, grease and replace (don't over tighten it) just a thought.

MF

[fastfrank]

getting neutral is alway crap on my bike regarless until it gets warm.

the squeak is definitley audible from around the slave cylinder area.

does anyone know if you can pull out that rod that goes from the slave cylinder throught the clutch barrel or would that be a bad move?

[The Male Whale]

So, you haven't sold yer Tuono then Mr Whale? Thought she was going?

Not that bothered one way or another Doc!

Not getting much use at the minute but the Fazer Thou is now up to just under 40,000 miles.....

Roll on the dry weather!

On the Gas!

[medburd]

I don't know about disecting the slave cylinder but my guess is that something is seizing up on you....I'm curious if you have somehow toasted the fluid at one point and this could be the reprocutions of broken down fluid not doing it's lubrication job and your experiencing the results. Even now that you have changed the fluid it could be too late damage done type scenario.....I wish I knew more about the system to help diagnose the problem....good luck..I would take it apart and try to clean it up or rebuild it checking or scaring in the bores where the piston slides....Is the bike still under warranty??

[BigK]

Mine did that to me one time about a month ago. I rode about 250 miles and got on to a dirt ( mountain road ) for about 14 miles. Needles to say , the bikes (mine and my budies FZ1) were filthy. We stopped by a do it yourself car wash and cleaned most off the grit off. Right after that my clutch did the exact same thing. Very stiff and sqeaked when pulled in. I still had 150 miles to get home so I thought I would just get it in gear and forget the clutch. After about five miles, I came to a stop light and instinctively pulled the clutch, to my suprise, the problem was gone. It hasen't done it since. I was thinkng maybe the cold water from the car wash on the clutch cover cooled the slave cyl. to quick and cause the clearances to be too tight. Then after warming up again, was ok.

[JVH]

Remove your clutch cover & check the pressure plate I haveseen a couple of bikes punch the bearing through or collapes the bearings

Regards John

[bigblackfalco]

Also I strongly recommend greasing the pivot pin on the clutch lever.Mine dried up early on.Made the clutch action heavy and squeaky.
Bailey.

[BenDTWR]

My clutch lever pivot point went really dry and squeaky over the summer so I took it out and cleaned it and greased it, now its doing it again and I havent really done that many miles on it. Also the fluid has become very discoloured very quickly especially when you consider that the bike has only been on the road since March of this year and only covered 1,800 miles so far, the brake fluid has'nt gone the same way.

Perhaps there is a better type of grease for me to be using rather than the normal 'grease' you get from Wilko's in a tub