Clutch Lever Adjustment

Situation:
New bike, two mechanics, same strange (to me) adjustment
of the clutch lever. Both during the initial set up and
the 600 mile service, the mechanics set the clutch lever to
engage the clutch (disengage the gear) with less than 0.5" of
"pull."

Since the clutch lever has about 3-3.5" total travel,
it's much more natural to have the clutch engage at about 1.5".
Is there any mechanical reason to have the clutch lever adjusted
for minimum pull?

Thanks!

 

They probably have very big hands or they just don't know any better.The
service manual will have a spec. as to minimum allowable freeplay and that
is most likely where they are setting it

Set the clutch up to where it feels good to you (within reason) higher end
and aftermarket clutch assemblies have an adjustment on the perch to set
where the clutch lever engages in relation to the bar. (Goldwing etc.)

 

If you still have enough travel to fully disengage the clutch and prefer it
that way, try it. I set it up so there is just enough free play to make
sure the cable has no tension on it. I can't imagine having that much slop
in the lever. Unlike a car clutch that has a spring return, the clutch
lever on any bike I've had would just rattle around with 1.5 " of free
play.

 

As the clutch wears and the cable stretches the lever will disengage
the clutch at the shorter pull you mention.
Because its a new bike the wear and stretch occur more quickly than
normal until the parts 'settle in`. The mechanic may be making
allowances for this.
There is nothing wrong with adjusting the clutch lever to your
'comfortable pull range` as long as you get complete operation, (check
for that), but you might have to pay more attention to it and adjust
it more often if you do. - Easy enough on most bikes as long as you
don't get lazy.
Caution: On some bikes the clutch engagement changes as the bike
heats up. leave some allowance for this. Make sure you've got some
slack at both the 'full engage` and 'full disengage` ends of the lever
movement.

Best of Luck- Pragmatist -"R75/5 Forever!"

 

The GSF book calls for 10-15mm free play (.4"-.6"). Check each time
before you ride. Lee

 

Set it to your preference, and when you next take it in tell them to leave it alone.Many paople
haven't enought technical sense to know what it does, and the fitter is probably just playing it
safe.