I broke 3 clutch cables putting 20,000 miles on my '79 R 65. Every cable I bought was more expensive than the last. I carefully started using the clutch only when taking off. After 4,000 more miles and wearing out six more rear tires, (that's how I kept up with mileage after the spedo started going round and round) the clutch cable is still good.
I've only owned this new to me K 100 for three thousand miles and I'm doing the same thing, so far without problem. I never spline lubed the old R 65, even though the clutch began slipping pretty bad at the end when it was cold weather.
I could work on the old R 65 when needed. But this K bike is a little scary, reading the Clymer manual on just about any repair. Especially tearing the bike half apart just to do clutch spline lube. So I would like some informed reinforcement on the way I'm doing.
My questions; If I'm just using the clutch only 15% as often as normal, can I forestall clutch spline lube a proportional amount of the recommended mileage? Maybe every 50,000 miles or so?, 75,000 maybe? What would be the symptoms or indications of clutch spline lube needed being imminent? Is the K transmission different enough from the R I may be doing undetected damage to it? Appreciate the benefit of any experience here.
