Clutch diagnosis

[frodef]

I've had my 1986 K75C for some 17 years now. After winter now the clutch is acting up a bit: When I start up and put the bike in gear (clutch in), I increasingly feel a small push on the wheels. It's like the clutch takes a few revolutions to actually free up the coupling.

Beyond replacing the clutch cable a few times, the clutch is rather a "black magic box" to me still. Does this behavior signal work clutch plates? Something else? I don't think it's a matter of tightening the clutch cable (which I've tried).

I seem to recall that the PO recently had changed the clutch plates. That would be some 60kkms ago.

Any tips? thanks.

[Scott_]

Where I live, I have moisture leave a slight glaze on some surfaces over the winter season. Clutch disk, brake disks, etc.... take it out and ride it a bit to wear off the glaze.  Be sure to lightly lube the barrel ends on the clutch cable.

[frodef]

Thanks, I think you nailed it. I thought I'd lubed the barrel ends, but apparently not, or it didn't survive winter.

[Scott_]

I only mention the barrel end lube as a preventative to avoid a premature broken clutch cable. When the barrel loses lubrication, the friction of the brass barrel trying to rotate in the aluminum lever(when pulling the lever) will cause the cable to bend slightly. The more the cable bends, the individual strands will start breaking and eventually they will all snap and leave you without clutch control.... DAMHIK.....