01 FXDX

Today while I was out running errands I was stopped and because it's a PITA to get in N while stopped I just sat there in 1st with the clutch in. The bike would lurch a very very small amount at about every cycle of the engine. Not enough to move the bike but enough to make me notice that it felt like the bike wanted to move.

So I got home and adjusted the clutch just like you're supposed to: loosened the cable till there was a bunch of slack then tightened the bolt behind the derby cover till all the slack was gone and pulled it a few times to make sure it was good, and loosened it 3/4 of a turn and tightened it back up and then adjusted the cable to get all the slack out and left aboit 1/16"-1/8" of gap between the cable and the cable housing of the lever. And because of course something went wrong. As I snugged up the bolt on the cable it broke so now the cable still works but it's definitely shot, when I pull the clutch the break has no effect on it and there is no flex at the break point so that's a plus bit yeah I went full dumb dumb and it went righty loosey. It's the braided drag specialties cable in case anyone is wondering.

I just got back from a ride to dinner and after I left the restaurant I was at a signal again in 1st because I didn't have time to find N while rolling and it was trying to lunge forward while I was stopped. Again not enough to move the bike but barely enough to make me need to give it a smidge of throttle to keep it from stalling, the engine was lukewarm so I didn't have the choke in. It idled fine in N in the parking lot so I didn't bother with the choke.

Sooooo I'm pretty sure my clutch is shot and I need new discs (along with the new cable). However I have a 260 mile (each way) road trip to see family starting this sat returning like Thurs, mostly back roads 2 lane highway and it's my only vehicle. Is there any way I can adjust things to make it grab a little more to squeeze a bit of life out till I can replace the clutch the following weekend?

 

I don't quite understand what it was that got broken, if it is the cable itself that is damaged you can count on it breaking completely at the most inconvenient location of course.

As for the adjustment, you can try to back it out less than 3/4, especially if your engine is stock and you drive a bit sensibly the risk of clutch slipping is minimal. I think you can get away with 1/4 turn.

 

The cable itself is in perfect health it's the adjuster bit broke, so there are 3 parts of the adjuster spot the upper that is the female threads, the lower that is male threads, and the lock nut. The lower broke off inside the upper while I was tightening the lock nut.

 

Your clutch needs to be adjusted when the bike is cool. If you did your adjustment as soon as you got home while the bike was hot that's the reason that your adjustment is "off", I would start with a proper adjustment before throwing parts at it. As for the cable (meaning the entire clutch cable, not just the actual cable inside the sleeve) if the adjuster is broken, it needs to be replaced.

 

Can't believe I forgot to let the bike cool, didn't even think about it, and sure as **** right there in bold do this on room temp bike 🤦‍♂️

Well I just finished adjusting it and I was able to screw the broken bit further inside the one side eof the cable adjuster and with the new adjustment I didn't have to unscrew it as far so it's still screwed in. I'm still gonna get a new cable but now I feel a little better.

Gonna take my fiance to work today to see how it feels when I get to a stop or signal.

 

Did you cycle the lever to reset the ***** on the clutch release ramp? and did you put too much fluid in the primary. there is a caution in the service manual and owners manual, too much fluid will cause difficulty in finding neutral Sounds you will need a new clutch cable also.