As I was leaving work tonight I got on the throttle a bit and ripped through a shift from first to second. As I started to let the clutch out I felt a "bump" in the lever. Now the cable slack is much more then it was just before. Is my cable telling me it wants to be retired? Can the adjuster in the clutch pak jump the adjustment? Could the cable have not been set inside the tranny cover and now it is fully seated?
Cable is fully lubed just two weeks ago. Also if I have to go in and change cable can I save tranny fluid by leaning the bike over? I just replaced all fluids 2 weeks ago.

 

Do any clutch work lately? If not.... maybe new cable time....
How old is the bike, and what did you lube the cable with?

As far as the fluids... it's only a quart

 

Have you done recent work and had the cable slacked off. Perhaps it wasn't seated in the lever correctly and finally clicked into place? Are you able to adjust out the slack with the adjuster nut on the cable?

 

Now there is a thought...see if I can adjust it out. And no no recent work in clutch just a lube of the cable with dri slide which did mean collapsing adjuster. I thought it was all seated.
I will see if I can adjust it out tomorrow before I go get a new cable.
Oh yea it is on an 02 Fxd.

 

One thing i did early on and re do every year, is take the clutch lever off and clean the pivot point s and lube them and it makes a world of difference in how smooth the clutch works.

 

I would pull the side cover and inspect the cable end and make sure it is seated properly. Also inspect the lever end. Look for signs of fraying while you are checking. You will only loose a couple ounces when you pull the cover.

My cable broke a week ago while I was doing a benefit ride 80 miles from home. I was simply phucked.

 

I probably will pull the cover to look. But then, not knowing how old this cable is I may as well change it out and put the modern ramps in to make it pull easier. I really don't want to deal with a cable letting go miles from home.
To date I have never had a vehicle strand me in a tough spot if I watched for clues to something amissand act on it. Thats 2, 4 and 18 wheel's.

 

FYI, you can ride without the clutch. It's not the greatest for the trans but it can be done. However you need to push your bike as fast as you can and then drop it into first. And just shift really easy and don't come to a complete stop.
I don't plan on replacing my clutch cable till it breaks or frays. It seems to be fine and i've seen guys go 50k + with the stock one.

 

I just replaced it while I was in there inspecting it. Now I know a bit more about my bike. The old cable did seem to be OK but I did put in the newer ramps so it pulls a bit easier. Besides it has been rainig cats and dogs here.