How to Adjust a Motorcycle Clutch Cable
The proper adjustment of a motorcycle clutch cable is an important thing. To make sure that your cable is at the proper tension, follow these simple instructions. When adjusting the clutch cable, keep in mind that you want to keep enough free play in the line to prevent drag on the throwout mechanism, but you also want to apply maximum throwout stroke to the pressure plate.
A good guideline is that if you have under 1/8”, or about anickel’s worth, of cable moving at the handlebar before you can feel it working, it’s probably fine. If it’s any looser than that you’ll want to tighten the cable.
First, pull the rubber sleeve back to expose the adjustment screw and the locking wheel. Next, turn the locking wheel counterclockwise to loosen it.
Check the gap, and if you find you need to change the tension, adjust the screw to make the cable tighter or looser. Turn it clockwise to loosen it, and counterclockwise to make it tighter.
When you have the cable where you want it, put the locking wheel back down. Screw it back into place by hand, not too hard, or you’ll have trouble getting it off if you need to adjust the clutch cable in the future.
Most motorcycles operate on this same basic plan, though some brands may have extraneous pieces that need to be adjusted first, like screws or covered panels.
Triumphs, for example, arenotoriously hardto maintain. To access the clutch cable, you’ll want to loosen the adjusting nut at the handlebar. Next, unscrew the slotted plug at the back of the primary chain case cover to check the pushrod. Loosen the locknut and turn the screw until you feel resistance.
Loosen the screw a little, and then tighten the locknut around it. You’ll have to tighten the locknut without tightening the screw, which can be finicky. Once you’ve done all this you can adjust the motorcycle clutch cable at the handlebars as described above.
Keep in mind, too, that new clutch cables will stretch over time. Even if you get the tension right the first time, you’ll probably have to go back and do itlater. From a purely roadside-maintenance perspective, it’s worthwhile to practice doing it once or twice when it’s not essential. You don’t want to get stuck on a highway roadside somewhere with a spongy clutch cable and no idea how to fix it.
