Clutch lever bushing- Capt. 80's

For Captain 80's- in ref. to this post https://vfrworld.com/threads/1996-vfr750-clutch-bite-point.59849/#post-629999.
I stumbled upon that thread & removed mine ('86 VF500F) to chk. It's definitely worn as you've mentioned is common. From your experience, what is the symptom produced when this bushing is worn?
Thanks.

 

The friction zone will tend to be closer to the bar.

With that worn, you are losing "action", so the lever has to move farther towards the bar to disengage the clutch. Especially on the stock, non adjustable levers.

And some times the action just feels a little "off" too. Kinda hard to describe that one.

But usually they are like tires. They wear out over time and you don't realize what a difference it was until you get a new one.

 

Ok... does not sound like it would cure my symptom then. Clutch has very short distance to travel to engage, near the end of lever throw. Thinking it's worn friction discs.

 

Is it consistent? Or changes with heat?

Is it slipping in higher gears under a load?

Are the levers def original / stock?

Hyd clutch is self adjusting. A "worn" clutch on these models isn't usually felt at the lever. Mine never have.

 

In any case get a new bushing. You know you need one. They are expensive for what they are, I know.

 

Yes, very consistent.

No slippage detected. But, I do not ride it very hard.

Levers look to be stock.

I ordered one yesterday.

 

Miles on bike?

 

Close to 24K.

 

That is potential clutch zone. But I bet if you get it apart and measure, they will be in spec.

 

Next guess?

 

Sometimes "in spec" still doesn't feel right. But if it isn't slipping I don't think the lever feel could be so "off".

I would be looking at things that have rubber in them and are old, like a master cylinder. Things could be swollen and not reacting properly. Its the thing between the lever and the physical clutch.

Typically the slave cylinder either binds and/or leaks, but it could be sticking in the wrong spot. I would investigate both before cracking a crankcase cover.

 

Think I'll just order rebuild kits for both cylinders & try that. Can't hurt.

 

It was definitely worn although no discernable difference noticed once replaced. Maybe a bit less lever play.

 

Wow. Yeah that's a worn one. So, no difference in engagement point when riding huh?

 

No. Now I'm leaning toward replacing the clutch fiber plates. The hydralic action of the clutch feels solid, normal & consistent.

 

Get some EBC springs while you're at it.

 

I've never had one that bad.

 

I've taken some apart and the rod was worn all the thru. Now THAT affected clutch feel.

 

Found where sombody suggested tying the clutch lever back overnite. That did nothing.

 

Well...you can't throw ideas at it. You have to figure out what is wrong and fix that.

Some bikes seem to hold bubbles in places that are hard to evacuate. The theory is that making them smaller helps them escape overnight. It may also be that people have dirty piston seals and leaving the lever pulled tightly overnight moves the piston enough to make them feel the temporary improvement.

It worked on all of my FJs, which had clean pistons. .