My clutch has recently got to the point where it takes a full pull right to the grip to be able to change gear when going into neutral from first, sometimes it just won't change either, feels really stuck with pressure against my foot so i have to hold the clutch lever in at the lights. Dry clutch, not ideal. While i'm moving at speed it changes into any gear with just a small pull of the lever. Do i need new plates? Is the extra pull required on the lever something to do with the clutch cable? Are the Newfren plates the best ones to get?
Also check your chain tension. I find that the first indication I get that it needs adjusting is I have problems getting neutral. Andy
I think you'll have a hose with fluid in it, not a cable. You can tell by a reservoir on top of the clutch lever.
As already suggested I would bleed the system first to make sure you are getting full pull with the lever before investing in new clutch plates. If the clutch plates were worn I would expect slip on full power. Newfren plates are a cheaper alternative but as I havn't tried them I can't comment on their reliability. Steve
Start with bleeding. I'd probably be looking at striping down, cleaning out the slave unit depending on what one it is. Then after the slave check out the clutch basket for notching cause by the plates. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Unless you've changed your plates recently and it doesn't sound as though you have, it's almost certainly drag caused by air in the hydraulic circuit. The idea of hydraulics is that the fluid is incompressible, so all the movement at the clutch lever is translated into movement at the plates. However air does compress, so all the clutch lever movement doesn't get to the plates. As you are no mechanic, you could try cable tying the clutch lever to the bar overnight. This may or may not be a permanent fix but if it helps at all, you know you're on the right track.
The only certain thing about the cable tie trick is that it can't do any harm. It's controversial in that some people poo-poo it and say it can't possibly work and others say it can only work temporarily. However, enough people have had success with it that it's definitely worth a go. I've had success with brakes but never actually tried it on a clutch. Actually, while you're at it, try it on the brake too and let us know how you get on
I've been using this method for a number of years sucessfully. However, I only do it as a final finishing off bleed, having done the main fluid replacement with a vacuum bleeder, followed by a quick manual bleed to remove any obvious air bubbles. I've never had any issues with any air trapped using this combined method, though I would suggest that using the cable the method alone will only result in a very temporary cure, depending on how high up the brakeline any bubbles are trapped.
