All 650's clutch cable maintenance

[Enrico]

Don't know about the routing of clutch cable but the slot in the adjuster sleeve should be turned so it isn't in line with the slot in the lever. I also fitted a rubber bellows cover over the adjuster. The dealer told me the clutch cable is Teflon coated I think they said ( or is the cable outer Teflon lined ?! )

 

[JDude]

50 km into my last ride, my clutch lever decided to not return on it‘s own. The bike has 30K km on it and this is the first time that this has happened. I was able to drive home by manually moving the lever in and out to start and then shifting without the clutch.
My question is what should I use to lubricate the cable? I was of the opinion that because it was Teflon lined that you weren’t supposed to but then read the service manual. It says to lubricate the cable if necessary but it doesn’t list what type of lubricant to use. I also looked from 1-4 to 1-19 in the manual but I don’t see it listed there either.

3-21 CLUTCH SYSTEM
Inspect the clutch cable for kinks or damage, and lubricate the cable if necessary.
Measure the clutch lever freeplay at the end of the clutch lever.
FREEPLAY: 10 - 20 mm (3/8 -13/16 in)
Clutch lever freeplay can be adjusted at either end of the clutch cable.
Major adjustment is made with the lower adjusting nut [1] at the clutch lifter arm.
Loosen the lock nut [2] and turn the adjusting nut as required.
Tighten the lock nut while holding the adjusting nut.
CB650RA shown:
10-20mm (3/8 - 13/16 in)
CB650R/RA:
MAINTENANCE
3-21

MAINTENANCE
The adjuster may be damaged if it is positioned too far out, leaving minimal thread engagement.
Minor adjustment is made with the upper adjuster at the clutch lever.
Loosen the lock nut [1 J and turn the adjuster [2] as required.
Tighten the lock nut while holding the adjuster.
If the proper freeplay cannot be obtained, or the clutch slips during test-ride, disassemble and inspect the clutch (page 11-10).

 

[Cláudio Nogueira]

50 km into my last ride, my clutch lever decided to not return on it‘s own. The bike has 30K km on it and this is the first time that this has happened. I was able to drive home by manually moving the lever in and out to start and then shifting without the clutch.
My question is what should I use to lubricate the cable? I was of the opinion that because it was Teflon lined that you weren’t supposed to but then read the service manual. It says to lubricate the cable if necessary but it doesn’t list what type of lubricant to use. I also looked from 1-4 to 1-19 in the manual but I don’t see it listed there either.

3-21 CLUTCH SYSTEM
Inspect the clutch cable for kinks or damage, and lubricate the cable if necessary.
Measure the clutch lever freeplay at the end of the clutch lever.
FREEPLAY: 10 - 20 mm (3/8 -13/16 in)
Clutch lever freeplay can be adjusted at either end of the clutch cable.
Major adjustment is made with the lower adjusting nut [1] at the clutch lifter arm.
Loosen the lock nut [2] and turn the adjusting nut as required.
Tighten the lock nut while holding the adjusting nut.
CB650RA shown:
10-20mm (3/8 - 13/16 in)
CB650R/RA:
MAINTENANCE
3-21

MAINTENANCE
The adjuster may be damaged if it is positioned too far out, leaving minimal thread engagement.
Minor adjustment is made with the upper adjuster at the clutch lever.
Loosen the lock nut [1 J and turn the adjuster [2] as required.
Tighten the lock nut while holding the adjuster.
If the proper freeplay cannot be obtained, or the clutch slips during test-ride, disassemble and inspect the clutch (page 11-10).

Hello.

I'm not a fan of lubricating cables and their housings. This cables have an interior "plastic" lining, that reduces internal cable friction.
When it starts to loose it´s function, lubricating it can improve a bit, but you would be avoiding the inevitable cable replacement.

Nevertheless, It might happen that you "just" had water and dirt ingress and that the cable and housing are still in good condition.
In that case I would try a bicycle specific Teflon / PTFE based oil. That will allow to flush out some debris and leave a protective layer of Teflon.
Other non specific oils can deteriorate internal lining and accelerate the housing degradation.

 

[miweber929]

50 km into my last ride, my clutch lever decided to not return on it‘s own. The bike has 30K km on it and this is the first time that this has happened. I was able to drive home by manually moving the lever in and out to start and then shifting without the clutch.
My question is what should I use to lubricate the cable? I was of the opinion that because it was Teflon lined that you weren’t supposed to but then read the service manual. It says to lubricate the cable if necessary but it doesn’t list what type of lubricant to use. I also looked from 1-4 to 1-19 in the manual but I don’t see it listed there either.

3-21 CLUTCH SYSTEM
Inspect the clutch cable for kinks or damage, and lubricate the cable if necessary.
Measure the clutch lever freeplay at the end of the clutch lever.
FREEPLAY: 10 - 20 mm (3/8 -13/16 in)
Clutch lever freeplay can be adjusted at either end of the clutch cable.
Major adjustment is made with the lower adjusting nut [1] at the clutch lifter arm.
Loosen the lock nut [2] and turn the adjusting nut as required.
Tighten the lock nut while holding the adjusting nut.
CB650RA shown:
10-20mm (3/8 - 13/16 in)
CB650R/RA:
MAINTENANCE
3-21

MAINTENANCE
The adjuster may be damaged if it is positioned too far out, leaving minimal thread engagement.
Minor adjustment is made with the upper adjuster at the clutch lever.
Loosen the lock nut [1 J and turn the adjuster [2] as required.
Tighten the lock nut while holding the adjuster.
If the proper freeplay cannot be obtained, or the clutch slips during test-ride, disassemble and inspect the clutch (page 11-10).

Personally I’d spend the $30 and replace the cable before messing around with lubing it. At 30k km it’s done its job for you. If something is in there to the point that the cable doesn’t work anymore, lubing it can help but it’s suspect from there on out. They do make specific cable lube.

I’d also be looking at other things being wrong like the return spring on the clutch arm being broken or disconnected or something in the case not right. That’s a fairly beefy return mech in it so if it’s not returning there may be other issues.

 

[Cláudio Nogueira]

Personally I’d spend the $30 and replace the cable before messing around with lubing it. At 30k km it’s done its job for you. If something is in there to the point that the cable doesn’t work anymore, lubing it can help but it’s suspect from there on out. They do make specific cable lube.

I’d also be looking at other things being wrong like the return spring on the clutch arm being broken or disconnected or something in the case not right. That’s a fairly beefy return mech in it so if it’s not returning there may be other issues.

Agree. If the clutch behaviour described started suddenly, I don´t believe the cable is the cause, unless you managed to get water inside with a power wash or rain storm.

Don´t forget the lever pivot cleaning and lubing with regular GP grease. I've felt my lever to become a bit sticky. Lubing the pivot made a huge improvement. Same to front brake lever.

But I would be glad to learn in the end, what was causing this. TIA

 

[JDude]

Personally I’d spend the $30 and replace the cable before messing around with lubing it. At 30k km it’s done its job for you. If something is in there to the point that the cable doesn’t work anymore, lubing it can help but it’s suspect from there on out. They do make specific cable lube.

I’d also be looking at other things being wrong like the return spring on the clutch arm being broken or disconnected or something in the case not right. That’s a fairly beefy return mech in it so if it’s not returning there may be other issues.

Yes, I agree I’ll probably replace the cable this winter if nothing else smooths it out. I should have put in my first message that I checked the return spring and it has a lot of tension pulling back. I’ll see if a lube of the cable and grease on the pivot joints solves it. The bike has been through all kinds of weather driving and sitting out when travelling. I’m a soft wash guy but the dealer gave it a wash after changing the tires. After that is when the issue happened so I’ll go around and lubricate everything I can. Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate it!