2001 GSXR600 stiff clutch pull

Discussion in 'Performance & Technical' started by Lowlife667, Apr 1, 2019.

  1. Lowlife667

    Lowlife667 n00b

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    I bought an 01 GSXR600 last winter to be a track bike. The clutch pull was very stiff when I bought it. It had been down on the left side and the cable had been pinched. So we thought that was the issue.

    New cable, no help.

    So I pulled it all apart and checked the smaller parts. The screw assembly was missing a couple of the bearings. So we replaced it and the return spring just because. It got a little better after that.

    The plates are all in correctly and the springs have been replaced and are torqued correctly.

    We've adjusted the cable and gotten it to be a better pull. But it's still a lot of grunt to get the lever back.

    I've had and ridden older Suzukis, and newer Hondas, Ducatis, Harleys, Triumphs, and BMWs, and have never had a clutch that took this much effort to pull. I'm having a hard time imagining more than 1 track day at a time, and wondering if I'll even make it a full day without my left arm being on fire.

    I'm not a gym rat. But I'm not a weakling.

    Is there anybody out there that knows what I can do to make this clutch pull more easily?
     
  2. mattinrsm

    mattinrsm Old dude

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    All I can suggest is to keep working through the system. Some thoughts (you may have already checked some of these):

    -check the clutch perch and lever for correct operation (not pinched / no drag) and ratio. I've seen replacement parts with the wrong ratio increase pull effort, or cause disengagement issues
    -which clutch springs did you put in? I find many of the aftermarket springs very strong and hard to pull. I prefer OEM most of the time.
    -check that all pull / operational angles are properly aligned for easiest pull. No line pinches obviously.
    -check the clutch basket to make sure it's not warped or mis-shaped.
    -verify all moving parts / shafts / etc. are straight, move freely, and aligned.

    There's no magic here. It sounds like you just need to find what's causing the high effort. Good luck.

    Matt
     

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