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Clutch Adjustment

26K views 44 replies 23 participants last post by  BigBite 
#1 ·
I have always hated the way my clutch engaged at the far end of its travel. All the posts here I searched all have said there is no adjustment on these hydraulic clutches. A BMW mechanic also told me there is no adjustment. I have tried to get used to it, and over time, I have. However, I still did not like it.

I recently rode an 03 R1150GS, and the clutch was superb. It engaged at one third of its travel, just the way I like it. Now the master cylinder on the GS looks the same as mine, and it is also hydraulic. Why were they so different. I had a good look at the GS's master cylinder and mine and noticed a screw coated with red loctite between the grip and clutch lever. In the picture below, most of the loctite has been removed. On the GS, the screw was flush with the housing while on the GT, the screw seemed recessed.

So I decided to experiment, I broke the loctite seal and backed out the screw. Turns out it is some kind of actuator rod, and it's length has an effect on the clutch engagement point. Picture below shows the rod removed. I put it back in and adjusted it to be flush with the housing. Now my clutch engages about halfway, just the way I like it. Just make sure to put loctite back on the screw if you try this.

This rod is not shown as a separate part on RealOEM, I wonder why.















 
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#3 ·
Thanks post - very interesting - this late engagement of the clutch has bothered me for a while.
Going to give your idea a go see what happens .

The only worry is why the "experts" say there is no adjustment for this .

Dave
 
#5 ·
Thanks for having the guts to "let's see what this does"... Most interesting since a lot of "mechanics" don't know about it!!! Great bit of news. Just checked and my set screw is also a little recessed. Thanks for the help!
 
#6 ·
Mine looks about like the top picture, not flush but probably no more than 1 turn in from being flush.
If I back it out maybe 1/2 a turn it might make my clutch engage a little sooner is what you are saying? Mine engages a little later than I'd like also.
Gilly
 
#7 ·
its' my biggest complaint about this bike. The two clutches are different the GS is dry and the GT a wet. But still i have never had a clutch that acts this way on any of my previous bikes and they can't fix. I've been wondering about that also if there is an hidden part. this looks like an solution. :clap:

Does anyone have a service manual and what does it describe this screw as and any suggested adjustment from it? just curious. :dunno:

Thanks for the tip...
 
#8 ·
pchrt said:
its' my biggest complaint about this bike. The two clutches are different the GS is dry and the GT a wet. But still i have never had a clutch that acts this way on any of my previous bikes and they can't fix. I've been wondering about that also if there is an hidden part. this looks like an solution. :clap:

Does anyone have a service manual and what does it describe this screw as and any suggested adjustment from it? just curious. :dunno:

Thanks for the tip...
I have the service CD, there is no mention of clutch adjustment, nor is there anything in there about this screw.
 
#9 ·
GillyWI said:
Mine looks about like the top picture, not flush but probably no more than 1 turn in from being flush.
If I back it out maybe 1/2 a turn it might make my clutch engage a little sooner is what you are saying? Mine engages a little later than I'd like also.
Gilly
Worked for me, but I backed it out more than 1/2 a turn.
 
#10 ·
Just tried backing mine out, It would not budge... Screwdriver would not work so I used a 1/4 in. drive socket with a screwdriver bit...I got to the point where it felt like the shoulders of the screw head were about to snap off so I stopped! I guess I'm living with mine the way it is... :wtf:
 
#11 ·
Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the red Loctite is suppose to be permanent. Loctite has so many different formulas now its hard to keep up, but Red is usually a thread locker, and used on things which are intended never to be disturbed. I have not yet had a chance to try mine, but I sure hope it backs out, since I was never happy with the clutch actuation the way it is. Maybe a little freon on the screw might help.
 
#13 ·
It also doesn't help that the tool required to change or adjust is a slotted screwdriver... Torx or allen would have been nice!!!!!
No KIDDING. My old RT seemed to have a combo of Torx and Allen now this i have to get a new set up of Torx bits. :spank1:

Guess it was part of the plan. I would imagine if you get a new lever it'll have the same issue. I wonder about he Pazzo's or other aftermarket blades....

Anyone have any of those on their bike?
 
#14 ·
2008-K1200GT said:
Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the red Loctite is suppose to be permanent. Loctite has so many different formulas now its hard to keep up, but Red is usually a thread locker, and used on things which are intended never to be disturbed. I have not yet had a chance to try mine, but I sure hope it backs out, since I was never happy with the clutch actuation the way it is. Maybe a little freon on the screw might help.
Try using a little heat, Carefully heat the area around the screw with a heat gun and that usually loosens the grip of red locktight.
 
#17 ·
kakalika said:
The red loctite is not on the thread of the screw. Only on the outside, I believe to prevent the screw from falling out due to vibration.
That may be so but there isn't much left on the head of my screw and it still will not budge! I may have to try to remove the lever first in order to work on that adjusting screw, if that is even possible. How hard was it to get yours out?? :wtf: Like Brian suggests, I may try a heat gun to see if that works...
 
#21 ·
rebeltown said:
That may be so but there isn't much left on the head of my screw and it still will not budge! I may have to try to remove the lever first in order to work on that adjusting screw, if that is even possible. How hard was it to get yours out?? :wtf: Like Brian suggests, I may try a heat gun to see if that works...
Brian, I did what you suggested and used a heat gun. That did the trick!!! Loosened right up, Thanks!!! :clap:
 
#24 ·
Went ahead and backed mine out some, but not flush. Feels better already, could back it out a bit more but I don't think it will need to be quite flush to bring the engagement in where I like it. Thanks for the tip, this bike just keeps getting better with each mod. Gunna have to do that FRK thing soon. :D
 
#25 ·
Cant budge mine, screw head has started to tear at the edges, BUMMER!!!!!!!!
The clutch take up position is one of my real dislikes on the GT and for a moment there you had me in my happy place but alas!
Apparently the 1300 has it sorted but you have to take it with a piss cup.
 
#26 ·
MichaelA said:
Went ahead and backed mine out some, but not flush. Feels better already, could back it out a bit more but I don't think it will need to be quite flush to bring the engagement in where I like it. Thanks for the tip, this bike just keeps getting better with each mod. Gunna have to do that FRK thing soon. :D
Glad it worked for you. I have been toying with the frk thing, but I am leaning to going with the power commander, just waiting to have the dealer replace my airbox first.
 
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