GSX1100 clutch

[TonyGee]

I love riding my GSX11 but one thing that I don't like is the heavy clutch pull.  I have R.A. so its a real struggle to pull when in traffic and just ruins the experience !!!  if it wasn't for the R.A. i'd live with it.   ive fitted new plates and standard springs, a new cable and even a needle bearing at the clutch lever pivot bolt and its no better. so I thought about using one of them clutchlite things, it only the cheap Chinese one but its made a difference, its about 30% lighter which i can live with , the only draw back is it looks shite on the bars  

 

[Dorkburger]

Function over form. If it allows you to ride, it’s good. Any OSS looks better on the prowl then in the garage. 

[HUM]

Hi

Many have the problem, and the thing really works? Looks sh.. indeed. Can't you do that at the bottom of the clutch inlet so that it lies on the block under the carburetors. What is that thing made of, metal or plastic?

Well, when we were 20, we didn't have that problem

There is also a semi-solution to our problem, which is to let the clutch cable run past the engine at the front, then screw a counterhold to the clutch cover, turn the input lever by 90° and then adjust it... I've seen that on racing bikes before, or look check it out

In this position, the train is not as kinked and runs easier.

Also what helps is that you only have 50% HD springs in the clutch..
My dream is a hydraulic solution,

I haven't found the right slave cylinder yet, Magura is too expensive an the CN parts .... .

Maybe someone has a solution ?

cheers
Uli

[TonyGee]

yeah i thought about fitting it at the other end of the cable but I wanted to see how it felt first, its made from aluminium so it probably would be ok !!!!  but the short cables it comes with doesn't have the right fitting for the short arm on the clutch cover.

I did see the cable run mod going round the side of the cylinders but just dont like the look of it   

Edited January 7, 2023 by TonyGee

[Dezza]

Presumably it's a box containing gears that reduces the effort required to disengage the clutch. A smashing idea. Do you have a link for the supplier of your unit? To hide this box clearly requires a longer input cable and a shorter output cable so maybe specialists such as Venhill may be able to help. How much does the gizmo cost?

[Dezza]

2 hours ago, HUM said:

Hi

Many have the problem, and the thing really works? Looks sh.. indeed. Can't you do that at the bottom of the clutch inlet so that it lies on the block under the carburetors. What is that thing made of, metal or plastic?

Well, when we were 20, we didn't have that problem

There is also a semi-solution to our problem, which is to let the clutch cable run past the engine at the front, then screw a counterhold to the clutch cover, turn the input lever by 90° and then adjust it... I've seen that on racing bikes before, or look check it out

In this position, the train is not as kinked and runs easier.

Also what helps is that you only have 50% HD springs in the clutch..
My dream is a hydraulic solution,

I haven't found the right slave cylinder yet, Magura is too expensive an the CN parts .... .

Maybe someone has a solution ?

cheers
Uli

The hydraulic conversion supplied by Venhill is a waste of money. I tried it a few years ago and it made Jack Shit difference to the effort required to disengage the clutch on my efe engined Harris .

[TonyGee]

41 minutes ago, Dezza said:

Presumably it's a box containing gears that reduces the effort required to disengage the clutch. A smashing idea. Do you have a link for the supplier of your unit? To hide this box clearly requires a longer input cable and a shorter output cable so maybe specialists such as Venhill may be able to help. How much does the gizmo cost?

its this one Dezza.  their are better quality ones but cost more, i just wanted to try them first to see if it helped.

Easy Pull Clutch Activator for Gurls blouse CRF150F/CRF230F 2003-2016 CRF230L 2008-2016 | Eblag

 

[jameskat]

The one I took apart years ago was just a lever with the output closer to the pivot than the input, I am sure i have seen someone on there make a longer lever and offset the cable clamp/adjuster point.

 Found it.

[Gixer1460]

1 hour ago, TonyGee said:

its this one Dezza.  their are better quality ones but cost more, i just wanted to try them first to see if it helped.

Easy Pull Clutch Activator for Gurls blouse CRF150F/CRF230F 2003-2016 CRF230L 2008-2016 | Eblag

I love how they are aimed at primarily 'dirt bikes' . . . . . . . who probably have the lightest clutch actions i've ever experienced - as stock! Looking at the cable dia used, I'm not going to bet on longevity when tugging on a GSX clutch!

[johnr]

if it works, but you dont like the look, why not fit it to the other end of the cable where it mounts on top of the motor?

 

[TonyGee]

14 minutes ago, johnr said:

if it works, but you dont like the look, why not fit it to the other end of the cable where it mounts on top of the motor?

 

read post 4 John 

[TonyGee]

51 minutes ago, Gixer1460 said:

I'm not going to bet on longevity when tugging on a GSX clutch!

negativity 

[TonyGee]

for the nay Sayers this is an experiment to see if it works, now I know it does help I will revise the unit and put it at the other end of the clutch cable, also get a better short cable made up with the correct fitting for the cover arm. also the lever inside it looks weak so will make a stronger one. 

[johnr]

44 minutes ago, TonyGee said:

read post 4 John 

then get a new cable made. theres plenty of firms that can make you up a cable to your own requirements.

[coombehouse]

I've lightened the lever pull by reducing the distance of the fulcrum point on the lever with a larger hole & offset bush. Works quite well though like with most solutions, you lose travel which can cause clutch drag. I've also successfully done the cable around the front of the motor which works really well but the mounting bracket bis convicted to make to keep it neat 

[Duckndive]

Using a different clutch perch and lever may also help..this is a proper GSX 1100EF one 

[coombehouse]

1 minute ago, Duckndive said:

Using a different clutch perch and lever may also help..this is a proper GSX 1100EF one 

Gsf650 perches look very similar too with the angled cable exit. Easier to find also

[HUM]

Hi
I took a look at the part on eblag
Yes, the cables are a bit puny, but cables with nipples can be made.
If the knurled screws and the inner workings are also on a bicycle level, you can forget it, the mechanics cannot withstand the pressure in the long run, and it comes from CN
I have my doubts.. or is there already experience about the durability?
cheers
Uli

[TonyGee]

1 hour ago, HUM said:

Hi
I took a look at the part on eblag
Yes, the cables are a bit puny, but cables with nipples can be made.
If the knurled screws and the inner workings are also on a bicycle level, you can forget it, the mechanics cannot withstand the pressure in the long run, and it comes from CN
I have my doubts.. or is there already experience about the durability?
cheers
Uli

the idea behind it is good but it does have its drawbacks, the quality is low so i can't see it lasting for long !!!!  yeah the short cable can be replaced and the weak lever inside looks like it could break at any time, but a new lever could be made out of a stronger material.  the other thing ive noticed is it has a slightly shorter pull on the clutch cover lever and im getting clutch drag !!!  I will be removing it for now and think on it.    

[Dezza]

Could you open the box thingy and post a pic of the internals so we can see how it works? Maybe more substantial parts can be made so it will cope better with a GSX clutch and be modified so the hideous box can be hidden under the carbs rather than be up on the bars in full view.

[Dezza]

1 minute ago, TonyGee said:

the idea behind it is good but it does have its drawbacks, the quality is low so i can't see it lasting for long !!!!  yeah the short cable can be replaced and the weak lever inside looks like it could break at any time, but a new lever could be made out of a stronger material.  the other thing ive noticed is it has a slightly shorter pull on the clutch cover lever and im getting clutch drag !!!  I will be removing it for now and think on it.    

Yep, it seems that modifications for a lighter clutch pull then result in less movement in the mechanism and then clutch drag. Maybe this is why Suzuki ended up going with an electronic servo-assisted cable clutch on the last 1100 Kats they made.

[TonyGee]

this is inside

 

[Gixer1460]

1 hour ago, TonyGee said:

the idea behind it is good but it does have its drawbacks, the quality is low so i can't see it lasting for long !!!!  yeah the short cable can be replaced and the weak lever inside looks like it could break at any time, but a new lever could be made out of a stronger material.  the other thing ive noticed is it has a slightly shorter pull on the clutch cover lever and im getting clutch drag !!!  I will be removing it for now and think on it.    

On 1/7/2023 at 8:32 PM, TonyGee said:

Quote

On 1/7/2023 at 7:40 PM, Gixer1460 said:

I'm not going to bet on longevity when tugging on a GSX clutch!

negativity 

On 1/7/2023 at 7:40 PM, Gixer1460 said:

I love how they are aimed at primarily 'dirt bikes' . . . . . . . who probably have the lightest clutch actions i've ever experienced - as stock! Looking at the cable dia used, I'm not going to bet on longevity when tugging on a GSX clutch!

So, I get mis / selectively quoted with regard to the cable used - as being negative! Then you basically agree with the 'quality & longevity' issues by pointing out all the faults, removing it and pondering a 'remade version'. A sorry would be nice, an apology even better 

This issue has been around for as long as this mechanism has existed and many alternatives have been tried - generally unsuccessfully! I wouldn't say its a flawed system as it functions as designed but it could have been better but just using different length levers may give a softer pull but reduced cable travel and so drag is the result! Its a big clutch with few plates that need heavy springs - compare to modern sport bike with small clutches, many plates and finger light springs and lever feel - it is, what it is - unfortunately!

[TonyGee]

1 hour ago, Gixer1460 said:

So, I get mis / selectively quoted with regard to the cable used - as being negative! Then you basically agree with the 'quality & longevity' issues by pointing out all the faults, removing it and pondering a 'remade version'. A sorry would be nice, an apology even better 

If you go back and read my first post where I said I bought a CHEAP Chinese one says its not gona last so the clue was the CHEAP bit !!!!   I bought it as an experiment to see if they work or not, if it didn't its no big money loss. as to the cable and lever i can sort them easy its the clutch drag thats the problem. 

as to an apology isn't gona happen as of the constant picking at me and what I post !!!!  we can't all be perfect   

but I thought the emoji would of made light of my quote   

Edited January 10, 2023 by TonyGee

[coombehouse]

Unfortunately any solution that changes the ratios, whether it's the dodgy Chinese box, a longer lever at the clutch pivot or modifying the bar lever pivot, all result in less travel at the clutch plate lifter. Physics is a pain.