EFE Heavy Clutch Lever.

[inazumarob]

Hello everyone, I have a 1984 EFE that I am getting back on the road . It is noticeable that the lever pull at the handlebar is very heavy, I need to have forearms like the Hulk to pull lever to the bars. I have previously stripped the clutch due to plates being stuck together and replaced the clutch centre with a brand new unit due to wear on splines. The clutch works. I will be changing the standard cable for a new one and I have bought a new lever for the naked version as I am using straight bars. I expect that the clutch springs are the heavy duty versions. I remember reading some while ago that you could fit lighter rated springs to the clutch, would any one have any idea what ones I need. I realise that they may not solve the problem but not expensive to try. I do not drag race the bike or ride excessively hard, so do not expect to stress clutch. Many thanks everyone. Regards Rob. 

[TonyGee]

da jar vue !!!!   I had the same issue with mine, I m afraid thats how they are.  i have R.A. so it was painful for me. but i used standard suzuki springs. a new cable well lubed and I even fitted a tiny bearing to the lever pivot. all helped but still not light. 

[Dezza]

What Tony says. Oil the new cable before fitting and change the springs for OEM. It's heavy duty springs that are the main culprit here. Also, make sure you have the lever at the optimal angle for you personally.

[inazumarob]

Thanks for the replies Guys, I will let you know how I get on.

 

[eddiegsx]

You get used to it, as Tony said it's just the way they are.

When I had my first one back in the early nineties I thought to myself what the hell have I bought but you don't really notice once you have gloves on.

[TonyGee]

you could start bashing the bishop with your left hand for extra strength   

[eddiegsx]

I happen to be left handed Tony so I'll have to take up this pastime that you refer to, can you  please explain the rules?

[TonyGee]

33 minutes ago, eddiegsx said:

I happen to be left handed Tony so I'll have to take up this pastime that you refer to, can you  please explain the rules?

yeah im a lefty as well,  just grip nice and tight and shake it.  doesn't work by the way but its fun trying   

[Swiss Toni]

15 hours ago, TonyGee said:

you could start bashing the bishop with your left hand for extra strength   

I was told if I didn’t stop that particular habit, I’d go blind. I said I’d just keep doing it ‘till I needed glasses! 

[Bubba1135]

21 hours ago, TonyGee said:

yeah im a lefty as well,  just grip nice and tight and shake it.  doesn't work by the way but its fun trying   

Lefty here with an EFE as well, must be those heavy clutches in common 

 

Or fit an APE clutch cable & bracket that changes the cable run, that helps. SPS sell them, thats what I did.

Edited June 17, 2023 by Bubba1135
Added text

[inazumarob]

So I have changed the clutch cable for a new one, I have oiled the cable, made sure it was correctly routed and oiled the lever. Got to say it was a major improvement, I can pull clutch in with 2 fingers now and feel like it is as good as it is going to get. Not modern hydraulic light but normal pressure needed now. Happy to live with it, I needed to squeeze very hard before, like one of those grip springs. Thanks every one for the info, still need both hands for what Tony recommended, so don't think it would really improve things.

 

[TonyGee]

1 hour ago, Bubba1135 said:

fit an APE clutch cable & bracket that changes the cable run, that helps. SPS sell them, thats what I did

I looked at them but wasn't gona pay the price for one and find out it didn't work !!!  so i made one (rough as fuck) but it did the same job. routed the cable round the side of the cylinder up to the lever and it felt just the same to me ????   just one of those things i suppose  

[et1170]

Someone could have also fitted heavy springs. If so standard springs would improve it further and are fine for the road.  

[Duckndive]

On 6/17/2023 at 8:05 PM, TonyGee said:

I looked at them but wasn't gona pay the price for one and find out it didn't work !!!  so i made one (rough as fuck) but it did the same job. routed the cable round the side of the cylinder up to the lever and it felt just the same to me ????   just one of those things i suppose  

The bracket was / is actually for drag bike use making between round servicing the clutch easier buy removing the bracket and inspection cover easy 

i used the complete set up on my road turbo efe "i only ran 3 springs on the lock up was light as a feather"  but on a stock clutch it don't do SFA IMO