Clutch Engagement Point

[RCinNC]

Fro reference purposes, I have a 2014 non ES with just shy of 103,000 miles. I'm still on the original clutch and slave cylinder. I change the clutch fluid every two years

This is the position of the clutch lever adjuster. It's the same position it was in when I bought the bike:

It seems like the clutch is engaging at a further point in the lever throw than what it used to. I say "seems" because it's not glaringly apparent to me, since it's probably been a very gradual change over the past 9 years of ownership. The time I notice it most is when I'm pulling out from a dead stop. The clutch lever has to move almost to the end of its travel before the clutch engages, and my impression is that that's more travel than it used to have. There's no slippage of the clutch under load, and no problems with finding neutral. Shifting is still smooth, and there doesn't appear to be any noticeable clutch drag. Right now I'm using Rotella T4 15W-40.

If in fact the clutch engagement point has changed, is this a symptom of worn clutch springs, frictions plates, a slave cylinder, or something else? I figure at 103,000 miles it's inevitable that some of these parts are going to be wearing out.

Any thoughts, from those members more knowledgeable than I?

 

[Cycledude]

About all I can say is my Goldwing with 610,000 miles still has the original clutch and it still works like new, Hopefully the Tenere clutch never gives me any trouble.

 

[Jlq1969]

The clutch is “normal engaged”, the lever disengages it….but the slave cylinder is self-adjusting. As the friction discs wear out or the pressure plate gives way, the entire assembly loses “thickness”, which means that you need more travel to disengage and more travel for the clutch to engage… until that the system fails (or because the travel of the lever is not enough to disengage... or that even when engaged, there is a lack of adjustment and the discs slip).....if you had never changed the clutch fluid, and uncovered the reservoir, you should having found that the fluid was lower (which indicates wear on the discs)... having changed it and filled it to the maximum in each change, you lose the reference of the wear of the discs…..
A failed master cylinder would not allow disengagement...a failed slave cylinder would not allow disengagement of something "normally engaged"...loose springs would make noise...but as long as the clutch does not slip, or you can no longer find neutral, do not touch anything….
The push rod could have been bent, but this would make it harder to shift into gear.
……or it could be summarized like this….as the clutch wears out…the disegagment point gets closer and closer to the grip….and the engagement point moves away from the grip itself….

 

[Sierra1]

I would give Jaxon a holler. He should have a good handle on clutch life. Of course, it will depend on how an individual "clutches". But there will be a range. But I'm thinking that Jlq is right. A hydraulic clutch is self-adjusting until it doesn't work. A cable would give a very definitive yes or no.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . Any thoughts, from those members more knowledgeable than I?

So, I was riding today, and the temp was about 45°. And I noticed the same type of thing you're describing. Today was the first "cold" that we've had and the first time I've felt it. So, I was wondering, did you first notice this after a temp drop?

 

[RCinNC]

So, I was riding today, and the temp was about 45°. And I noticed the same type of thing you're describing. Today was the first "cold" that we've had and the first time I've felt it. So, I was wondering, did you first notice this after a temp drop?

I really can't pinpoint the time when I first noticed it, Sierra. It's one of those issues that was so gradual that there wasn't an "Aha!" moment. It just kind of gradually appeared on my radar to where I started to wonder it the engagement point had always been that far out, or had it changed over time. It's like noticing an age spot on your hand and thinking "huh, is that a new one, or has it been there for a while?".

 

[Sierra1]

If mine did it before today, I didn't notice it. We'll be back in the 60°s in the next couple of days, so I'll see what it does. Thanks.