Stiff clutch lever --> Cause ? Solution ?

[NomisQC]

Hey guys !

Just got the bike out last week and everything is running great !

I noticed however that my clutch lever seems more stiff than it used to be (I think), to the point that my hand hurt after 20-30 minutes in heavy traffic, using the clutch a lot, due to holding the lever down...

Here are my questions:

1- Could it be related to the low exterior temperature (~0°C = ~32°F) ?
2- Could it be related to the oil (I must admit a clutch line oil change is overdue on the bike) ?
3- Would a stainless clutch line help things ?
4- Could it be that I lost the use over winter and my hand will stop being a wuss after a couple rides :) (I doubt it cause I did not notice it that much previous years) ?
5- Is there an adjustment on the bike that would help that issue ?
6- Any other suggestion ?

Thanks !

[Red01]

1. Yes, it could be temperature related.
2. Yes, it could be fluid related (due to temperature affecting viscosity, mostly, but dirty fluid could also make it thicker).
3. I doubt a steel braided line would help in this instance.  It'll add less resistance to flex from pressure, which increases feel.
4. Your hand could be out of shape from the winter, or the cold can make it feel like it.
5. No.
6. a. The clutch rod could be bent and/or hanging up on the seal. 
    b. Crud buildup under the countershaft cover could also impede the mechanical bits (I'd probably look into this one first).

[NomisQC]

Just wanted to add....it's not only hard to pull on the lever....it's also hard to hold it there....so I can't see why a bent rod or crud deposits would make the clutch lever want to return in its original position so badly ? Shouldn't it be slow/hard to release too if that was the case ?

[Red01]

One would think so.  Still costs you nothing but time to check that, too.  Though in this case, the old fluid may be more suspect.

[H2RICK]

If you have NEVER had it apart, I'd STRONGLY recommend that you remove the lever pivot bolt and lever and clean everything up with clean solvent, being careful to NOT get any solvent on/near the piston/boot in the clutch master cylinder. A rag lightly moistened with clean solvent works best in this area. Once all the grunge is cleaned away and everything is clean and dried properly, coat the pivot bolt, the pivot bolt hole in the lever AND the top and bottom sides of the lever that rub on the master cylinder housing with a suitable NON-HYDROCARBON grease. I use the same synthetic silicone grease that I use on my brake caliper pins. It is amazing how a little grease can reduce the lever effort. The factory applies little, if any, on the assembly line.
A cost saving measure, no doubt.....
You might want to treat your front brake lever to the same maintenance while you're at it......

[pmackie]

Good tip Rick

something we should ALL be doing yearly.

[H2RICK]

How's your winter been, Paul ?? Ours has been too longgggg...for me at least. Looks like next week is when spring finally arrives. Here's hoping......

[Red01]

You probably mean Mackie, but ours hasn't provided much riding weather either... in fact, it snowed on April 2nd down here on the coast!

[H2RICK]

You probably mean Mackie,

Not necessarily.... ....although in this case I did.....but if your name is "Paul" (which it is) feel free to chime in on anything I post.... ....unless it's to give me heck.....in which case, just PM me. My embarrassment quotient is very low right now.
BTW, thanks for the weather report. Spring has FINALLY sprung in Cowtown. We might get the odd bit of snow in the next month or so but we're over the hump. The glacier is receding rapidly from in front of my shed.

[pmackie]

YUP...the snow is leaving here at about the same pace as Cowtown, Rick. We might be a little ahead of you in town, but the roads in the mountains are still pretty sandy/gravelly and snow is still likely.

I HAD hoped to ride my new Triumph home from the coast last week, but instead we came home in the snow over many of the passes.

Spring is surely here this week however, and I may put some insurance on the Bandit and get it out this weekend, we'll see.