Clutch lever stick and release

[faffi]

My clutch lever sometimes have a peculiar action. After engaging the clutch after a gearchange, I have a habit of not letting the clutch lever all the way out for a split second, despite the clutch being fully engaged already. Sometimes, maybe one out of 10 or 20 releases, the lever seems to stick in the not-fully-out position for brief period, like there is no tension on the cable, before snatching back to its resting position. I only notice it because the lever does not instantly follow my fingers.

Any ideas what it could be? I have never been able to replicate it at a standstill, everything operate smoothly and effortlessly.

[pehayes]

Follow the cable.  Is there any location where the cable is near to an exhaust header?  Flex the cable.  Is it possible that airflow at speed can move the cable and  have it contact the exhaust header?  The inside of the cable sheath has a plastic liner.  If the cable gets too hot, that liner can melt and grasp the inside actuation wire.  Usually it happens after you stop and the system cools off for the plastic to harden.  I have had clutch cables melt and go rock hard with zero movement.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[bigbikerrick]

Thats a good "heads up" Patrick! I had never thought of that possibility. I am going out and check my clutch cable routing. I think they are pretty close to the sources of heat, on the right side of the frame.
Thanks for that tip.
Rick

[faffi]

Thank you for the tip, will check.

[John A]

I would put a new cable on and put the old one Ty wrapped in a side panel. Some folks put a new one along side the old one but I never did that. It’s a useful habit to have a spare stashed on the bike somewhere though.

[Tkelly]

I had a failing throttle cable do that,some of the strands had broken and the return spring wasn’t strong enough for it to back out when I wanted to slow down.

[faffi]

Bike has only done 6k miles, but that does not eliminate a damage cable in some way. I will check it properly this weekend.