Clutch lever engagement point...

[q-tip]

Hello all! - I've noticed that my clutch engages only in the last ~1/8" of lever travel. Its pretty much nothing until the lever is almost completely out. It engages smoothly and feels o.k. The clutch does not slip, don't have any missing clutch fluid, and it seems its been that way for as long as I've owned it (8 months, 1500 miles).
I bought the bike from an ederly couple who owned it from new and had dealer service at recommended intervals. Since the bike was the owners first bike in some time, and they weren't exactly "petite"; I'm concerned the clutch may be on its way out. The bike has 25K on it and the dealer did not mention anything during the 24K service. I'm headed out on my maiden voyage in two weeks and I'm worried!!!???
Is this lever travel common? How many miles have you guys been getting out of clutches?
PLEASE give me peace of mind! Between this and stories of rear drive and slave cylinder failures I scared to ride it far!

[mneblett]

Hello all! - I've noticed that my clutch engages only in the last ~1/8" of lever travel. Its pretty much nothing until the lever is almost completely out. It engages smoothly and feels o.k. The clutch does not slip, don't have any missing clutch fluid, and it seems its been that way for as long as I've owned it (8 months, 1500 miles).
I bought the bike from an ederly couple who owned it from new and had dealer service at recommended intervals. Since the bike was the owners first bike in some time, and they weren't exactly "petite"; I'm concerned the clutch may be on its way out. The bike has 25K on it and the dealer did not mention anything during the 24K service. I'm headed out on my maiden voyage in two weeks and I'm worried!!!???
Is this lever travel common? How many miles have you guys been getting out of clutches?
PLEASE give me peace of mind! Between this and stories of rear drive and slave cylinder failures I scared to ride it far!If the clutch consistently and fully engages and disenagages with every stroke, there's nothing to worry about -- engagement point is strictly a function of lever adjustment. Unlike with a clutch cable, as the clutch wears the lever position doesn't change with a hydraulic clutch (only the fluid level in the reservoir changes -- it goes up!), so you don't have to worry about the lever "going away" during your trip.

Two adjustments available: the wheel built into the lever (easily and instantly adjustable to move the lever closer or away from the grip), and the set screw in the part of the lever which actually contacts the clutch master cylinder piston. I would not adjust this screw right before a trip -- not because you would do anything to the clutch, but because it's held by *red* locktite (not the light duty blue stuff), and you're virtually garruntteed to screw up the slotted head of the screw. Adjustment with this screw is better done with the lever removed from the bike and a bit of judicious heating to help soften the locltite.

[jorawro]

Don't worry about going on a long trip - these things were made to do miles on. I am confident that you will be reporting back here some time in the future that you have 100,000 miles on the bike and you are "thinking about" changing the clutch:bmw: . Ride and enjoy !