How to Adjust a Yamaha Clutch

by Chris Gilliland
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The handle of management of movement of a motorcycle image by Aliaksandr Zabudzko from Fotolia.com

A grabby clutch is a sure sign that your Yamaha's clutch cable is out of adjustment, a situation that is typically created as the steel clutch cable stretches after repeated use. Adjusting the clutch to eliminate the grabby feeling is accomplished using one of two separate adjusters on the ends of the clutch cable. Under normal circumstances, the cable can be tightened with the adjuster placed near the clutch lever's perch, while the remaining adjuster on the motorcycle's clutch cover can eliminate excess cable slack.

Step 1

Pull the clutch lever in slightly with your left hand to measure the clutch cable's free play. Take note of how far the lever will move before it begins to pull the clutch cable. Ideally, the clutch lever should only be able to move 1/8 inch before pulling the cable.

Step 2

Loosen the large round lock nut on cable adjuster near the clutch lever by hand.

Step 3

Twist the cable adjuster clockwise with a 10-mm wrench to tighten the cable and reduce the cable's free play. Twist the adjuster counterclockwise with a 10-mm wrench to loosen the cable and increase free play. Adjust the cable's tension until there is only 1/8 inch of free play at the clutch lever.

Step 4

Tighten the large round lock nut against the cable adjuster by hand.

Step 5

Pull the clutch lever in and measure the clutch cable's free play. Stop here if there is 1/8 inch of free play at the clutch lever. Continue to adjust the cable further as needed.

Step 6

Loosen the lock nut from the cable adjuster on the clutch cover, positioned on the right side of the motor, using a 10-mm wrench.

Step 7

Twist the cable adjuster clockwise with a 10-mm wrench to tighten the cable and reduce the cable's free play. Twist the adjuster counterclockwise with a 10-mm wrench to loosen the cable and increase free play. Adjust the cable's tension until there is only 1/8 inch of free play at the clutch lever.

Step 8

Tighten the adjuster's lock nut with a 10-mm wrench.

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