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Clevver problem

5763 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  farmalldanzil, 
K
Just bought a 2005 VStar 650 classic (upgraded from a 1983 Yamaha 400 Maxim!) and after a couple of weeks decided I did not like the clutch, my fingers were nearly fully extended until the clutch grabbed. Researched the solutions and decided to go with the Clevver. Installed it and when I adjust it to my desired "friction zone" the handle is very loose. When I back off to the point where the handle is snugger, the friction zone is nearly back to the original undesirable zone. The guy who sells them has been great and collectively we cannot figure out what the problem is. Personally, I feel like I might have stretched the cable when putting the handle back on. I had to struggle to seat it back in after swapping out the handle.

Any ideas or ways to solve the problem. Thanks.
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vstar23
I bought one for my 2000 vstar 1100 custom and havent been able to make it work

i have contacted the supplier but he says he doesnt know if when i bought mine if he had a model for my bike. i have sent him several emails and go one response but still dont have a remedy to my issue. i want to return for credit

I didnt have such a great experience yet with mine, hopefully they can make one to replace mine or credit it

hope you get yours working, i know what you mean , reall narrow friction zone
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bluesjr
Khutch2 said:
Just bought a 2005 VStar 650 classic
Click to expand...
Don't have a solution for you, but just wanted to commiserate.

I bought an '02 VStar 650 Custom about a month ago, and am relearning how to ride. I reading advice about using the friction zone for low speed maneuvers, but the problem is, the VStar doesn't have one! The clutch is on/off, period. And right at the limit of the lever. Very frustrating. And haven't read enough consistently good things about the Clevver to buy one yet.

Btw, I tried adding just a little freeplay to the lever, but then the clutch doesn't disengage, and I can't get it into gear. Amazing that Yamaha hasn't come up with a fix for this. Honda, et al, got it right on their cruisers (at least I haven't heard of complaints).

Other than that, and a few other weaknesses (e.g. lights!, etc), I love the bike.
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bluesjr said:
Don't have a solution for you, but just wanted to commiserate.

I bought an '02 VStar 650 Custom about a month ago, and am relearning how to ride. I reading advice about using the friction zone for low speed maneuvers, but the problem is, the VStar doesn't have one! The clutch is on/off, period. And right at the limit of the lever. Very frustrating. And haven't read enough consistently good things about the Clevver to buy one yet.

Btw, I tried adding just a little freeplay to the lever, but then the clutch doesn't disengage, and I can't get it into gear. Amazing that Yamaha hasn't come up with a fix for this. Honda, et al, got it right on their cruisers (at least I haven't heard of complaints).

Other than that, and a few other weaknesses (e.g. lights!, etc), I love the bike.
Click to expand...
Try this, it's cheap and it helps a lot. Although it may not help with the disengaging part. :http://tinyurl.com/2fz8y75

Clay
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S
I have an 1100 and agree the friction zone is very small,could it be maybe practice with the left hand and adjust and learn to feather with the small amount that is available? Has worked for me, just a thought, RIDE SAFE :)
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K
Yeah, I am getting used to it and will probably live with it. It's fine except when I am at a uphill stop. Trying to take off and look competent at the same time is not happening right now. Oh well. Thanks for the feedback.
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bluesjr
frijoli said:
Try this, it's cheap and it helps a lot. Although it may not help with the disengaging part. :http://tinyurl.com/2fz8y75

Clay
Click to expand...
Looks like it's worth a try at that price. Is the primary function just to take the floppiness out of the glutch lever, once freeplay is added?

I assume it doesn't expand the friction zone - which is the biggest problem with the VStar clutch, imo.
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bluesjr said:
Looks like it's worth a try at that price. Is the primary function just to take the floppiness out of the glutch lever, once freeplay is added?

I assume it doesn't expand the friction zone - which is the biggest problem with the VStar clutch, imo.
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I installed the Ebay clutch kit a few weeks ago. I searched Lowes and HD, but couldn't find a suitable spring size. Too short, too long, too fat, too skinny, etc. Plus their springs come in a package of several sizes for @$10 when you really only need one. Anyway the kit does work allowing you to adjust the clutch engagement point closer to the grip. The excessive free play is still there, but the spring holds the handle out against the stop. It does not expand the friction zone. I assume the amount of friction zone is a function of the clutch itself. I agree, it's pretty much on/off.
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K
I think I am going to try it. For me, the friction zone is fine, but when it is at the end of my finger tips it makes it difficult for me. I guess I have smaller hands than the Yamaha engineers figured for the average rider.
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farmalldanzil
The lever can be bent to fit smaller hands. They are not hard to bend at all.
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