Heavy Clutch!

[JungleJustice]

So, this bike spent most of the last 15 years in a garage, but it was more like a shed and the damp weather took a toll on hardware (some rusty chrome parts and other hardware around the motor and a frozen-solid choke-cable for example)!

I'll still get after all of that.

The clutch cable - more to the point - is HEAVY and appears to be adjusted out to the max, so it is probably a bit stretchy too! Overall the cable appears to be WAY too long though (runs and entire S across the crank-case on the way to the right-side! In addition to buying a new cable for it, I heard that the cable from a GS 1000 S is a better fit and solves that issue? Is this correct?

[tkent02]

The S cable fits well if you have superbike bars or lower.
Routing is everything with cables, got any kinks or sharp curves?

[GS-ESW]

clutch cable for 1980 GS-1100-E with super-bike bars.

Hello again Jungle Justice, We met buying parts at the dealership. When I asked the clerk to call up my previous purchase of a clutch cable, to help you get the same one, the dude couldn't find the record. I dug up my old reciept, from May 2009, and it was #58200-45401 and cost 16.70
I believe this is the shorter version, and as you felt for yourself, it works like grilled-cheese.
Good luck, and always go faster. GS-ESW
1980 GS-1100-E

[JungleJustice]

Thanks - yeah - cool! It's headed my way; I'll call (when they are open again in the morning) and verify that it is the right one!

By the way - installed the new choke cable - operates smooth like (how did you say) grilled-cheese!?

[JungleJustice]

Bloody thing is still heavy like a submarine clutch! Tried various routings (but with the shorter GS1000 cable, there are only so many routings that work...

[tkent02]

Did someone put in over sized or heavy duty clutch springs?

[JungleJustice]

I was contemplating the same thought however, the PO (of 15 years) said - no - not on his guard any way...

[pyro254750]

I was goin to ask the same thing. If someone has installed HD springs or has shimmed the stock ones it will be heavy. In fact, i just recently installed some HD springs and clutch plates in my bike, and changed the clutch cable for good measure (which i lubed HEAVILY) and my first thought when i felt how heavy it is was, something is wrong. as it turns out, after checking, rechecking, and rechecking again, everything was just fine, its just a heavy duty friggin clutch.

One thing i have experienced in the past is the feeling of a heavy clutch on a bike that has sat, which was a result of the bolt holding the lever being overtightened and causing the lever to bind. Im sure you probably checked this while you were changing cables, however, its a thought.