Clutch Lever Travel

So, as you may have read, I have just acquired a 2002 VFR. I must confess, I am more excited about this bike than the last 5 that I have owned!

Anyway, I noticed that the clutch disengages at the very end of the clutch lever travel (I release a lot of clutch lever before the engine starts the bike moving).

Is this normal for a VFR? Is there a 'best way' to adjust it so it releases a little sooner off of the handlebar?

Thanks!

TheBlackSamurai (yeah - it sounds cool - but my name is actually Thomas)  :-)

Welcome to the madness.   :tour:

Your description sounds normal to me.  Easiest and most common way to affect clutch travel is to put adjustable lever(s) on.  Pazzo is one of the most common brands, as well as Titax and countless eBay specials.  Good luck.

In case I'm missing something, but I'm under the illusion that the stock levers are adjustable, although they're not going to get to close to the grip. Have you been using cable clutches as opposed to hydraulic ? The cables can be adjusted to where you want them(but leaves slop)

What you are describing is normal for the VFR.  Clutch takeup is near the end of the clutch lever release stroke.  I think this is common with hydraulic clutches as compared to cable actuated.  My CBR has a cable clutch and engages much earlier in the release stroke.

No worries.

[image: View Post]Monk, on 17 April 2012 - 08:48 PM, said:

In case I'm missing something, but I'm under the illusion that the stock levers are adjustable, although they're not going to get to close to the grip.

Yeah Monk, you are right, the OEM lever is "adjustable" to some degree, but I always felt like that little wheel on there was kinda like a "Fisher-Price knob"- It turns a lot, but nothing happens.   :wink:

Yeah same on my wife's '02 VFR... just something to get used to I guess.

This is one aspect that I hate about the VFR.  My car has a hydraulic clutch and it engages immediately; I'm not used to having the clutch engage at the end of the travel.

I picked up (as most have done) a pair of adjustable ebay levers and now the travel is exactly where I want it!

I think people with small hands have issue, I luv the stock VFR adjustable levers, I run near maximum radious.

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 18 April 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Monk, on 17 April 2012 - 08:48 PM, said:

In case I'm missing something, but I'm under the illusion that the stock levers are adjustable, although they're not going to get to close to the grip.

Yeah Monk, you are right, the OEM lever is "adjustable" to some degree, but I always felt like that little wheel on there was kinda like a "Fisher-Price knob"- It turns a lot, but nothing happens.   :wink:
Not having had aftermarket levers, I wasn't aware that there's a difference. Also having long fingers have not had the need to try something else. So I can "now" see what you mean.

Thanks everyone. I think I will pick up some adjustable levers in the future!

[image: VFR800 - Levers Left 1.jpg]
VFR800 - Levers Left 1.jpg

Grind some length off the clutch pushrod or drill out the depth of the pivot in the lever. I did both of these and was reasonably happy with the new closer position and was able to get the clutch to release where I wanted it. In the end, I bought some ebay Fakeazzo's during a weak mental moment and they have been fine.

Grind some length off the clutch pushrod or drill out the depth of the pivot in the lever. I did both of these and was reasonably happy with the new closer position and was able to get the clutch to release where I wanted it. In the end, I bought some ebay Fakeazzo's during a weak mental moment and they have been fine.

Sounds like a great mod.

I now have three 5th gens. They all have different amounts of travel until engagement. My original '01 (100,000 mi.) has engagement very near the grip about, 15% of total travel. The '00 (39,xxx mi) engages about 70% of the way to the end of travel. My '01 with 19,xxx mi. engages at about 90% of outward travel.

I asked my Honda shop about this and the service manager thought it might a sign of cluch wear. I'm not sure that makes sense since the highest mileage machine has the least amount of travel, while the "youngest", 19,xxx has the most. The 100,000 machine has never had any cluch work done. Still all original, non-adjusted, if an adjustment is even possible. Service mgr. says hydraulic cluches cannot be adjusted for lever travel.

Grind some length off the clutch pushrod or drill out the depth of the pivot in the lever. I did both of these and was reasonably happy with the new closer position and was able to get the clutch to release where I wanted it. In the end, I bought some ebay Fakeazzo's during a weak mental moment and they have been fine.

I actually blame my first marriage to my ex-wife on that exact statement! :laugh:

I now have three 5th gens. They all have different amounts of travel until engagement. My original '01 (100,000 mi.) has engagement very near the grip about, 15% of total travel. The '00 (39,xxx mi) engages about 70% of the way to the end of travel. My '01 with 19,xxx mi. engages at about 90% of outward travel.

I asked my Honda shop about this and the service manager thought it might a sign of cluch wear. I'm not sure that makes sense since the highest mileage machine has the least amount of travel, while the "youngest", 19,xxx has the most. The 100,000 machine has never had any cluch work done. Still all original, non-adjusted, if an adjustment is even possible. Service mgr. says hydraulic cluches cannot be adjusted for lever travel.

100,000 without clutch work. Seriously, I am uber-excited about owning this bike!

Yeah! It would seem these babys are built like a brick outhouse. The only daylight the internals of my oldest have seen has been through the sparkplug holes. I believe I'm on my second or third set. I'm on my second r/r and stator though. Small suprise. And my second sidestand. Wore that sucker right out.