heavy clutch pull

[Brooklyn Bob]

My '77 CB750 has a heavy clutch pull. This was a covid project with only 10K on the clock when I bought it. The clutch pull was heavy when I got it and I lubed the cable enough to have dripping out the bottom of the cable. But still it was a heavy pull. I figured maybe with putting some miles on it things might improve, but no. It now has 20K and I just tested the lever force to bring it up to the handlebar. It measured 15 pounds of pull. i check my modern bikes and the retro Triumph is 9 pounds and by 2013 BMW is 10 pounds. The one mechanic I spoke to said it is normal for old clutch springs to get stiff. So, my question: is 15 pounds of pull normal or excessive? And if excessive is it reasonable to think it's because of old springs?
TIA

Brooklyn Bob

 

[brettp]

Check the part of the clutch housing the cable attaches to, make sure that pivots easily.

 

[dirtdigger]

The sohc 750 is one of the lightest clutch pulls. Mine are lighter pulling than my cbr or my dirt bikes. Even my drag bike is on par with my sport bike in terms of clutch pull. The clutch springs dont get stiff just because they are old, they should get weaker with use. There is a specific clutch adjustment at the arm on the side of the clutch housing. The oem clutch perch and long clutch lever have a favorable ratio for an easy pull as well, if using a universal clutch lever you may be hurting youself with a worse lever pull ratio.

 

[Brooklyn Bob]

Check the part of the clutch housing the cable attaches to, make sure that pivots easily.

Will do. Thanks

Bob

 

[Brooklyn Bob]

The sohc 750 is one of the lightest clutch pulls. Mine are lighter pulling than my cbr or my dirt bikes. Even my drag bike is on par with my sport bike in terms of clutch pull. The clutch springs dont get stiff just because they are old, they should get weaker with use. There is a specific clutch adjustment at the arm on the side of the clutch housing. The oem clutch perch and long clutch lever have a favorable ratio for an easy pull as well, if using a universal clutch lever you may be hurting youself with a worse lever pull ratio.

I've got an extra lever OEM somewhere. I'll look for it and give it a try. Thanks.

Bob

 

[brettp]

I also forgot to ask: are you using stock bars with stock cable lengths? A lot of people get shorter bars but use the same cable and the cable no longer has a gradual curve, causing binding (no matter how much cable lube you use).