[SOLVED] Can't engage the clutch - lever doesn't work

[ultimax]

Hi,



I've got an old beat-up RX 135 like the one in the photo. It's my run-around bike so I don't really take that good care of it. And I guess I'm paying the price for it now haha.

The clutch lever's stuck. It's been stiff for the past few days and now it can't be pulled in any more. I've tried adjusting the freeplay screw but that didn't help. Besides, it's so far out that if I turn it any more it'll come off.

What could be wrong? I changed the gear oil yesterday and the clutch failed today. I hope that's just purely coincidental! THe bike starts normally though.

Thanks!
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[Joe Mc]

Could the cable be binding? How long since you lubed it?

[ultimax]

well I lubed it a few days ago. But i can't remember when the last time prior to that was.

[niterider]

You may have to remove the clutch cable and inspect for broken wires and worn places on the casing. If it looks okay spray wd-40 into the casing and if you can free it lube it and reinstall it. If it has streched and you are unable to adjust it, it is time for a new one.

[9000white]

take it off and get a sparkplug boot off an old plug wire--slip it over the cable about 1/2 inch and secure it with a small hose clamp.spray wd40 in it and hang it up somewhere and let it drip till the wd 40 runs out.then hold the housing in your hand and pull the cable with a pair of pliers i have freed up 20 year old cables that have set outside like this.

[ultimax]

Hi guys,

I've solved the problem. Turns out the spring assembly at the end of the cable was caked in grease+dirt, resulting in the stiffness I encountered. The problem with the RX 135 is that the spring assembly's hidden behind the front sprocket's guard so I had to remove that in order to see what's up. Other bikes that I've encountered allow you to access/inspect the clutch cable without disassembling anything.

ANyway I got rid of the entire mess with a spray bottle of diesel and the clutch cable works fine now. I suppose I could have used WD40 down the clutch cable hose as the previous poster suggested (BTW, thanks!) but it would have taken ages for the solvent to flow down the hose and dissolve the mess. THe grease/dirt was REALLY caked on. It was amazing. That's probably 20 years of chain lube.

Once again, thanks guys.