1981 Clutch adjustment

[soc7260]

I swapped out my rusty old bars for some of the lower pattern ones from Motorworks.
In the process I noticed the old clutch cable was pretty much on it’s last legs and duly
swapped it out for a new one.

Now here’s the thing. For the life of me I can’t seem to adjust the clutch just right like it was before.
Can any of you guys offer an idiot proof description of how to do this with the clutch screw at the back
and the adjuster at the handlebars? I’ve read the Haynes and am no wiser. The Factory manual I bought is missing a single
page and you guessed it, it’s the clutch adjustment description.
All advice welcome.

thanks,

Simon

[Barry]

Simon

We have a pdf copy of the Owners Manual which includes clutch adjustment in the Technical/FAQ section. You should be able to save a copy.

http://www.bmwr65.org/htdocs/yabbfiles/Attachments/R65OwnersManual_001.pdf

[Lucky_Lou]

Simon use the nut at the back of the gearbox as a coarse adjustment set the thread on the handlebars at mid way then having got a rough position with the nut tweak the one on the handlebars either way to suit.I set mine at about 3/4 out but it depends on hand strength ect.
Lou

[montmil]

Lou shoots straight. Start the clutch cable adjustment drill at the transmission and work your way to the lever. Do download the R65 shop manual. Note the suggested position of the clutch arm when the clutch pushrod adjust is completed. Very helpful.

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

If by chance the procedure gets you confused, here's what I've done for 29 years, it works for me .

Turn the adjuster in all the way at the handlebar to get the cable slack, adjust the bolt at the transmission to where there is about 3-4 mm free play, tighten the jam nut, go back to the handle bar and turn the adjuster to get the 2-3 mm free play at the handle bar lever .

[montmil]

...adjust the bolt at the transmission to where there is about 3-4 mm free play...

To clarify... at the cable end of the clutch arm?

[Bob_Roller]

The adjustment bolt that threads through the clutch arm at the transmission and actually pushes on the clutch push rod .

[soc7260]

Many thanks for all the  the advice. I'll have a bodge at the weekend and report back.

[Semper Gumby]

Hey guys - What ever happened to the 201mm tool used to set the distance between the flange and the clutch arm?

Did I miss something?

1) Set the distance between the flange on the front of the tranny and the clutch arm on the back of the tranny with a 201mm piece of coat hanger wire or what ever by adjusting the clutch lever on the handle bar.

2) then set the clutch lever freeplay to 1 to 2mm (?) by adjusting the nut on the back of the tranny next to the pivot point of the clutch arm.

Just wondering.

[Ed Miller]

That's how I do it, Bill, and that's what the owner's manual says to do.  But a bunch of people here don't seem to like that method, and I guess the other way works for them.

[Barry]

Which ever method of clutch adjustment is used your only trying to achieve 2 things :-

a few mm free play at the handlebar lever

and

the clutch operating arm parallel to the gearbox end plate at half lever travel to maximise mechanical advantage.  BMW just devised the 201 mm method to achieve this without having to measure angles.

I use a piece of welding rod 201mm long because it's the easiest way to do it.