"Nobody is born knowing this stuff." Exactly. And even highly experienced people never know when they'll stumble across something they missed or just had wrong for years.
Thanks for making these videos. I am a beginner rider, but I have always admired the motorcycle. Without guys like you doing this for all of us beginners, we would be lost. Thank you again!
Me too! I bought a Chinese 125cc Chinese starter bike and then bought a BMW k1200s that was wrecked for a very good price. Had to pay 2k to fix it back to like it was before it went down but it still had a few issue like the clutch lever linkage bar was welded and broke on me so I had to buy a used one of Ebay so now its just about adjusting the clutch cable and linkage..
I fixed my new clutch cable in 5 minutes thanks to this video. Having tried and failed many times before. I did EXACTLY as described and it worked first try. Very clear instructions. Thanks
My brother just bought his first bike and it came out of the dealer with no slack at all, I found it very uncomfortable and don't want him to get used to that. I had the workshop manual for my own bike which is very similar to his, but seeing this video gave me more confidence to properly adjust his clutch
Thanks for posting these videos. In the past month, I've successfully replaced and balanced my tires, adjusted my chain, throttle free play, and checked the steering and clutch play, which were all good. Simple, but very helpful advice here. Subbed.
I searched your whole youtube channel for this simple video months ago. Finally time you brought it out. I love your channel because you cover the simple things through to the complex.
Ari, Really appreciate you covering the basics like this. Yes, we’re all supposed to know this stuff, but it’s really nice to have a reliable, trustworthy, and clear source like the MC Garage videos. Keep ‘em up, they’re appreciated!
Thanks. This is a timely vid for me. I just finished having to remove my clutch cover to service my water pump and the freeplay got messed up. Yeah it's basic but I always learn something. This time it was the 90 degree thing. Going to check my set up again. I love MC Garage. It has helped me a lot!
I’ve been riding for 10 years and have never done my own maintenance before. I am learning all these things (finally) mainly for financial reasons. I never realised how simple some things were to do while there are other things I know I certainly lack the ability to do myself.
Well said Ari, at the end. What's obvious to some is not obvious to others. It's all about education and getting involved in taking care of the thing that gives you great pleasure. Keep up the good work!
I appreciate your last bit in this video, re: the simple stuff videos. It's easy to overlook the simple maintenance. For many guys, there's that learning the wrong way from someone who might wing it. Shrugging-off torque wrenches comes to mind. I'm restoring my 2002 Roadstar (I love it, love it, love it). I'm looking at delayed and some break-down maintenance issues and I want to do the restore right. All your videos are valuable to me. Keep them comeing.
Thanks. Altho I pretty much knew this stuff, wanted to cover all the bases. And you covered that. Riding for 50 years now and also I have a Bel-Ray 50th anniversary hat. Fun stuff and thank you again
When I started out learning how to ride, I was so intimidated by clutches that would only engage near the very end of being released. Everyone could tell I was a newbie because I'd be revving the engine without moving and then suddenly fly off when the clutch finally did engage. So glad people starting to ride today have resources such as this vid.
Just played with mines it's like instant grab scared me at first wonder if I got it to tight followed Suzuki manual procedure for 09 M50 will see once I put some miles on it and get it hot
Thanks! Great video! Althought I consider myself a Joe of all Trades in life and I spent my younger years tinkering with my Robinson Rebel Bicycle, I am a newer Motorcycle rider and like you said, "no one is born knowing this stuff", it is a very helpful video! Keep them coming!
Good to know, thank you. Did a stupid lazy shift with the clutch halfway disengaged and the cable popped off the clutch arm. Think I must have stretched it a bit because there’s heaps of free play in the lever now. This will help me fix it before work tomorrow. Thank you again!
Thanks for the video! You're right that not everyone knows. I was riding about 7 years before I discovered the importance of that adjustment (I had a hydraulic clutch about 5 of those years)..
Perfect for my situation with too much slack on my 2007 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 recently purchased. Thanks for excellent quality video & great advice & instruction!
You actually raised a good subject, I don't have a lot of time in the saddle using a hydraulic clutch although I have felt how little effort is involved pulling the lever with a bike that had one of these type. personally I felt it lacked feel not the case with my traditional cable type proper lubrication can make the levers easy to use as long as they're free And a little maintenance pays a lot in terms of feedback
A simple but very important video...I've just read on Kawa Z900 worldwide forum that many clutches were badly damaged due to an incorrect factory setting.
2:10 ... I think you're wrong: I think it is not ok to adjust the slack/free play adjustment to suit your hand size or clutch engagement preference. The adjustment is made for the well-being of the clutch mechanism, and if you eliminate play in the cable, the actuator lever will be in constant contact with the pushrod and will cause unnecessary wear. The same as resting your left foot on the clutch pedal of a manual transmission car. My opinion is that if you need to make adjustments to suit your own hand, you should change your clutch lever to suit it, not deviate from the maker's clutch cable free play specs. I don't think this is pedantic, it's understanding that the mechanics of the motor have to be respected. Apart from that, I think the vid is good, clear and well presented as are the others of yours that I've watched, and I'd be interested in any reasoned discussion on the issue I've raised. Thanks.
I've adjusted my clutch to engage ~8-10mm from full squeeze, with slack well within what the manual allows, and I've never experienced any creep. However I find it disconcerting how, after taking my bike in for servicing, I pick it up at the end of the day and find that the mechanic decreased the slack on my clutch. More than just being annoying (and might damage the clutch plates as Ari mentioned on the vid), I think it's also dangerous as the changed clutch setting won't let me ride off at the exact point that I'm used to riding off (at a busy intersection for example). Thankfully, it's easy enough to re-adjust the clutch as shown on the vid. But still, I wish the mechanic would just leave my original clutch settings alone. Kudos for the vids! Thumbed up and Subscribed!
Hello MC Garage, Thank you for your tutorials on the 'basics'. I'm hoping to buy my 2nd bike ('17 FZ10) soon. And although I can identify the difference between a brake caliper & a handlebar:) I want to be able to perform routine adjustments on my bike. Couldn't have gotten the foundation, so easily without ya!
My current two bikes both have hydraulics instead of cables for the clutch and I haven't had to worry about clutch adjustment but then I need to replace the fluid as one would with the brakes.
Gears don't slip, your clutch does. If the cable slack is properly adjusted and the clutch is slipping, then the plates may be worn or glazed and will need to be replaced.
Ari Could u please run over the basic ways to know if a part needs replacing or just repairing ! Coz we newbies get cheated all the time by the company mechanics. Last time I had to replace my swing arm (as told by the mechanic ) due to balancing issues , which still continued until I saw ur vedio and realised it was the misaligned tire ! So plzz plzz help us newbies out 🤗🙂☺️ And ur diy repairs are really a boon !! #love_from_India
Been riding for a couple years.. I have a street triple rs.. clutch was slipping in 5th gear, every time I went to 8k rpm, it would jump to red line but not I screws speed.. I’d shift to 6th, the clutch would engage and the speed would rise until red line.. and even at the top speed it would slip.. revs going all over the place, speed struggle to get to the top (135mph to 150mph) (I know I shouldn’t but it was for science) I was scared the clutch was dead, or I needed heavier springs inside the clutch, or something really sinister.. I checked my clutch lever, and there was literally no free play.. the adjuster at the lever was fully out.. I put it fully in, which gives about 4mm of play.. now the clutch never slips, the rpms remain smooth and steady predictable rise.. 5th gear fully engages and is useable at the top end now.. couldn’t be happier.. Really felt like a noob after this journey this afternoon..
I love your channel. It brings educational content in a wonderfully engaging manner. Keep it up guys. A request, can you guys make a video about you and Zack like how you all started and stuff. Really great to see you guys together. 👌👌👌💓💓
That's a good idea, and one we've considered doing. On Two Wheels ran on BeIn sports for a while and we recorded a bit about our back story. It's actually pretty rad-we've known each other since we were about 8 or 9!
Ari Thanks for replying buddy. Yeah i heard you saying this in one of your videos and you showed a picture as well of both of you racing dirt bikes. I think you guys are like 12 or 13 years old in that pic. Looking forward for that video. BTW you guys ROCK 🤘🤘🤘👌👌👌
Thank you for the instructions and quality of the videos. Could you please let know about the up and down(vertical) slack of the clutch lever is a bad thing? Is it neutral? If not, how do i fix it? Thanks in advance.
Hey there I am new to this channel but loved it a lot. All these videos are highly informative and I have watched most of them. I would like to see a video on how to fit a projector light (devil eye or angel eye) on a naked bike. Please do it Also please tell the advantages and disadvantages of it
"Nobody is born knowing this stuff." Exactly. And even highly experienced people never know when they'll stumble across something they missed or just had wrong for years.
Very true!! No one should be criticized for not having the same knowledge as someone else even if its considered " general knowledge "
The only people born knowing this are the dads playing MC garage to headphones taped to the pregnant mom’s stomach
Thanks for making these videos. I am a beginner rider, but I have always admired the motorcycle. Without guys like you doing this for all of us beginners, we would be lost. Thank you again!
Me too! I bought a Chinese 125cc Chinese starter bike and then bought a BMW k1200s that was wrecked for a very good price. Had to pay 2k to fix it back to like it was before it went down but it still had a few issue like the clutch lever linkage bar was welded and broke on me so I had to buy a used one of Ebay so now its just about adjusting the clutch cable and linkage..
I fixed my new clutch cable in 5 minutes thanks to this video. Having tried and failed many times before. I did EXACTLY as described and it worked first try. Very clear instructions. Thanks
Definitely yes, explaining the basics is a huge boon for new riders. Good job and they will make a great playlist.
Making a playlist of the fundamentals is a great idea. Thanks!
My brother just bought his first bike and it came out of the dealer with no slack at all, I found it very uncomfortable and don't want him to get used to that. I had the workshop manual for my own bike which is very similar to his, but seeing this video gave me more confidence to properly adjust his clutch
Thanks for posting these videos. In the past month, I've successfully replaced and balanced my tires, adjusted my chain, throttle free play, and checked the steering and clutch play, which were all good. Simple, but very helpful advice here. Subbed.
You're right. Not everyone is privy to these simple or "obvious" maintenance topics. Thanks and keep it simple. You guys rock.
I searched your whole youtube channel for this simple video months ago. Finally time you brought it out. I love your channel because you cover the simple things through to the complex.
Even if you know what you're doing, or are experienced with basic maintenance, these videos are a great refresher - keep 'em coming! And thanks!!
Ari,
Really appreciate you covering the basics like this. Yes, we’re all supposed to know this stuff, but it’s really nice to have a reliable, trustworthy, and clear source like the MC Garage videos. Keep ‘em up, they’re appreciated!
Thanks. This is a timely vid for me. I just finished having to remove my clutch cover to service my water pump and the freeplay got messed up. Yeah it's basic but I always learn something. This time it was the 90 degree thing. Going to check my set up again. I love MC Garage. It has helped me a lot!
Thanks...my bike always creeps forward...just needed a simple adjustment. Us non-mechanics appreciate these videos.
I think MC Garage is one of the highest quality channels on UA-cam about motorcycle topic. I enjoy it everytime, keep going!
I also agree with you
I’ve been riding for 10 years and have never done my own maintenance before.
I am learning all these things (finally) mainly for financial reasons. I never realised how simple some things were to do while there are other things I know I certainly lack the ability to do myself.
Well said Ari, at the end. What's obvious to some is not obvious to others. It's all about education and getting involved in taking care of the thing that gives you great pleasure. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, I had troubles with my clutch lever for some time now, never knew such easy adjustments were possible.
Oh. My. Goodnes! So those problems began a couple days ago, and boom. got the solution here. Thank you Motorcyclist Magazine, MC Garage, and Ari.
Thanks man ! JUST NEEDED THAT.
I HAVE ZERO EXPERIENCE ON MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE
I appreciate your last bit in this video, re: the simple stuff videos. It's easy to overlook the simple maintenance. For many guys, there's that learning the wrong way from someone who might wing it. Shrugging-off torque wrenches comes to mind. I'm restoring my 2002 Roadstar (I love it, love it, love it). I'm looking at delayed and some break-down maintenance issues and I want to do the restore right. All your videos are valuable to me. Keep them comeing.
Thanks. Altho I pretty much knew this stuff, wanted to cover all the bases. And you covered that. Riding for 50 years now and also I have a Bel-Ray 50th anniversary hat. Fun stuff and thank you again
Thanks dude. Haven't riden my bike for 8 year so starting from scratch again. My bite point was almost at full lever extention!
Thank you for these lessons. Been riding for years and nice to know what my mechanic has been doing.
If only MC Garage were a thing when I first started riding!
service manuals are pretty dank too, but i agree; you cant beat these quick and simple how-to's.
When I started out learning how to ride, I was so intimidated by clutches that would only engage near the very end of being released. Everyone could tell I was a newbie because I'd be revving the engine without moving and then suddenly fly off when the clutch finally did engage. So glad people starting to ride today have resources such as this vid.
One of my old shops adjusted my free play a bit, and it made my bike feel like a race bike--clutch grab was so much quicker
Just played with mines it's like instant grab scared me at first wonder if I got it to tight followed Suzuki manual procedure for 09 M50 will see once I put some miles on it and get it hot
Keeping the 80-90° angle explained it all for me thanksssss
Having zero friends with motorcycles I completely rely on these kinds of videos and Google to fix even the basic things, much obliged!
Thanks! Great video! Althought I consider myself a Joe of all Trades in life and I spent my younger years tinkering with my Robinson Rebel Bicycle, I am a newer Motorcycle rider and like you said, "no one is born knowing this stuff", it is a very helpful video! Keep them coming!
Yes!!! You did my Video!!! +Motorcyclist Magazine
You are welcome!
Thank you from Canada. Mc garage . I am a new rider. I didn't know about these basics stuff. Very informative. Your the best
these are the best vids. Short and to the point, no massive 3 min blablaba intro. I like it :-)
Thanks for covering the basic stuff.
Good to know, thank you. Did a stupid lazy shift with the clutch halfway disengaged and the cable popped off the clutch arm. Think I must have stretched it a bit because there’s heaps of free play in the lever now. This will help me fix it before work tomorrow. Thank you again!
very much should explain stuff like this. As a new rider I need to learn all these basic maintenance tasks, one by one. Thank you, subscribed!
Thanks for the video! You're right that not everyone knows. I was riding about 7 years before I discovered the importance of that adjustment (I had a hydraulic clutch about 5 of those years)..
I like the basic maintenance tips. We all develop bad habits or neglect these things, good for a reminder.
Thanks!!! Just got a bike again after 6 years of not having one and thought the clutch lever was sloppy now it seems just fine
Perfect for my situation with too much slack on my 2007 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 recently purchased. Thanks for excellent quality video & great advice & instruction!
You actually raised a good subject, I don't have a lot of time in the saddle using a hydraulic clutch although I have felt how little effort is involved pulling the lever with a bike that had one of these type.
personally I felt it lacked feel not the case with my traditional cable type proper lubrication can make the levers easy to use as long as they're free
And a little maintenance pays a lot in terms of feedback
I didn't know about this. Nobody ever told me. So thank you a lot for pointing out this "obvious" maintenance.
You're welcome!
Hi Ari, I am in agreement with you about gaining a feel for things, sure learn the rudimental stuff and when you know how it feels make it you're own
Needed this, never touched a clutch cable before. About to change mine on the 1700 Roadstar
A simple but very important video...I've just read on Kawa Z900 worldwide forum that many clutches were badly damaged due to an incorrect factory setting.
Im 17 and i drive rieju mrt and these videos are really helping :)
Hey if it wasn't for video's like this I wouldn't have had a clue at all. Thankyou! Please keep making video's.
MC garage is the best. Thanks buddy
You're welcome.
Ari Henning please make a vlog on how to remove chain cleaning spray unnecessary grease, dust from swing arm and alloys along with painted parts.
One word: WD-40
Ari Henning oh ty budd and I am look forward to watch more vlogs on maintenance and reviews as well.
The best motorcycles channel ever plus the host is awesome guy..keep it going
Thanks. I had no idea how to do this, and I'm not ashamed to say so.
Finally you have the 2018 mt07! I hope you'll be putting out a review video soon
yeah!
Love my 2015
GETUP AND GO will be picking up my 2018 next week. Restricted to 48hp though
Nice, I'm excited for you!
Biking made easy with MC's!
Thank You!
Thanks for these "back to basics" videos!
Great video, just what i needed to view, and just the right amount of info to reassure my gut feeling of what I needed to do. Well done!
Thank you so much for sharing this vital information!! I loved the way you explained clutch free play.
thanks this helped my clutch would not fully go in so I would creep up and stall out when stopped so this helped me
2:10 ... I think you're wrong: I think it is not ok to adjust the slack/free play adjustment to suit your hand size or clutch engagement preference. The adjustment is made for the well-being of the clutch mechanism, and if you eliminate play in the cable, the actuator lever will be in constant contact with the pushrod and will cause unnecessary wear. The same as resting your left foot on the clutch pedal of a manual transmission car. My opinion is that if you need to make adjustments to suit your own hand, you should change your clutch lever to suit it, not deviate from the maker's clutch cable free play specs. I don't think this is pedantic, it's understanding that the mechanics of the motor have to be respected.
Apart from that, I think the vid is good, clear and well presented as are the others of yours that I've watched, and I'd be interested in any reasoned discussion on the issue I've raised. Thanks.
Best Motorcycle related channel on UA-cam!
Thanks man, you a life saver. Now I can enjoy my ride more after this.
I think I'm getting addicted to " MC GARAGE " ! Good stuff
It would be nice if you guys started tips and tricks on diffrent riding techniques! Like why and how counter steering works.
Thanks, I've always done it by myself, and after seeing this I'm sure to have done it correctly.
I've adjusted my clutch to engage ~8-10mm from full squeeze, with slack well within what the manual allows, and I've never experienced any creep.
However I find it disconcerting how, after taking my bike in for servicing, I pick it up at the end of the day and find that the mechanic decreased the slack on my clutch. More than just being annoying (and might damage the clutch plates as Ari mentioned on the vid), I think it's also dangerous as the changed clutch setting won't let me ride off at the exact point that I'm used to riding off (at a busy intersection for example).
Thankfully, it's easy enough to re-adjust the clutch as shown on the vid. But still, I wish the mechanic would just leave my original clutch settings alone.
Kudos for the vids! Thumbed up and Subscribed!
You can always let the mechanic know you want the setting left alone or become your own motorcycle mechanic
Hey man you need a few more cans of spray and oil on your shelf ?
Love from India, you have educated me a lot
Thank you, Laid my bike down. Replacement handle is slightly different and doesn't fit. Working on it!
Instant like for using Metric System
Hello MC Garage,
Thank you for your tutorials on the 'basics'. I'm hoping to buy my 2nd bike ('17 FZ10) soon. And although I can identify the difference between a brake caliper & a handlebar:) I want to be able to perform routine adjustments on my bike. Couldn't have gotten the foundation, so easily without ya!
My current two bikes both have hydraulics instead of cables for the clutch and I haven't had to worry about clutch adjustment but then I need to replace the fluid as one would with the brakes.
This was not obvious to me, thanks a million bro. New subscriber
New biker here, thanks for lesson!
Ari Henning, the man of the year (along with Zack, of course).
Thanks so much, great explanation
These are very helpful videos.
Yes, this stuff is new to me.
Thanks for this - was just wondering about the impact of clutch adjustment on gears slipping. Cold engine tip is useful too!
Gears don't slip, your clutch does. If the cable slack is properly adjusted and the clutch is slipping, then the plates may be worn or glazed and will need to be replaced.
Ah I see! Thanks for the clarification.
Very informative! Thank you.
Need more simple topics !! Beginner here 😁😁
Will do! What would you like to learn about?
Ari Could u please run over the basic ways to know if a part needs replacing or just repairing ! Coz we newbies get cheated all the time by the company mechanics. Last time I had to replace my swing arm (as told by the mechanic ) due to balancing issues , which still continued until I saw ur vedio and realised it was the misaligned tire ! So plzz plzz help us newbies out 🤗🙂☺️ And ur diy repairs are really a boon !! #love_from_India
Been riding for a couple years.. I have a street triple rs.. clutch was slipping in 5th gear, every time I went to 8k rpm, it would jump to red line but not I screws speed.. I’d shift to 6th, the clutch would engage and the speed would rise until red line.. and even at the top speed it would slip.. revs going all over the place, speed struggle to get to the top (135mph to 150mph) (I know I shouldn’t but it was for science)
I was scared the clutch was dead, or I needed heavier springs inside the clutch, or something really sinister..
I checked my clutch lever, and there was literally no free play.. the adjuster at the lever was fully out.. I put it fully in, which gives about 4mm of play.. now the clutch never slips, the rpms remain smooth and steady predictable rise.. 5th gear fully engages and is useable at the top end now.. couldn’t be happier..
Really felt like a noob after this journey this afternoon..
I was wondering why I was having problems with my bike moving forward very slowly at stops hopefully this dose the trick
I've always just used a nickel in the gap. Works well if you don't have a tape or calipers handy..
I thought you guys already did this topic ? I learned it from you guys !
Oh shoot, did we?!? No, that was the throttle-cable slack vid. Same concept, other side of the handlebar ;)
Ari Henning ah so that's why it felt familiar ! Hahahah
awesome content as usual
i fuckin love these guys at MC garage. Greetings from Ireland
I love your channel. It brings educational content in a wonderfully engaging manner. Keep it up guys. A request, can you guys make a video about you and Zack like how you all started and stuff. Really great to see you guys together. 👌👌👌💓💓
That's a good idea, and one we've considered doing. On Two Wheels ran on BeIn sports for a while and we recorded a bit about our back story. It's actually pretty rad-we've known each other since we were about 8 or 9!
Ari Thanks for replying buddy. Yeah i heard you saying this in one of your videos and you showed a picture as well of both of you racing dirt bikes. I think you guys are like 12 or 13 years old in that pic. Looking forward for that video. BTW you guys ROCK 🤘🤘🤘👌👌👌
Thanks , I was wondering about that!
Thanks your videos are very informative, like them all.
This is really important to know this stuff...
Thanks MCG for the knowledge
I needed this today. Thanks.
Our hero
dang, great vid guys.
Great videos guys. Totally love them.
I need you to do a video on types of carburettors. I'm really interested to see them.
Thank you for the instructions and quality of the videos. Could you please let know about the up and down(vertical) slack of the clutch lever is a bad thing? Is it neutral? If not, how do i fix it? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for another informative video
nice video for newbie like me
Thx Doc!
Great video, good one to share when needed.
Hey there I am new to this channel but loved it a lot. All these videos are highly informative and I have watched most of them.
I would like to see a video on how to fit a projector light (devil eye or angel eye) on a naked bike.
Please do it
Also please tell the advantages and disadvantages of it
another great and very informative video for a noob like me, hahaha, gonna do this thing right now, :p
Thank you. It helped me big time ^^
Thanks, I actually needed this.
Thanks for this. My new bike has too much free play. I was just thinking how I could fix it.