I had a 1975 XS 650 with the same problem. did all the suggested remedies to no avail. Replacing the clutch cable solved my problem. The cable was rusted internally, enough so that oil didn't help
Just got a 650 last weekend and it's really hard to squeeze the clutch. I thought of putting a pipe on the clutch lever. Never seen a clutch like this before!
Hi. sounds like you will need to go right through the clutch components from the lever to the clutch basket and plates to find which component/s are causing the dragging issue. If the bike hasn't been used for a long time it may just need some use for the clutch to free up a little . An oil change doesn't hurt with a new bike either unless you know the history. Check that the clutch cable hasn't any tight bends or curves along its length which will increase friction. Oil the inner cable too. You will probably need to remove the clutch cover and check the clutch worm assembly has not been over-greased or tightened too tightly into the cover with the fixing screws. Thats a common source of stiff clutch operation
Final adjustment of the clutch screw and lock nut I do after riding the bike to heat and expand the motor/trans unit then while the motor is still hot and idling I adjust the screw now able to feel all the internal assembly build against the pressure plate, then go ahead and snug nut. This for me is so much better than the cold and dead stop feel.
Yamaha recommend that the clutch adjustment is done with the engine cold . Whether adjusted cold or hot the clutch will probably need a second adjustment on a freshly rebuilt engine. You use whatever you find to be the most effective method. I have a perfect working clutch that can be operated easily with just 2x fingers but that takes a lot of attention to detail when building the clutch and lots of experience over 50+ years
I had a 1975 XS 650 with the same problem. did all the suggested remedies to no avail. Replacing the clutch cable solved my problem. The cable was rusted internally, enough so that oil didn't help
Just got a 650 last weekend and it's really hard to squeeze the clutch. I thought of putting a pipe on the clutch lever. Never seen a clutch like this before!
Hi. sounds like you will need to go right through the clutch components from the lever to the clutch basket and plates to find which component/s are causing the dragging issue.
If the bike hasn't been used for a long time it may just need some use for the clutch to free up a little . An oil change doesn't hurt with a new bike either unless you know the history.
Check that the clutch cable hasn't any tight bends or curves along its length which will increase friction. Oil the inner cable too.
You will probably need to remove the clutch cover and check the clutch worm assembly has not been over-greased or tightened too tightly into the cover with the fixing screws. Thats a common source of stiff clutch operation
Final adjustment of the clutch screw and lock nut I do after riding the bike to heat and expand the motor/trans unit then while the motor is still hot and idling I adjust the screw now able to feel all the internal assembly build against the pressure plate, then go ahead and snug nut. This for me is so much better than the cold and dead stop feel.
Yamaha recommend that the clutch adjustment is done with the engine cold . Whether adjusted cold or hot the clutch will probably need a second adjustment on a freshly rebuilt engine.
You use whatever you find to be the most effective method. I have a perfect working clutch that can be operated easily with just 2x fingers but that takes a lot of attention to detail when building the clutch and lots of experience over 50+ years