Yamaha YBR Clutch Issue

PsychoPigeon · 13 Oct 2021 at 10:40

I'm a novice really, and the garage installed the current cable. And yes if I tighten the cable I do notice the gear lever moving further, and I've tried tightening the cable as much as I can just to test.

I've also tried to manually push the gearbox lever but as you say it's tough as nails. I think I may have to order a new clutch cable because I have nothing to compare it with, but before I do that I'm going to undo the cable from the handlebar lever since that's where the problem originated and I will check what effect that has on the gearbox.

Likewise with the cable feeling tuned and the clutch in the back wheel spins faster if I use the throttle, I don't know if that's normal either (on the centre stand)

Munchies · 14 Oct 2021 at 18:17

There's no harm in pulling the cable, and checking it is moving freely and operating correctly, it's not exactly easy to stretch the cable, and if, when you adjust it tighter you get more movement at the gearbox end, it suggests the clutch isn't being pulled enough to fully disengage, so it's in a slipping state. With no load a slipping clutch (on the centre stand) will spin the wheel easily.

Once you get the clutch disengaging correctly, you will see the obvious difference in wheel spinning which is normal, and clutch binding which is abnormal. You're looking for only a small amount movement when the engine is cold, and no movement when warm. My initial reply was to try and guage if your wheel movement was normal or not, it's clear now it isn't.
Sometimes people are surprised the wheel moves when the clutch is in, and think there's an issue when there isn't one.

If you remove the cable, and check its routing, and everything looks fine, I would suggest for the sake of £5 or whatever a new cable costs, I can't imagine it's much, replace the cable. If nothing else it's a learning experience, and should fix your issue if your cable has stretched and you simply run out of adjustment before it can fully operate the clutch.

If you don't wish to do that, or you do that and it doesn't work, I'm all out of ideas.

PsychoPigeon · 27 Oct 2021 at 00:04

I got the clutch to stop engaging the engine to the point it does stall and there is bite (endlessly playing with the cable) but it still feels and sounds like the clutch isn't working correctly it needs a deeper look and hopefully just a new cable but if I keep using it as is my gut says I will damage the clutch plates.
Incidentally I took the bike out for a test run once I got it going, there's a small section of dual carriageway through town that has a roundabout, the car in the outside lane cut across the whole exit in a panic because their GPS was telling them to take the next exit and I went straight into their driver door and got dragged along his side until me and the bike got pushed over. I couldn't believe it, all I want to do is get the bike back to normal and it's one thing after another! So I'm booking it in with a garage I'll tell them about the clutch issues too while they assess and fix other damage.

Rich1988 · 27 Oct 2021 at 09:25

PsychoPigeon said:
I got the clutch to stop engaging the engine to the point it does stall and there is bite (endlessly playing with the cable) but it still feels and sounds like the clutch isn't working correctly it needs a deeper look and hopefully just a new cable but if I keep using it as is my gut says I will damage the clutch plates.
Incidentally I took the bike out for a test run once I got it going, there's a small section of dual carriageway through town that has a roundabout, the car in the outside lane cut across the whole exit in a panic because their GPS was telling them to take the next exit and I went straight into their driver door and got dragged along his side until me and the bike got pushed over. I couldn't believe it, all I want to do is get the bike back to normal and it's one thing after another! So I'm booking it in with a garage I'll tell them about the clutch issues too while they assess and fix other damage.

Not having much luck are you! if the insurance company write it off it may be a blessing in disguise!