Reasons why I think the clutch on my 01 F4i is on its way out:
1. grabs at the very top - instantly, there's no progression
2. adjusted clutch cable at the lever to no avail (did not adjust by the engine yet, will try soon)
3. there is adequate freeplay so I don't think I'm burning it

Reasons I haven't gotten new clutch yet:
1. clutch does not slip
2. bike only has 7500 mi with about 3000 track miles (beginner to intermediate pace)

Questions:
I know it's hard to diagnose without experiencing first hand but:
1. do you think clutch is really worn out? I don't abuse it - blip when downshifting, no wheelies, burnouts, etc
2. my guess is it's likely just plates, anyone think otherwise?
3. can you inspect clutch without draining the oil? I only did 4 track days this year and would hate to throw away $45 worth of synthetic oil. I recall someone saying it can be done with loosing just a little oil but would love confirmation and directions as to how. Did anyone inspect the clutch while leaning the bike to avoid oil spillage?

Thanks

 

lean the bike on its side, u wont loose any oil, but i am pretty sure the f4is clutch grabs pretty far out with the stock springs, especially if they have a bit of wear on them.


if the clutch isnt slipping, id say its not bad, just try adjusting at the engine

 

Thanks for fast replay. How far we talking? Lean it against a wall or laying it down on the peg (woodcrafts)?

 

well, what i did was terrible but ill tell u lol
i rolled the bike up on a 2x4 in the front and back tires and then laid it over the kickstand, i think it put too much pressure on the stand tho. i would bet against a wall is fine but basicallly as far as u can get it to go and still be stable. i didnt loose any oil at all, maybe a drop from the side of the cover but no more

 

It doesn't have to be leaning very much. I turn bars all the way to the right and lean bike against wall with left clip-on. Sounds like you got it too hot at some point and just warped the steels. A smooth flat surface and set of feeler gauges will tell you. You can continue riding it like that but if they are warped, it will always be grabby.

 

i had the same question, this is my first bike and the friction zone is almost at the very end of the clutch lever, is this normal???
i drove my friends 03 636 and his friction zone begins almost immediately...
help fellas!!!

 

From my first post I do believe I said this was a fairly common f4i thing


U can get a new clutch and adjust it and possibly stiffer springs and it'll begin sooner if u really want it too but it'll eventually wear out again. Not meaning it's done it's just got some time on it

 

I have heard most f4i(including mine and even my f2) grab at the very end for the most part. I think its normal from the sounds of it.

 

Mine grabs at the end too. Then I adjusted it both at the lever (turned the screw all the way in) and at the motor (pulled all the slack out of it), then it engaged alot sooner, I didn't like that, as I was used to the way it was and did an incidental wheelie, so I loosened the slack a lil and its back the way it was, engaging about half way out. (more like 2/3)

 

@vangill
LOL, that's pretty clever - thanks for sharing.

@cbr900racer77
If adjusting clutch cable doesn't help I will definitively be inspecting it this weekend. I really don't like the way it is now having small hands and all.