Adjust your motorcycle clutch, early 70s Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki

In this video I show how to adjust the clutch on an early Yamaha 125/175 Enduro, TS/TC 125/185 Suzuki, F6, F7 125/175 Kawasaki. I show also the rider/owner manuals for all these machines and what they say about the clutch adjusting procedure.

[@nastynate6911]

Dale I just bought a 1973 Yamaha rt3 360 and I’ll probably need all your videos

[@montana2strokeracer]

Nice machine, wish you well with your project.

[@petermckee1061]

Thanks for the video, Dale.
I've taken the liberty of emailing a pic I 've just taken of a page from my Kawasaki F3 manual. It basically confirms what you say about the measurement location. 18mm at the joint would be crazy.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Peter, yes if you do the .5 to .7 at he ball end you end up with about 3 mm at the lever and perch.

[@jamesws3]

Best succinct explanation I've seen to date. Well done!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Jim, I'm hoping to help some folks.

[@chrisgreig5628]

And the 1971 TS 50 j , bring back memories , thanks .
I will tell my story ,
went for my motor cycle licence , on the way to the Cop Shop ,
bang the clutch cable broke . that's ok
it only a 50cc bike , just push it forward and jamb it into 1st .
it will be ok !! then a trip around ( see if you know where this is TAKAPUNA NZ )
Cop asked me to do a hill start !! well it worked for the hill start !!, 50 years ago ,
Still doing fast rides full send !!!
Thanks for your postings

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thats a cool story Chris, I remember those TS 50s, haven't seen one in a long time. Suzuki sure made great bikes then.

[@kjerud95]

Greetings from Norway, Dale.
Thank you for the video. I needed this knowledge to adjust the clutch on my 1991, Yamaha DT50R.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you and Hi there, Glad this video may have helped you. Good luck with your adjustment.

[@davidboyte4340]

Another great video thanks for posting Dale

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks David.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Here! Darn Atlantic Ocean got me again. Top information Dale. Kawasaki had to go and complicate the matter!
Best wishes, Dean.

[@montana2strokeracer]

There you go Dean, that little pond sure causes problems, yes everyone was easy.....then Kawasaki.

[@rickcarrarini5696]

I like to position the slotted adjusting sleeve at the handle perch down and rearward to help keep weather and road crap from washing right onto and into the cable. Helps avoid grit and corrosion. Usually it can be positiond just right to maintain that vital cable freeplay. Good vid. Thanx

[@montana2strokeracer]

Nice tip Rick, thanks for spending your time here in the shop, much appreciated.

[@markgrobe9269]

Great stuff MR Dale,
Do you have any videos on Honda MT’s
I would really like to get your thoughts on the workings of that bike as I have one with a fairly tight clutch lever, with all the adjustments to max free play
Thanks

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hi Mark, no I don't have anything on the Honda MT. I did just acquire a CR250, they are built the same. This will be coming up soon. I have not had time yet to tinker with it but I would think the same procedure should be close for your adjustment.

[@markaddy53]

great little video dale good info keep up the good work

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Mark!!

[@frankdillon6127]

never fear, im here!

[@pauljaveryoutdoors4154]

Hi just wondering would a TF185 Suzuki 1979 be the same as the Suzuki manual you showed??

[@montana2strokeracer]

Paul I am not familiar with the TF185, that's a little bit newer of a bike than I work on. But normally you adjust the clutches the same on most bikes. Down till it touches, back off half turn, adjust your cable at the handlebars and your done.

[@wheelie63]

helpful............thx.

[@iraK2022]

I must change Yamaha 125 1973 cluch plates, in my model are those rubber rings, what is the proper order to put plates and rubber rings ?

[@montana2strokeracer]

On the Yamaha 125 you will end (the last one installed) with a steel plate before installing the clutch cover. The rubber cushions go on the outside of the fiber plates. Otherwise, you put a steel on then a rubber cushion, then the fiber goes in, then another steel.

[@ThePerfectSeason1972]

Nice video

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks

[@DanielAlonso-w3e]

Would it be the same procedure of adjustment for a Suzuki ts250? Thank you

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes, only difference I see is the gap at the lever and perch is 4mm.

[@dazid1]

Dale, I have a 75 DT175B and the adjuster is a 17mm nut with a x point in the middle, all it seems to do is lift the lever and drop it dow, any ideas?

[@montana2strokeracer]

That is exactly what it should do. I have not worked on a DT175, but if it has the steel ball between the clutch actuator and the rod like the earlier CT175s then it may be missing the ball if you cannot get it to adjust. But there again, I am not familiar with that model.

[@robertsrbell7811]

Got one for a 1974 175dta how to ajust clutch its a hard one for me help please thank you.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Robert, you know I have never worked on the 74 models, I have seen several, but the 73 is the newest Yamaha enduro that I have worked on. I know there are many differences but not sure if the clutch is one of them. Wish I could give you a, for sure answer.

[@robertsrbell7811]

Thanks dale keep up the good work.

[@cainbeeping8480]

👍

[@donbridgewater2988]

Hey Dale….👋

[@cainbeeping8480]

Here

[@cainbeeping8480]

What about Honda?? LOL.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Sorry don't have a Honda to play with.