[kek]

My left thumb, reacting the pull on the clutch lever, is suffering so bad that soon i won't be able to ride. This is an untenable situation!

I have heard that replacing the slave cylinder with an aftermarket one, such as Evoluzione, will significantly reduce the clutch effort.

Are there better solutions?

Has anyone tried a few of these aftermarket slave cylinders to determine which one has the softest pull?

Inquiring minds (and wounded thumbs) need to know...

 

[sconly]

perhaps I don't get it but don't use your thumb to actuate the clutch lever and it wont hurt so much!?!?

 

[Brackstone]

perhaps I don't get it but don't use your thumb to actuate the clutch lever and it wont hurt so much!?!?

I think he's talking about the space between the thumb and the index finger. This hurts me after a while too, I have gloves with a gel padding and that fixed it for me.

But I could be wrong about what he is saying

Or if the reach is really far for him he may be putting his thumb on the handlebar and making a right angle with his digits. That would put a lot of stress on the thumb for sure.

 

[st2lemans]

Remove two springs.

Tom

 

[tonered]

Another option. I bought this:

http://www.tpoparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=84&osCsid=f86d468fb25f79f826140451b1e1950f

with their stainless steel springs, the clutch effort was significantly reduced. I have the stock slave.

One caution is that some stock clutch covers are shallower than others. I did need to add some spacers around my cover.

Have a good one.

 

[kellydehn]

I have an STM clutch slave cylinder. My feeling is that it reduced the clutch pull effort by at least 30% - enough to let me ride in traffic for as long as I want to without my hand cramping up. Maybe you should also try getting some adjustable levers. If your hand has to stretch too far as well as pull a heavy clutch, it will double the strain. Shorten and ease the pull and you should see a significant benefit.

 

[moto]

We found the OBERON Clutch Slave Cylinder 29mm to be a very good comprimise for easy lever effort and finding neutral. We had the 30mm STM on our 1098 project bike. When we swapped it over to the Oberon, it was easier to find neutral. The lever effort felt the same.

It is a great deal at $115

 

[kek]

Thank you all for your insights.

To explain a little better; when I grab the clutch lever, the muscles in my thumb react the pull from the 4 fingers. Even though I have plenty of strength in my grip, the concentrated force on the thumb (muscles) over time develops into the same pain one gets when they "jam their thumb" receiving a pass in basketball. It feels like a sprain, only it doesn't get better since I won't quit riding :crazy:

That's why I'm seeking a softer clutch solution.

moto: you are finding success with the Oberon slave, you mentioned difficulty with neutral. Is that due to not enough engagement distance? Have you compared the Oberon unit with the EVO unit?

tonered: could you quantify the reduced effort; 10%, 20%, 30% less?

st2lemans: if I remove springs - or use lower force springs - i'm afraid that there'll be a lot of slipping when I ride aggressively (daily). If you've done this (removed a couple of springs) how has it affected your clutch, or more to the point, does it cause a lot more slipping when riding aggressively?


Once again, thanks for all the great input.

 

[tonered]

tonered: could you quantify the reduced effort; 10%, 20%, 30% less?

I would say it is probably 25% less effort. The take up feels different with the retainer. I can't exactly quantify that feeling, but it feels good.

Have a good one.

 

[st2lemans]

To explain a little better; when I grab the clutch lever, the muscles in my thumb react the pull from the 4 fingers. Even though I have plenty of strength in my grip, the concentrated force on the thumb (muscles) over time develops into the same pain one gets when they "jam their thumb" receiving a pass in basketball. It feels like a sprain, only it doesn't get better since I won't quit riding :crazy:

When that happens, I put my thumb above the lever, i.e with the other fingers, then my palm takes the load.

Works for me.

Tom

 

[st2lemans]

st2lemans: if I remove springs - or use lower force springs - i'm afraid that there'll be a lot of slipping when I ride aggressively (daily). If you've done this (removed a couple of springs) how has it affected your clutch, or more to the point, does it cause a lot more slipping when riding aggressively?

Even with my 999R, there was no slippage with the OEM clutch and 4 springs. With aftermarket clutches or springs, you have to adjust. I have a 4-sping slipper in my 999R now, doesn't slip under load, and has the least pull of all my bikes.

Tom

 

[Largerthan9]

Remove two springs.

Tom

This is Noriuki Haga's clutch
I did the same to my girls clutch. works great!

 

[lawbreaker]

I have a 30mm Evo slave on mine- GREAT and nearly efortless!!!