C50 Clutch

T

The Human Brain

New member
Has anybody had problems with their clutch.... I have not, but just read about someone elses problem with the dealer not checking/adjusting.

Does the dealerships miss this often?

What does a new clutch cost?

How long should they last?

bob
 
a clutch will cost you about $350 if the dealer does it, about $100 if you do it youself. Clutch life depends on your riding style, skills, and dexterity with the clutch. I have seen motorcycle clutches last over 50,000 miles, and I have seen riders burn them out in less than 4000 miles.
 
While factory defect isn't off the table, kinda sounds like operator error. My C50 is 4 years old and never had a single problem with the clutch.
 
the c50 has a cable clutch- if the cable is adjusted too tight the clutch will not fully engage and slip a little, causing accerated wear. if it is too loose the clutch will not fully disengage, causing accelerated wear. but it has to be pretty far out to cause either problem.
 
My experience and discussions with others about clutches yields a wide range of answers about clutch life. Driving and driver conditions will have the greatest impact as will oil quality, type and condition. As example: recently I went through major league construction zone on I-81 in Pennsylvania with 1 hour and 30 minutes of clutching from a stop, traveling 100' then stopping, all with a rider on the back. I'm sure that zone took thousands of miles off the clutch but I-81 in New York proved non-stop even through construction zones (taking a shot at PA DOT mismanagement here), so I put another 100 -200 miles back in the bank with it as I didn't have to use the clutch for well over 100 miles.
 
There are two things to keep in mind on clutches. Ones is the Oil you use. The C50 is a wet clutch, sharing the oil with the engine. If you don't get the right oil, the clutch will slip. Check your manual and get the right formulation. The second is keeping the clutch lever loose. Check your manual, but I think it is 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of slop when the clutch lever is in its normal position. That way, the cable is not keeping the clutches slightly sloppy instead of tight together. I have not done the best job on keeping mine adjusted early on (didn't know), and have over 38,000 miles on it and the clutch is starting to go. Also, before the oil warms up, it is thicker, and will slip a little. Don't push it until the oil warms up and is thinner, allowing the clutch plates to get closer together.
 
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