Started to notice slightly less smooth gear changes and discovered too much free play on the clutch cable. Since I'm not too confident with getting the primary cover off and adjusting there (yet) I just had a go at adjusting the nut half way down the front of the engine behind the gaiter. This is with the engine cold.

Not sure why, but adjusting this nut doesn't seem to have made much difference and I also noticed that as I wound the nut (exposing less thread) the nut started to spring back round when I release the spanner, as though I'm actually twisting the cable.

Questions :

1) Why am I not noticing a change in free play as I adjust this?
2) Am I actually twisting the cable as I wind this nut?
3) Will I notice more of an impact to the tweaking once things warm up?

You can probably tell I'm not the mechanic type, so patience please. Just trying to avoid a trip to the dealer for what should be a simple adjustment. Thanks.

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'08 X / '16 SX

I think you could probably have got to this one yourself if you'd sat and had a coffee whilst reading that post, but...

Because that's not the cable adjuster.

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

Search the archive of 'Clutch Adjustment' post dated 17th April 2009. Adjustment needs doing carefully.

Picture tells a thousand words and I just found an old XB manual on the site whch shows that I was adjusting the wrong end. Please don't laugh - I'm new to this machine.

Just put my dunce hat on and will go stand in the corner.

Thanks for the replies.

Edited to say I've now done the adjustment (correctly) and the clutch is smoother again. OK, I know I only turned a nut, but hey, at least I got the right one in the end.

Now I can enjoy the weekend on 2 wheels.

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'08 X / '16 SX

If your bike is fairly new you need to adjust the primary chain and adjust the clutch (which you haven't done ). You'll need to remove the cover on the primary to do this. Give the screws a sharp tap with a copper/brass drift etc (if needed-probably won't be) to jar the threads and use a QUALITY key to undo the fasteners. You only need to nip them up when you refit.

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

If you ain't done it yet get some small cable tie's and put one top and bottom of the rubber boot on the cable adjuster.
That keeps water from entering the primary cover via the cable and prolongs cable life.

Nate.

Thanks for the replies - zip ties are on my todo list now.

I'm going to attempt my first oil change soon (as soon as I've figured out how to hold the bike upright) so will do the adjustments behind the primary cover then. For now the cable adjuster has removed the clunky shifting and enabled me to enjoy a couple of hundred miles over the weekend.

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'08 X / '16 SX

I could be wrong here....and I'm sure someone (or everyone!) will say if I am but....

I'm sure the bike is designed to drain the oil while on the side stand. I think I read that....I'm sure I...I'm su... mmmm, best ask someonwe who knows for certain!!

Thats for the engine oil.
The gearbox needs to be checked/drained/filled in the upright position

Just check'in but be aware that you dont need to remove the whole primery cover, just the small rear most one on the P cover.

Nate.