OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: firko on January 10, 2014, 11:31:59 am

Title: clutch arm extention.
Post by: firko on January 10, 2014, 11:31:59 am
I've seen a few of these for sale in recent months, all to suit a YZ/IT G,J &K 250 and 465/490.  I rode a friends IT465 last weekend and didn't notice any clutch pull issues so am I missing something? I'm slowly getting my IT250J up and running for the odd vinduro later in the year so is this gizmo a 'must have' for my vinduro enjoyment or is it just another wank as I suspect?
                                                                                      (http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/YZCLUTCHACTUATOR_zps32615101.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/YZCLUTCHACTUATOR_zps32615101.jpg.html)

FOR SALE
Ad # 3228593 January 8, 2014
 
Vintage Yamaha YZ Push Lever Assy / Clutch Actuator Arm Extension makes the lever pull easier for reduced arm pump & hand cramping $34.99 Free Shipping in the USA.
This kit includes:

1) Clutch arm extension

2) Stainless mounting screws

2) Nylock nuts

Fits: Yamaha

1981-1983 IT250, 1981-1982 IT465, 1983-1984 IT490

1980-1984 YZ250, 1980-1981 YZ465, 1982-1984 YZ490

     Renee Anderson
Longview, WA
Phone: 360-423-3400 | Email
Registered Since 12/9/2013 | 33 Posts

 
 

Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: LeighW on January 10, 2014, 11:38:20 am
just brought one for my yz 250h haven't used it yet but iv been told its makes the clutch light in feel ie one to two fingers somewhat like  a modern bike
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Ted on January 10, 2014, 02:32:45 pm
Well if you want the clutch pull at least 50% lighter I suggest putting one on. All the guys I put them onto are rapt. Plus it's a one piece of machined aluminium affair ( some wankers call it billet...WTF ) it's uber trick. Get it. ;D
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: firko on January 10, 2014, 03:00:39 pm
Thanks Ted, I should have known you'd have one......I might sacrifice $35 in the name of research.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Ted on January 10, 2014, 04:35:20 pm
I had more than one... Gave them to my mates ;D
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Mike52 on January 10, 2014, 05:20:35 pm
Why don't you make one Firko then you can chuck it with no loss if you find your clutch dragging.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: firko on January 10, 2014, 07:14:19 pm
Quote
Why don't you make one Firko then you can chuck it with no loss if you find your clutch dragging.
Life's too short. I'll buy one.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Frank M on January 10, 2014, 09:59:33 pm
The reasons for a hard working Yamaha clutch are mostly bad aftermarket cables or not necessary heavy-duty clutch springs.

With this clutch lever extensions you will only slightly cure this symptoms by changing the lever ratio (less way to release the clutch).

In my experience the original Yamaha cables work best and are worth it.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: firko on January 10, 2014, 10:10:43 pm
Quote
In my experience the original Yamaha cables work best and are worth it
Touche' Frank, I only use Yamaha cables on my Yamahas, the grey ones on my tin tank bikes and the stock black ones on later bikes. I even use Yamaha grey cables on my hot rod bikes. For 35 bucks its worth trying this clutch actuator doo-dad although I've been taken in by snake oil fixes for imaginary problems in the past. I guess I'm just a sucker for a gizmo. ;D
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Ted on January 10, 2014, 10:43:51 pm
Come over to my house, pull the clutch lever in and see. Then I will remove the actuator and you can try it again.

I use featherlight cables. Better than anything Yamaha have ever made.

Have you blokes fitted this particular part?

Firko, it's not snake oil. It's plain old leverage. Pretty simple stuff.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: firko on January 10, 2014, 11:02:58 pm
I'm not doubting you one second Ted, I was just making comment that many of these kind of fixes end up in the junk drawer. Trust me, I have a great collection of miracle all purpose motocross wonder products from the fabulous seventies so I've seen a few. I've bought the clutch gizmo on your recommendation so I'm not doubting its abilities at all, in the deep dark old days we used to lengthen and bend the clutch arm on our Maicos for a similar effect. Funnily enough, nobody seems to do it to their Maicos any more....I must try it on my squarie 8).
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Ted on January 10, 2014, 11:59:19 pm
I was given a whole heap of billet stuff from a manufacturer in the states. Wheel spacers, adjuster knobs, inlet manifold spacers and clutch actuator extensions. The only thing I used was the extension actuators, the rest of the stuff is just bling.

I'll tell you what. If you are not happy with it I'll buy it off you for whatever price you paid for it.

I don't think I'll have to open my wallet though. You'll love it ;D
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: GMC on January 11, 2014, 12:44:02 am
I remember Gally was using these in the mid 80's
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Slakewell on January 11, 2014, 08:28:25 am
Little known fact that Yamaha,s NOS XT 550/ IT 465 Lever + bracket have a different ratio that helps make the clutch pull lighter , you can still buy new ones. I order the pair Clutch/brake and run them on all my rebuilds. 
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: dalesween on January 11, 2014, 08:51:28 am
I have heard they work really well,you really notice a difference,especially on the big bores.

cheers Dale.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Hoony on January 11, 2014, 08:54:40 am
this was a popular mod done by most back in the day even. i made one up for my YZ250J after seeing a lot on other bikes.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: FourstrokeForever on January 11, 2014, 10:11:13 am
I haven't used this particular clutch arm extender but I did make one up for a WR450F I had when they first came out. I just spot welded on a chain link plate to the original actuator. It made the clutch pull so much lighter without any loss of feel or drag.
There are also the easy pull levers that Ballards used to sell. They work a treat too. I have one on my B50 and it makes a whole world of difference.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: b490 on January 11, 2014, 04:23:02 pm
 I run one of those little alloy  clutch arm extenders plus the Ballards  pivot assist clutch lever assy
     on my IT490 Yamaha  ( & new well lubed gen clutch cable)
   This combination works well  and results in  an  excellent light clutch pull
 ( comparable feel to my KTM300 hydraulic clutch  )
   Plenty of rides with this set up on the 490 over the last 2 years  with no dramas ...works well
  Regards ,
                  Steve   
 
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Ted on January 11, 2014, 04:33:41 pm
Fu...kn lightweight RTA inspectors. Get back on the tools and man up ya softcock ;D
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: b490 on January 11, 2014, 04:57:45 pm
 Howdy Ted ,
                    Happy New Year!  ;D
     You are right
    I must be  getting soft  .
    May be I need to think about exercising a bit.... more . ::)
     Can you recommend  a personal trainer  or  exercise program perhaps  ?
 
    Do you use one or is it just all your hard work that keeps you in such  peak physical  condition   ;)

    Regards ,
                    Steve 
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Ted on January 11, 2014, 09:23:07 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D funny fuka

Happy New Year
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: HL500 on January 12, 2014, 08:21:50 am
Listening to all this banter I wonder how we survived in the 70's and 80's with IT's and YZ's with these tough clutches!!
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: gra1961 on January 12, 2014, 08:40:58 am
just get a ballards light pull lever and perch,had to use two hands to pull the clutch in on my ktm 600 gs now two fingers.it was fairly cheap as well.
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: Iain Cameron on January 12, 2014, 09:27:51 am
Sammy Miller used to sell an adapter that fitted just after the lever perch , it had a small cable then you fitted the gen cable into the lower section of the unit . these where used by a lot of Trials riders it gave the early twin shock trials bikes a one finger action . Iain
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m612/Iain_Cameron/464_zpsf97f5ff2.jpg)
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: firko on January 12, 2014, 09:46:17 am
Quote
Listening to all this banter I wonder how we survived in the 70's and 80's with IT's and YZ's with these tough clutches!!
;D ;D ;D I was thinking the same thing....I came out of the Maico clutch pull era when sure, the clutch pull was like squeezing a tennis ball but after the start we really hardly used the clutch any more. The old Maico bang shift worked for most of us. When I graduated to Yamahas and other Japanese bikes I couldn't believe how soft the clutch pull was. Last weekend I rode my mates poorly maintained IT465 which has the original clutch cable and I didn't notice the clutch pull which translates to me as "it's OK".
Title: Re: clutch arm extention.
Post by: HL500 on January 13, 2014, 08:36:52 pm
Quote
Listening to all this banter I wonder how we survived in the 70's and 80's with IT's and YZ's with these tough clutches!!
;D ;D ;D I was thinking the same thing....I came out of the Maico clutch pull era when sure, the clutch pull was like squeezing a tennis ball but after the start we really hardly used the clutch any more. The old Maico bang shift worked for most of us. When I graduated to Yamahas and other Japanese bikes I couldn't believe how soft the clutch pull was. Last weekend I rode my mates poorly maintained IT465 which has the original clutch cable and I didn't notice the clutch pull which translates to me as "it's OK".

We must be tough old buggers!!