81 RM250 Clutch is heavy

[Slow Pete]

Hi All,
          I have just rebuilt my 81 RM250 and everything seems to be ok, except the clutch is really heavy.   I have disconnected the cable and that seems ok,  they are the same springs that are within spec and  I have oiled the plates.  I  take the springs off and its all good, nothing sticking and all ok.    There is a little bit of grooving but not a lot, I have seen much worse.

I have never experienced this before, I'm waiting on the wheels to come back so I haven't started her up yet.

Any Ideas ?

Pete

[djr]

Are you using the standard handlebar clutch lever or a non-standard one ?
Sometimes the leverage ratio is different between different makes of levers.
Was the clutch like this previously ?
Is the cable new ? Sometimes an old cable can feel okay when there is no load on it but be stiff when in use
May  be worth double checking everything is assembled correctly
Hope this is helpful