HELP! Clutch Lever won't pull in?

[down75]

I am a new owner of a 1980 KZ650 D, I was riding my bike a couple days ago when I came to use it the following day the clutch lever would not pull in! I am a new rider and I am not sure if in learning gear shifting I did something wrong to affect the clutch lever...i tried rocking it back and forth with no luck.

The engine starts fine but I cant get the clutch lever to pull in?

Any ideas of what could be the cause?

Thanks

[antiq]

Could be the cable needs lubed or the lever itself is binding or it could be the actuator is bound up with dirt and grease. It's also possible the cable housing melted against a header pipe and some of the plastic cover is now inside and fused the cable to the housing. Loosen the cable at the lever and at the mid cable adjustment and disconnect it from the lever. Then check the lever for binding. If none check the cable isn't burnt somewhere. If ok try to get some lube down through it. Then remove the shift lever and rear left side cover. The one the shifter shaft goes through. Inside you'll see the bottom end of your clutch cable connected to a lever. That is your actuator.

[jdzendzel]

definitely check lube of cable ,I have a 74 z1900 andthat was my problem when I first got it

[down75]

Thanks for the reply!
I had to replace the complete cable...when i opened up the left cover it was FULL of grime, grease and even small pebbles that had collected over the years! That was the cause since the grime and pebbles got into the cable and locked it up! I mean it was messy and the cable had collected alot of it inside, I changed the complete cable and im up and running!

[A2rider]

Good for you! Thanks for keeping us updated.

[jbsmd]

Wow, not many will give updates. Good for you.

[solitary]

I agree, I really hate it when I have the exact same problem as someone else a year or two ago only to open the thread and find no answer. You assume that they found an answer, but instead you have to figure it out on your own.
Sometimes I forget, but I always try to reply when I find my own solution.
Glad you did too.
While you're at it, check your speedo cable, it probably will have the same problem but can be cleaned before it gets too bad.
Remove both ends, pull the cable out, blow compressed air through the casing.
If you have a brush long enough to reach at least several inches into the casing, use that to clean both ends.
Then run liberal amounts of lubricant like WD-40 or chain lube through the casing, reassemble, spray with chain lube and reinstall.
As tempting as it is, don't use water unless you know the casing and cable are stainless or non-ferrous.