clutch adjustment question....

mga · February 23

on my 2k big bear 400, there's a clutch adjustment on the side that says "increase" or "decrease". Only thing service manual says to turn it one way or the other.

my question is, what happens when i decrease it? what happens if i increase it? does it effect shifting?

I'm not sure if it's ever been adjusted, but, it was tempting to play with...ut, i didn't touch it until i asked you guys.

**Gwbarm** · February 23

As the clutch wears it needs adjustment, turn counterclockwise until you feel resistance, then turn clockwise until you feel resistance, you might do this a couple of times to get the feel of it, then stop when you feel resistance toward increase, it should be adjusted.

Tiha · February 23

Kawasaki adjusts the same way.

Be interesting to see how it goes for you. First time I did it after I bought the machine (used) it shifted really stiff. As much as I have tried over the years it has never been as easy shifting as it was before I first adjusted it.

And I have adjusted it frequently over the last 20 years I have owned it.

mga · February 24

ok....so, if i INCREASE the clutch adjustment, it loosens the clutch? and if i DECREASE it it tighternsd thre clutch?

or, did i get that wrong? lol

**Gwbarm** · February 24

Increase tightens the clutch, when you feel resistance toward increase, back off counter clockwise about 1/8 to 1/4 inch

mga · February 24

1 hour ago, Gwbarm said:

Increase tightens the clutch, when you feel resistance toward increase, back off counter clockwise about 1/8 to 1/4 inch

ok, thanks. my post above was typed without my glasses on...obviously.

i wanted to adjust it because when i put it infirst gear, it wants to lunge forward. i thought maybe the clutch was too tight (?)

**Gwbarm** · February 24

Idle speed could also cause this is it normal or a little high.

mga · February 24

9 hours ago, Gwbarm said:

Idle speed could also cause this is it normal or a little high.

i'll lower it and see how it reacts

mga · March 9

On 2/23/2023 at 8:57 AM, Tiha said:

Kawasaki adjusts the same way.

Be interesting to see how it goes for you. First time I did it after I bought the machine (used) it shifted really stiff. As much as I have tried over the years it has never been as easy shifting as it was before I first adjusted it.

And I have adjusted it frequently over the last 20 years I have owned it.

i got it to shift a little easier, but the only hard gears are getting out of reverse and into first. the rest shift pretty good. I'm going to play around with the clutch some more and see if it improves. Maybe that idle is just a bit too high, i'll play with that too. To get it out of reverse, i reach down and pull it up by hand. Too bad I couldn't figure out a way to put a hand shift on it right up along the fuel tank. 😄

ha....i just saw them online... not expensive either....i'm going to look into it more

Edited March 9 by mga

**Mech** · March 9

I'd do as Gw suggested and adjust the idle speed down. That's almost certainly the problem..

**Gwbarm** · March 9

There is also a linkage adjustment by gearshift you might check for the right amount play, not too much, and not little, the manual tells the correct specs.

mga · March 10

i lowered the idle and it did improve a lot, but, there's a little slop on the linkage. I'll look at the manual today and see what's accptable. I learned to let the engine warm up a bit before i can get that sweet spot of idle.