86 VF500F Clutch has small friction zone

Yes, thanks for reporting back. That is very useful to know. I wonder which one it was that fixed the issue, the master cylinder or the slave?? I will get the master cylinder rebuild kit first and try that I think.

 

Most likely it was the master. The slave is a pretty simple device, a couple seals and a spring. If it's not leaking, it's probably not the problem.

 

I seem to have masked my small friction zone at end of lever travel by fitting adjustable levers (as suggested by others). These were some of the Pazzo copies availalbe on Ebay. They were listed as for a Honda VTR 1000F FIRESTORM, but they fit perfectly. I have smallish hands and using the adjuster to bring the lever closest to the bar has fixed my problem completely. I might get round to rebulding the master cylinder at some point but the clutch travel is good now.

 

I just bought a 86 VF500F and I seem to have the same problem with the friction zone. I almost have to fully let go of the cluch to feel it around 5/6 of the way, and when Im swithching gears it almost feels as if im barely sqeezing it.
This doesn't bother me now because its my first bike and I dont know any better, but should this be a concern or a major problem with the bike?
thanks

 

Nah, ride it and enjoy it. It might just be how these clutches are made.

 

My bike came with the adjustable levers. The clutch was horrible, it wouldn't start to grab until the lever was almost all the way out. Now it's "so" much more rideable. All it took was one turn of the knob.

Thanks!