Arthritis and Clutch Lever

[Whoops]

I'm just going to drop this here and get straight to the point. I've search the forums and read many posts trying to find an answer, but not getting very far very fast.

The thing is I am getting older and dealing with the things that brings and arthritis is one of those. The clutch lever on my CB is pretty stiff and with any regular stop and go traffic pain builds on me pretty quick.

Having occasionally stopped in some dealers here or their to admire pretty shiny things, I have noticed that many bikes with cable clutch are often a much softer pull. This past weekend I took a CB650R for a test ride and it was noticeably easier to contend with than my CB1100, (2014 STD - all stock) just in case that matters. The 650R although it's very nice, it's not the ride that I really enjoy, and the bike I have is. I love my bike a lot.

I have adjusted the settings on the clutch level and it was helpful, but not really enough that I don't still wind up at times wondering if the joy that I have in riding isn't being seriously dampened by this pain, and if it could at some point become a hazard or risk. I do put myself in neutral at lights when I can, but again get me at a 4 way stop with moderate traffic and damn if that don't downright hurt.

so there's the back story. Looking at the 2020 age demographic in the poll from the main page, I would think I am probably not alone in this boat.

Here's the question. Has anyone replaced the stock clutch levers with aftermarket ones to resolve this issue, and if so which one's did you go with? Did it Help? Anything you might be able to share about this, I would really appreciate. If there is anyway for me to provide solution and keep my CB I would like to go that route. Sure there are other pretty, shiny two wheelers out there, but my cb1100 is pretty bad ass and I always get looks out riding it.

Alright ya'll, looking forward to your feedback.

Jody
2104 CB1100 STD in Nashville

I found this which is specifically for people that have trouble with activating the clutch.

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/motorcycleclutchassist

Then there is also a foot clutch...

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/leftsidefootclutches

And numerous electric shifters that either eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of clutch use required...

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/motorcyc...icshifters

I would imagine some aren't compatible with the CB1100 and most will probably be expensive by the time you get them installed, but if they keep you riding!

[pekingduck]

I found this which is specifically for people that have trouble with activating the clutch.

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/motorcycleclutchassist

Then there is also a foot clutch...

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/leftsidefootclutches

And numerous electric shifters that either eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of clutch use required...

https://www.disabled-bikers.com/motorcyc...icshifters

I would imagine some aren't compatible with the CB1100 and most will probably be expensive by the time you get them installed, but if they keep you riding!
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These are some interesting ideas, but they seem largely for cable activated clutches, not hydraulic.

I am curious about this complaint, as to how it affects anyone's riding.
Is the pain from every clutch pull, or only where you have to hold the lever in?
Is it the span you have to reach, from on the grip to extending the the fingers out?
Does it get worse with more repetitions?
Does it affect how smoothly you let the clutch out?
Is it a problem on the right hand, so that braking is affected?

[the Ferret]

PD arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. Makes them swell, and hurt and be stiff. I have it in both hands but primarily in my right hand. It can be triggered by uric acid in the bloodstream which also causes gout (it's called gouty arthritis) which for me is usually triggered in my left big toe ... my shifting toe, and I lose a couple of days of riding every year simply because it is too painful to upshift. But in my hands case, simply gripping the throttle, opening and closing my throttle hand and squeezing the front brake causes pain. I take oral medication every morning for this, plus apply an anti- inflammatory gel to the knuckles and thumb joint of my right hand 4x day. I also run a cramp buster so I dont have to grip the throttle so hard. It helps a lot.

[offroadfx4_imp]

It's probably not worth the additional cost but I only have to use the clutch to stop and take off.
Similar to paddle shifting on a car.
You do have to be accelerating to up shift and decelerating to down shift.
Before I had didn't think I'd like it after all these years mastering the art of shifting while clutching.... but it spoils you quickly.
It's hard to say.... but humans cannot compete the power of a computer cutting the throttle on the up shift and blipping throttle on a downshift.
My son-in-law just got a new Mustang GT manual and it automatically blips the throttle for you on the downshift.

[Stichill_imp]

Did anyone mention clutchless upshifting? Not too hard to master. Clutchless downshifting is a bit trickier.

[the Ferret]

lol I just traded my FJR in on a 2021 Honda NC750X DCT. No more clutch, no more toe shifting. Still have to throttle and brake though.

Of course when I ride my CB 1100 I have to use all the extremities, but it's worth it for that ride.

[pekingduck]

PD arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. Makes them swell, and hurt and be stiff. I have it in both hands but primarily in my right hand. It can be triggered by uric acid in the bloodstream which also causes gout (it's called gouty arthritis) which for me is usually triggered in my left big toe ... my shifting toe, and I lose a couple of days of riding every year simply because it is too painful to upshift. But in my hands case, simply gripping the throttle, opening and closing my throttle hand and squeezing the front brake causes pain. I take oral medication every morning for this, plus apply an anti- inflammatory gel to the knuckles and thumb joint of my right hand 4x day. I also run a cramp buster so I dont have to grip the throttle so hard. It helps a lot.

Ferret, that's quite a debilitating ailment. You must really love that CB1100.
I'm curious about some power assist for the clutch, but the built-in clutch assists are a no-drawback solution.

[Houtman_imp]

There is a product called "Therapeutic Putty " many older people in nursing homes use this to exercise their hands , you can do this watching tv. Keeps their joints in the hands more flexible. Use it or loose it , that is my motto.....

[the Ferret]

PD arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. Makes them swell, and hurt and be stiff. I have it in both hands but primarily in my right hand. It can be triggered by uric acid in the bloodstream which also causes gout (it's called gouty arthritis) which for me is usually triggered in my left big toe ... my shifting toe, and I lose a couple of days of riding every year simply because it is too painful to upshift. But in my hands case, simply gripping the throttle, opening and closing my throttle hand and squeezing the front brake causes pain. I take oral medication every morning for this, plus apply an anti- inflammatory gel to the knuckles and thumb joint of my right hand 4x day. I also run a cramp buster so I dont have to grip the throttle so hard. It helps a lot.

Ferret, that's quite a debilitating ailment. You must really love that CB1100.
I'm curious about some power assist for the clutch, but the built-in clutch assists are a no-drawback solution.

You'd be surprised to learn what people will do/go thru to keep doing their life long passions.

There is a type of arthritis called Rheumatoid arthritis that causes your hands to deform and basically become unusable. It's horribly disfiguring and debilitating. Thankfully due to early prognosis and treatment you don't see much of it anymore.

John Carradine the actor had it (probably way before your time)

Most people have the more common osteo-arthritis. Which is just swelling and stiffening of the joints. Very, very common in the senior age group 60+.

[the Ferret]

Today I got out for my first ride in a month (long story) and I tried the dual cramp buster set up. I kinda liked it, but didn't really need it because unlike the throttle side, you can lay out your fingers flat on the clutch lever anyway without having to grip the bar all the time. Still it's worth trying some more before making the decision whether to leave it on the clutch side or removing it.