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Author Topic: Sticky Clutch  (Read 763 times)

OldeGoat

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2017, 06:14:13 pm »
Although Gutsibits web site showed one in stock, they don't,  so it'll be about ten days before it arrives.
I tried to move the clutch operating arm manually, but it was too strong.  Not really surprising taking into account the number of plates.

banquo

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #16 on: May 17, 2017, 09:07:56 pm »
I bought a used timing/clutch cover off eBay, and the shaft that the clutch arm operates was pretty much seized in the casing. Had to dismantle it and remove the galling with wet and dry.
Hopefully not an issue for you, but if it's still stiff with a new cable would be worth a look.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2017, 08:53:18 am by banquo »

OldeGoat

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #17 on: May 18, 2017, 05:35:22 pm »
That's a thought, banquo - worth looking at that, cos it's REALLY heavy and to be honest I'm not expecting it to be a two finger clutch even with a new cable.

banquo

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #18 on: May 19, 2017, 08:55:02 am »
Mine is fairly smooth and light, if not two finger.
I'm wondering if your cable failure might be related to overloading from a seized mechanism.
Although the haft is inside the timing cover, there's no incentive for the oil to get up there.

OldeGoat

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #19 on: May 19, 2017, 06:22:16 pm »
Perhaps I should take the cover off to check the actuating arm etc.. be interesting to see what's in there, and if the end result is a ighter, smoother clutch, I'll be a happy Civile Servant

banquo

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #20 on: May 20, 2017, 10:07:21 am »
Be very careful taking it off, not to disturb the valve timing.

From the Paul Friday files:
"Clutch, camshaft, oil pump, primary gears
This too was written by the omniscient Mike Whyte-Venables
Remove the clutch cable, and pull the connector off the oil pressure sensor. Remove the oil
filler/dipstick. Take the points cover off and remove all the bits, leaving just the bare shaft.
This shaft has a 22mm nut that is peened down into a slot in the shaft to lock it against rotation. Use
a very small chisel or narrow screwdriver to prise the dimpled bit up out of the groove.
Take a 22mm EXTENDED socket and a fairly long handle. Give the end a sharp whack or tug to
loosen the nut against the engine compression. The metal disk behind it may also come out if you
use your fingernails carefully.
Pull on the clutch arm to break the seal of the cover. Take a piece of wood, and tap the end of the
points shaft while pulling on the cover. You are persuading the bearing to slide off the shaft and
stay inside the cover. If you do not do this, the points shaft gear will come out of engagement with
the crankshaft gear, and you will have to re-time the engine. This is a good thing to avoid as it
involves much relaxation and at least a Sunday morning to re-time."

OldeGoat

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #21 on: May 20, 2017, 12:36:44 pm »
Invaluable info, banquo, thanks for the enlightenment.  Am fighting on a few fronts at the mo: my AJS tank is undergoing an internal derust, my Honda CB500 is awaiting a stand and exh. System repaint, the Civile is waiting for the clutch cable and my BSA Gold Flash engine is completely dismantled in order to correct excessive crankshaft end float.  Apart from that, there's not a lot going on here!  The good thing is that I've got my MG 750T to ride!!

banquo

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #22 on: May 20, 2017, 12:45:23 pm »
As long as you have one working, that's all that matters. I just spent several days getting my front brake to work, having dismantled it to resolve it sticking on. Getting it set up again was a real challenge, not helped by the fact that I think I inverted the shoes on the rebuild, so they didn't mate properly with the drum. Now working well though, so worth the tears.

cloggy

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #23 on: May 22, 2017, 08:27:41 pm »
Looks like Escher are out of stock but there again it doesn't look too difficult to make [or rather have made].
I find the escher website very difficult to navigate. Stuff turns up all over the place.
 My smugness has been dented as I had to have another go at removing the  faint spit  back. After again altering the float height it seems far better. However my advance retard spring bodge has resulted in a flat spot around 40kph in top and equivalent revs in other gears. The timing only gets to full advance at just above that meaning one has to use lower gears or it quite literally idles it's way up hills. As soon as the revs are up it's fine. So much so that I lost the keys on Shrewsbury bypass doing something close to 80mph. They literally got sucked out. I had a spare ignition key on me but lost the associated toolbox key.  I thinned down an old cheap padlock key on a buffing wheel and  inserted the tip. Rather to my surprise it works rather better than the original wiggly key did, and I have a spare... Still need to find a weaker advance /retard spring......

banquo

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #24 on: May 22, 2017, 09:04:29 pm »
On the plus side, if you got done for speeding, you could use the well worn defence of "Don't be ridiculous Your Honour; A Nuovo Falcone has no chance of reaching 80 mph!"

cloggy

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #25 on: May 22, 2017, 09:26:37 pm »
I think it might do on a slightly downhill section.... Just been bending the old original spring I took out. Going to compare it with the other unadulterated spring tomorrow morning and see.... At least it will get me up and out early tomorrow.

cloggy

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #26 on: May 23, 2017, 10:51:27 am »
Well there you go... 20 minutes of faffing around with needle nose pliers and a small tap hammer and all the spring slack is taken up,  The engine returns to tickover immediately and the flat spot is gone, and no pre-ignition either. I was told... but was worried about breaking the tiny springs. They proved surprisingly malleable. I think the engine would still benefit from a more linear ignition curve but it's as good as it can be with springs. Actually I'd prefer it with a manual advance and retard lever.

OldeGoat

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #27 on: June 01, 2017, 06:33:13 pm »
Sadly, still awaiting delivery of my clutch cable.  The DIY route beckons!

banquo

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #28 on: June 02, 2017, 10:07:41 pm »
I had one shipped next day by Stuart Mayhew at NLM

OldeGoat

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Re: Sticky Clutch
« Reply #29 on: June 03, 2017, 04:06:46 pm »
perhaps I'll give them a try, then. Doesn't hurt to have a spare, eh?
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