Topic: cb550 frozen clutch

[xruss]

When I picked up my project bike, she hadn't been run in several years.  The clutch shifted from N to 1 and back, but that was it.  I rebuilt the carbs, put in new plugs, points and condensers, changed the oil and filter to see if I could get her fired up again before I turned my attention elsewhere.  She fired up and ran strong on all four.  Still needs to have everything dialed in, but she runs.  I'm guessing getting the oil changed and warming her up for the first time in years helped free up the clutch a bit as I picked up 2nd after running her a bit.  When I say running, I mean idling.  Brakes, tires and bearings were needed as well.

My question relates to what I might need to do to get the clutch in order.  The bike has a bit over 16k on the odometer.  Is it possible that I just need to run it a bit and let things free up with the new oil, or do I need to replace the friction plates, springs, anything else?  I've never torn into a clutch, so i really don't have a frame of reference. 

Thanks in advance.

[Rgconner]

Friction plates and springs for sure.

Steel plates? Well, that is trickier. You can as a preventative, but they are expensive.

You want to take each one and put it on a plate of glass, see if you have any gaps around the edges. if you do, the plate is warped and needs to be replaced.

Remember to scuff them with 400 grit or so sandpaper. They come with a protective anti-rust glaze (for storage) on them and it should be scuffed off.

They are relatively easy to get to and work on, unlike a car. It was one of the first things I tackled.

I also suggest looking at how to drill a basket for better shifting:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=78643.0

[iron_worker]

Is it really the clutch you are having problems with if you are able to shift into 1st and 2nd? Sounds like more of a shifting mechanism/shift fork issue. When you pull the clutch lever does the engine disengage from the trans? Are you able to roll the bike back and forth with the clutch pulled and the bike in 1st of 2nd? This should tell you if the clutch is disengaging as it should.

Btw, I don't know if I would replace springs just because they were sitting. I don't think they would go "bad" just sitting... unless they are rusted or something. With only 16k on it they should be good. The friction material on the other hand could get hard and brittle I imagine if it wasn't sitting in oil as it sat.

Do some more testing and let us know.

IW

[xruss]

IW, that'll be a little tricky right now as i have the front end off the bike while replacing bearings, fork seals and overhauling the front brakes.  The bike did roll while in gear.  Whether or not it did this with the clutch lever pulled, I don't know as I didn't try.