Topic: CB750F2 APE Clutch Slipping BAD

[madScientist]

This is REALLY p1$$ing me off. My old clutch was slipping badly so I bought the APE heavy duty clutch kit. The bike is a 77 CB750F2 (836, 125-65 cam, RS34's, JMR head). Along with the kit I"m using the stock "wide tab" friction plate and the double plate.

I have had the whole thing in and out several times and each time the same result. The clutch slips so badly it wont hold past 2k RPM.

I have verified that the pressure plate teeth are oriented right
The lifter plate is down
Tried all plates
Tried one extra plate
Swapped clutch covers
Swapped actuator assemblies

It seems to hold well when the clutch cover is off but as soon as the cover is on it starts to exhibit the bad slipping problem. I think the problem is in the actuator assembly but i have the same problem with 2 different assemblies. This is with the adjustment primarily out.

Single extra plate:


Double extra plates


With the double plates it felt like the clutch was hitting the cover when I pulled the lever in

Tappered washer with the tappered end pointed towards the outside of the bike:



Lifter plate assembly



This picture sucks but the nut is flush with the end of the shaft:


Okay masters of motorcycles...what am I doing wrong?! I'm kind of at the end of my rope here. Like I said i "think" it's in the actuator assembly or something with the cover? But then why would multiple assemblies and multiple clutch covers have the same problem. I'm fairly certain the actuator is set right. It almost seems like the actuator is hitting the lifter plate but how could that be if the lifter plate is seated all the way? Is this caused by the lifter plate being 90 degrees off?

Any help that can be provided would be supremely appreciated as this is the last piece before I can really take it down the road...

[madScientist]

Anybody?

If I get a chance today I'm going to rotate the lifter plate 90 degrees and see if that has any affect.

[Don R]

I'm winging it here, only fooled with one once, but the lock nut and screw adjustment on the cover, does it seem to get a point where there is no pressure or is it pushing all the time on the lifter?

[Harsh]

Not sure on the plate stack thing.  Mine are stock so I didn't have to mess with them.

The lifer plate might be adjusted incorrectly.  Did you start off with the lock nut/screw (like Don R commented) adjusted all the way out (counter clock wise)?

[Nikkisixx]

I'm spit-balling here but those springs look new.  Make sure they aren't going solid when installed maybe? 

I was also going to mention rotating the lifter plate but you are on that. 

[754]

Try a double gasket..

[madScientist]

The adjustment screw was backed all the way out and I still had the same problem.

What did you mean by "springs going solid"?

I think i'll have time in a little bit to rotate the lifter plate and we'll give that a try. If that doesn't work I'll run up to Honda and try the double gasket idea.

[Nikkisixx]

At some point all the coils in the spring touch.  It wont compress any further.  I think that when this happens it prevents the clutch from disengaging, but maybe it could cause t to slip?  Like I said, just tossing out ideas...

[madScientist]

I'll add that to the list of things to check.

Thank you all for your help. I hate that the bike runs so good but wont use that power to drive the wheel...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Did you soak the new plates in oil overnight?

[brandEn]

Did you soak the new plates in oil overnight?

Thats a good question....

[madScientist]

I soaked the plates for roughly 3 days before trying them out.

Now the good news! IT'S FIXED!!

I rotated the lifter plate 90 degrees....no change...was still real sloppy

I pulled the stack back out. Compared the stock height to the APE +1 height. The +1 was too low contributing to the slippage. However +2 was WAY too high. Without the double plate it was too low. So either I was dealt a bad set of plates or the APE kit plates aren't compatible with the 77 750F2.

I put the stock setup in with the HD springs and JOY!!! Clutch feels great and holds great. I even "tractored" it in high gear, low RPM and it didn't let go.

So if anyone wants a set of APE friction plates I'll let 'em go cheap.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Just took a look. Say fits through 78! The 77/78 uses the double metal but the basket length is longer to allow the double?? Interesting situation. The clutch, however simple it is, can be/is mystifying!

BrandEn, it also says 1 extra metal disc

[lwahples]

Glad to see that you have it working . Now need to check all the baskets to see if any are longer and mark them. I like learning.