Author Topic: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread  (Read 2045 times)

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Offline Anghil

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Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« on: August 08, 2017, 06:11:48 PM »
I appreciate your patience on this topic, as I'm sure everyone's tired of re-addressing it.

My clutch won't fully disengage and it's seriously boggling my mind. Everything was working fine, I removed the left side cover to check out a potential leak. After I replaced the cover the clutch was reacting differently (it was creeping just a bit when fully pulled back). I made a small adjustment which only worsened it, so I undid that adjustment only for it to be even worse. I've checked out videos online, read a multitude of threads, read the clymer manual, all to no avail. The lifter rod is in one piece and the ball bearing is present, and everything that should be is greased up.

I've adjusted the lifter mechanism as directed by various threads and the clymer manual; clockwise until you feel resistance, then just a smidge back.
side_cover" border="0

On its own this adjustment isn't doing anything it seems, as the clutch doesn't disengage at all. When I make adjustments at the other 2 points it will disengage just barely enough to walk the bike with a fair amount of effort.

I've adjusted the lower nuts in a variety of configurations, none of which seem to fix the issue:
lower_adjust" border="0

I've adjusted the bit at the lever as well, in various configurations, with no result.
upper_adjust" border="0


I've attempted what seems to be all possible options (completely loosened, completely tight, and all combinations between) with only a slight bit of progress. What am I missing, or how am I incorrectly adjusting the clutch?

Cheers! -
« Last Edit: August 08, 2017, 06:14:22 PM by Anghil »
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2017, 06:29:01 PM »
I no longer have a CB500, but remember adjusting the clutch was no big deal. 

How old is the cable?   It could be stretched out....
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline jonda500

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2017, 06:31:43 PM »
I would suspect the cable is causing this. My 500 had a similar issue - I couldn't select neutral with the engine running. I replaced the cable with a genuine honda one and that fixed it. I think the cable outer was compressing too much.
With a genuine cable fitted the marks on the barrel adjuster and the sprocket cover should be lined up.
John
Remember that an ignoramus is only someone who doesn't know something you just learned yesterday!

A starter clutch thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,122084.0.html
1972 CB500K1 original 4 owner bike
1972 CB500K1 returned to complete/original condition
1975 CB550F built from parts - project thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149161.msg1711626.html#msg1711626
197? CB500/550 constructing from left over parts
1998 KTM 380 (two stroke) recent impulse buy, mmmm...

Offline Anghil

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2017, 06:41:50 PM »
It's a newer cable, not more than 2 years old. I'm fairly certain this is a user error on my part, but can't seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Everything was working just fine til I removed the left cover to check inside. -
Always looking to learn something new.

Offline jonda500

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2017, 06:47:52 PM »
I would take the cover back off and see if the ball bearing is still in there? The adjuster in the cover shouldn't have to be any where near that far tightened!
John
Remember that an ignoramus is only someone who doesn't know something you just learned yesterday!

A starter clutch thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,122084.0.html
1972 CB500K1 original 4 owner bike
1972 CB500K1 returned to complete/original condition
1975 CB550F built from parts - project thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149161.msg1711626.html#msg1711626
197? CB500/550 constructing from left over parts
1998 KTM 380 (two stroke) recent impulse buy, mmmm...

Offline Deltarider

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2017, 06:53:52 AM »
Quote
I would take the cover back off and see if the ball bearing is still in there? The adjuster in the cover shouldn't have to be any where near that far tightened!
+1 By the look of it, the big adjuster seems in an odd position, so either it's too loose or too tight. As far as the cable, I hope you ordered the right one, as Honda had two different lengths: for US and for Euro handlebars (see Parts List).
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Offline Anghil

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2017, 11:02:28 AM »
Ball bearing is there. I can't imagine I've got the incorrect cable. It's been working up to this point, would an incorrect cable work for two years and suddenly not function properly?
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Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2017, 11:48:15 AM »
the flat head adjustment on the cover probably needs adjustment, I think it should be parallel with the ground honestly. I had mine looking like yours one day and just turned it back parallel with the ground and adjusted the other two points and it was fine.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2017, 02:32:38 PM »
Ball bearing is there. I can't imagine I've got the incorrect cable. It's been working up to this point, would an incorrect cable work for two years and suddenly not function properly?

Two years old?   Buy the correct Honda cable...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2017, 06:55:46 PM »
When you had the side cover off did you do anything to the clutch lifter?
There's some info in this thread about damage to look for.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=14273.0

Some info here too.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=89065.0
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
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Offline jaytee-nz

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2017, 09:27:15 PM »
+1 The problem started straight after you took the cover off. Logic says that something happened then or as a result of putting the cover back on. Your cable will not suddenly change it's function at exactly the same time.
Retrace your steps carefully in relation to the cover - the answer lies there !

Offline Deltarider

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Re: Yet Another CB500 Clutch Thread
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2017, 12:33:56 AM »
+2 Remove cover and inspect again. If you're about to adjust again you may want to read this: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,165583.msg1914790.html#msg1914790 .
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