Topic: Clutch slipping, no free-play in clutch cable. '74 CB550K0

[chooooons]

Recently replaced the old clutch cable, friction disks, springs and gasket on my 1974 CB550K0.  Followed the shop manuals (Clymer and Haynes) and a helpful video on YouTube.  A few months back I helped a buddy do the same on his bike, which worked out great.

Pre-soaked the disks, removed some of the rust on the spacers, put everything back together, tightened the lifter plate bolts but not too tight.
Once I got everything buttoned up, adjustment screw on the clutch case snug then turned back an 1/8th of a turn and secured with the locknut I noticed the clutch slipping at about 3/4 - WOT in each gear.  After referencing the manuals again and checking this forum I attempted to adjust the free-play in the clutch lever, but not matter how much I adjust there is no free-play.  The clutch adjusting bolt at the lever end is completely screwed in and the lower adjuster is set to allow max free play in the cable (see below).

Looking at what I ordered I noticed the clutch cable that came with the set from 4into1 (see below) is a few inches longer than the genuine Honda cable they sell for my bike.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Items Used:
Cable http://4into1.com/control-cable-set-honda-cb550k-cb750-early
EBC Clutch Plate Set http://4into1.com/ebc-clutch-plate-set-ck1147-honda-cb550-cb650-gl500-gl650
EBC Clutch Springs http://4into1.com/ebc-clutch-spring-set-csk9-honda-cb550
Pro Honda GN4 10w-40 oil

Current adjustments:
At the lever https://i.imgur.com/iKwxOlk.jpg
Lower https://i.imgur.com/9qOjmTv.jpg
Clutch case https://i.imgur.com/lMqIA4G.jpg

Edit: Links

[BomberMann650]

The mark on the armature is supposed to line up with the dimple on the cover.

Turn the adjust counter clockwise until those marks are close.  Then use the adjuster at that end of the clutch cable to pull the slack.

Did you compare the ebc springs to oem?  Was there any trouble fitting the final cork ring into the basket?  (The ebc clutch kit fits most cb550 baskets - but not my 550f)

[chooooons]

Thanks for the reply, BomberMann. 650 area code? That looks familiar 

With the adjuster at the clutch cover completely tightened (turned counter clockwise), the marks still aren't lined up as the picture shows in my original post.  Dimple on the armature is higher than the dimple on the clutch cover.  I turned the adjuster all the way out, then back to notice any movement which wasn't much.

No noticeable visual difference between the OEM springs and the EBC, although EBC claims they are 15% stronger than OEM.  Buddy of mine used those springs in his '76 550 and they work just fine.

No trouble fitting the last plate, the kit I got had 8 plates, 7 the same and 1 larger (which isn't used on the '74 550).

[jonda500]

Turn the case adjuster screw clockwise more until you have some freeplay - seems in this case 1/8 of a turn just isn't enough
John

[BomberMann650]

The 650 is a cubic capacity.  Bombardier DS650 was my first powersport toy.
Anyway...
I used the whole ebc kit in my 550f - carefully trimmed the ears to fit the basket.  Didn't give me any trouble. 

Are you lifting up on the armature as you turn the adjustment screw.  It should come down to meet the case mark if you do that.  The spring inside is what forces the armature to go all the way down against the cover.

[chooooons]

What I meant was an 1/8th of a turn out (counter clockwise) from snug on the adjuster which is what I thought I was advised on the forum. Even with the adjuster completely snug, after lifting the arm while I tighten, the dimples do not line up and there is no free-play in the cable.  Thanks for your response.

[BomberMann650]

That's the spec for a harley clutch.

Honda's rely on those two marks lining up.  The rest is in the cable.

[jonda500]

The adjuster screw doesn't thread into the cover, it passes through it and threads into the internal release arm, so the case adjustment is backwards, as in you turn the screw counter clockwise to tighten (or reduce freeplay) and clockwise to back off (or increase freeplay).
John