Topic: Clutch Adjustment Fail

[MaVi]

Hi, new on the forum. Greetings to all. I dont  know what happened but was turning adjustemnt screw counterclockwise and after las turn heard a “pop” inside comer. Clutch lever on engine side stayed all the way down and now screw doesnt make any changes. Having a hard time to get thw cable to fit again. No any other changes made. Maybe adjuster on the inside got free or something I imagine. Any thoughts?

1977 CB550F

[bryanj]

You will have to remove the clutch cover as you have screwed too far and the internal lever has popped over the cam. The correct adjustment proceedure is in the manual.

[MaVi]

Thanks bryanj. I found out I can manage to get the cable in place if I try to lift the lever with a pry bar or something similar but clutch seems too tight. Do you think I wont be able to adjust it enough this way? So my only option would be drain oil and open cover?

Is this a relatively easy job or it would be better to take it to a shop? I meam, I can open the cover, change gaskets, etc but this is my first bike so not too comfortable if I need to dissasemble clutch to reinstall adjuster.

[Scott S]

 You have to remove the clutch cover to fix it properly. There's also a wire spring of sorts that will need to be positioned over the clutch lifter arm (inside the clutch cover). There's a stepped cam of sorts, that must be UNDER the lifter arm.

 You can manage it, but you'll have to drain the oil. I'd have a clutch cover gasket on hand, as the old ones sometimes tear.....and always tear when you don't have a spare!

 * drain oil
 * remove kick lever
 * remove cable from arm
 * remove the cover
 * thread adjuster screw back into the clutch arm, making sure the spring and lifter is in its proper place
 * clean off old clutch cover gasket, install new
 * replace cover and kicker
 * install cable, add oil and adjust per the manual

[MaVi]

Thanks Scott. Will try that then. Some new skills to learn everyday. So let’s keep knowing my bike and enjoy the journey.   

[Scott S]

 Here's what you will see. But, most likely,  the spring is now UNDER the lifter and the lip or stepped edge on the cam is OVER the lifter. You need to get it back like these.
 A hook tool and a helper make it easier.

[Bodi]

This is a dry sump engine - there should be no reason to drain oil to remove the clutch cover. Some will dribble out but the main oil supply is not involved.
Even in the wet sump SOHC4 engines the oil level is down in the sump, not above the clutch cover lower edge.

[MaVi]

Thanks Scott. That is really helpful. Will take a look inside for sure.

[MaVi]

Hey Bodi, I notice oils start to leak if I screw adjustment screw all the way in, so there is oil at that level. Maybe not enough to drain it though. I am not sure.

[Scott S]

 The 550 is a wet sump engine.  There's ALWAYS  been oil behind that cover when I removed it, even after draining the oil.

 I suppose you can try leaning it over on the kick stand and be prepared for a mess. Personally,  I wouldn't.

[MaVi]

Yes, I think I will drain the oil. Its just one more screw and dont want to make a mess on garage 
Going to order a gasket tomorrow in case I need it.

[MaVi]

Its fixed now (hopefully). Just waiting for a new gasket I ordered yesterday. My question is regarding the gasket. According to 4into1 it fits my bike but seems a little different than the one it had. The are some opening a little different. I attach pictures. First one is the one I had (big openings), second one is the one I ordered.

[Scott S]

 Should be fine, I think.

[BenelliSEI]

+1. If you look inside your cover, those are “empty” spaces. It will work fine.....