Author Topic: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.  (Read 1731 times)

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Offline HondaMan

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #25 on: February 02, 2020, 11:52:25 AM »
Here's another 'metric' that you can use: the top edge of the top pressure plate of the clutch should be even height with the ends of the clutch basket fingers. The lifter can reach it if it is within +/-0.5mm from dead-equal height, leaving you some adjustment afterward.

his all came about because Honda was sensitive to the magazines of the 1970s complaining about the shifting clutch engagement point of the clutch lever on the CB500-4. the long clutch rod that went thru that engine was steel, while the cases were aluminum alloy: the cases spread about 1mm in width as the engine heats up, while the clutch rod only extended 0.2mm (at 200 degrees F). The result was that the lever had to be adjusted to 0 clearance when cold to get 0.5" (6mm) slack at full temperature. In the CB550, the clutch lifter was grafted into the existing cases and the top pressure plate thickened a little bit, and the disengagement direction was changed to push from the right side instead of from the left, so the total change-for-heat difference at the lever became less than 2mm after warmup. But...this also reduced the available lift distance to less than 5mm total travel because of the shape of the little lifter cam and the lack of space to make it bigger without redesigning major parts of the engine. While it was a clever fix at the time, it does leave the stack height of the clutch as a critical dimension.

All this info is lost to modern vendors, though, as they just sell stuff without doing research on whether it will actually WORK in the bikes. This is much, much different from the Honda community of the last century! We're really fortunate to have this SOHC4 forum so we can get this info out to those who love these bikes as much as we who rode them since 1969. ;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline Dimitri13

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #26 on: February 02, 2020, 01:09:23 PM »
Lots of great information there. I'm about to head down to the garage to get this assembled. Will report back with results.

Offline Dimitri13

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #27 on: February 02, 2020, 02:25:53 PM »
I have 7 fibers and 7 steels (steel to steel on one set).

I have proper engagement and disengagement but when in gear and the clutch disengaged it drags a bit. Not enough to catch the engine but definitely enough that the tire spins less than a quarter rotation when spun by hand.

I can't remember if that's how it is because it's been many years since I've had a complete bike.

Offline steeldoncb550

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #28 on: February 02, 2020, 02:52:06 PM »
I have 7 fibers and 7 steels (steel to steel on one set).

I have proper engagement and disengagement but when in gear and the clutch disengaged it drags a bit. Not enough to catch the engine but definitely enough that the tire spins less than a quarter rotation when spun by hand.

I can't remember if that's how it is because it's been many years since I've had a complete bike.
Still too thick. Try what I said from the beginning fibres on outsides and no steel to steel.

Offline Dimitri13

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #29 on: February 02, 2020, 03:11:40 PM »
Quote
I have 7 fibers and 7 steels (steel to steel on one set).

I have proper engagement and disengagement but when in gear and the clutch disengaged it drags a bit. Not enough to catch the engine but definitely enough that the tire spins less than a quarter rotation when spun by hand.

I can't remember if that's how it is because it's been many years since I've had a complete bike.
Still too thick. Try what I said from the beginning fibres on outsides and no steel to steel.

7 fiber 6 steel right? I did try that one but it was too loose.

Offline steeldoncb550

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #30 on: February 02, 2020, 03:24:35 PM »
Quote
I have 7 fibers and 7 steels (steel to steel on one set).

I have proper engagement and disengagement but when in gear and the clutch disengaged it drags a bit. Not enough to catch the engine but definitely enough that the tire spins less than a quarter rotation when spun by hand.

I can't remember if that's how it is because it's been many years since I've had a complete bike.
Still too thick. Try what I said from the beginning fibres on outsides and no steel to steel.

7 fiber 6 steel right? I did try that one but it was too loose.
Watch this and skip to 10:20 mark.

Offline Dimitri13

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #31 on: February 02, 2020, 11:42:02 PM »
Yeah my clutch pack is very nearly that height but with 7 of each plate. 8 fiber 7 steel is way too thick, 7 fiber 6 steel is a bit too thin.

Offline dave500

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Re: New clutch, can't get it adjusted. 74 550k.
« Reply #32 on: February 03, 2020, 12:55:21 AM »
too bad hes got the cable at the bracket wrong though!the sleeve nut goes from above into the holder and its locked from above with the nut