Topic: 1978 CB550K clutch adjustment

[marksman]

I did read some posts a couple of weeks ago about clutch adjustment.
Yet I am unclear how to do the clutch adjustment?

Bike is original 4900 miles.

The two little dots on the clutch housing seem to be almost lined up?

So I adjusted cable at the lever per shop manual.

I loosened cable adjustment at engine end.

Then I stupidly turned the clutch adjustment screw all the way in and then almost all the way to it seemed it was coming out of the case.

Then I turned it in a few turns.

I think I should have left it alone?!?@#$#$%

Not a big problem, but i like everything perfect.

Any help or advice would be appreciated

[bryanj]

Cant remember which way but if you turn it all the way one of the ways you have to take the clutch cover off to reset it

[flatlander]

yes sounds like the screw is out of the threaded bolt thingy on the lever inside the case, that it goes into.
you'd need to take the cover off to put the adjuster screw back in its place. if you lie the bike on its right left (take off tank first) then you don't need to drain the oil for this. it's not a big deal, but have a new gasket ready.

[bryanj]

LEFT side, clutch cover is on right

[flatlander]

LEFT side, clutch cover is on right

duh- you're right!

[marksman]

Original poster here.
I did not take the screw completely out.

I just want to know the correct procedure to adjust the screw?
Thank you

[flatlander]

do you have a manual? regular adjustment is described here: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb500/service_manual/HSM500550_5.pdf

you hold the arm in place so that the dots are aligned, then adjust the screw so that it remains in that position. a little goes a long way with that screw. if you go to far and drop the arm, the cam inside the cover slips out from underneath the inner arm. if that happens, to place it back, you need to remove the cover.

the partslist show the arrangement of these inner parts: http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb550
that site is in italian but the documents are in english. you can also see the diagrams online on https://www.cmsnl.com/

[robvangulik]

Just screw in until you feel resistance, and then 1/4 to 1/2 turn out again, the same with almost all Honda's.

[bryanj]

It dont work that way on the 550 as the adjusterdoes not touch the clutch

[dave500]

the left hand cork screw push type adjusts like that,theres only one way to do the 550,slacken off the cable fully,raise the lever with your thumb and adjust the set screw untill the dots line up,then reset the cable,like so.

[flatlander]

marksman, did you get this to work?

[marksman]

Flatlander, I have not worked on the bike yet because two weeks ago I melted the wires from alternator to rectifier.
I appreciate the suggestions from all, and plan on adjusting the clutch after I get the bike back up and running.

[bryanj]

You dont have to take the screw out for it to jump the lever just wind it all the way one way and i cant remember which