Author Topic: CB750 Clutch Issues  (Read 6939 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #25 on: September 19, 2021, 07:59:25 PM »
The top plate that 'floats' on the springs is technically the lifter plate, while this broken one is the pressure plate. If the bolts get tightened unevenly, the [top] pressure plate can break, but if someone had installed the pressure plate without engaging the lower splines of the hub and then tightened it down, your break is what happens. Usually it breaks the long studs right out of the plate, looks like this one was tightened down on 2 bolts only while being not-in-the-splines at the same time. I have seen these broken clean in half!
« Last Edit: September 30, 2021, 06:33:54 PM by HondaMan »
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #26 on: September 30, 2021, 04:39:48 PM »
I have concluded that I am, in fact, not lucky.

After installing the new pressure plate and clutch, I started the bike and clicked into first and it stalled (which was amazing.)
I tried to do it again and when I clicked into first nothing happened, as before.

I pulled the shifter cover and didn't immediately notice anything out of the ordinary, until I clicked it into first and realized that the shift drum is barely in first gear at all from what it looks like. I will attempt to attach a picture.

What do I do from here? Is this a symptom of a bent shift fork? Could it be that I did something wrong during the clutch install that is preventing it from clicking into gear fully?
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #27 on: September 30, 2021, 06:53:03 PM »
I have concluded that I am, in fact, not lucky.

After installing the new pressure plate and clutch, I started the bike and clicked into first and it stalled (which was amazing.)
I tried to do it again and when I clicked into first nothing happened, as before.

I pulled the shifter cover and didn't immediately notice anything out of the ordinary, until I clicked it into first and realized that the shift drum is barely in first gear at all from what it looks like. I will attempt to attach a picture.

What do I do from here? Is this a symptom of a bent shift fork? Could it be that I did something wrong during the clutch install that is preventing it from clicking into gear fully?

From that position, can you hand-turn the drum fully into 1st gear?
What I'm getting at: if the shifter pawl cannot pull the drum fully into 1st but it can set it into 2nd handily, it may well be a bent "L" fork, but bent opposite the most common direction. I have only seen this once.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #28 on: September 30, 2021, 08:18:51 PM »
I have concluded that I am, in fact, not lucky.

After installing the new pressure plate and clutch, I started the bike and clicked into first and it stalled (which was amazing.)
I tried to do it again and when I clicked into first nothing happened, as before.

I pulled the shifter cover and didn't immediately notice anything out of the ordinary, until I clicked it into first and realized that the shift drum is barely in first gear at all from what it looks like. I will attempt to attach a picture.

What do I do from here? Is this a symptom of a bent shift fork? Could it be that I did something wrong during the clutch install that is preventing it from clicking into gear fully?

From that position, can you hand-turn the drum fully into 1st gear?
What I'm getting at: if the shifter pawl cannot pull the drum fully into 1st but it can set it into 2nd handily, it may well be a bent "L" fork, but bent opposite the most common direction. I have only seen this once.

The drum does not move any further toward the appropriate first gear position from that spot when I turn it by hand. In fact I'm not sure how it was even able to stay in first firmly enough to allow me to stall it earlier...
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #29 on: September 30, 2021, 08:33:57 PM »
Okay wait a second… I was spinning the wheel and clicking through the gears and now I can only shift between third, fourth and fifth! The actuator arm(?) does not contact the pin on the shift drum to get to second gear and below… what the f%#!…
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #30 on: September 30, 2021, 08:41:03 PM »
Rolling the wheel allows it to shift fully into first gear…
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #31 on: October 01, 2021, 06:17:53 PM »
When shifting gears, the bike's rear wheel needs to be moving (evenly slowly) or else the dogs cannot index into the slots in the gears. That's the nature of the constant-mesh gearbox.

What I'm [poorly] trying to get to is: when the shift move is made, the shifter starts moving the drum, at which point the dogs start engaging the slots on the gears. As soon as these meet, the shift drum rotation can stall unless the gears are all spinning so they can drop into each other, which will let the shift drum continue to rotate toward the desired gear. So, if the engine is not running, spin the rear wheel (bike on centerstand) while shifting to test it.

When the "L" fork gets bent (the typical way) it will shift further into 1st gear than it will into 2nd gear. This then lets it jump out of 2nd gear when under power, as those dogs are barely engaged. I've known of (several) 750s that were ridden for years by shifting 1-to-3 once this had happened, as there were no other bad effects.

The one odd 750 (bent the opposite way) was started out in 2nd instead of 1st, then to 3rd, etc. (because it could jump out of 1st), and the owner used a 16T front sprocket to lower the overall gearing to commute with it for years.

Either way: it isn't a park-the-bike-until-fixed sort of thing: you can ride it until winter gets in the way and fix it then? That's what I'm doing with my own 750 since the countershaft seal decided to start leaking last Fall, and I didn't discover it was the leak until this Spring. I have to pull the engine for that, but it will give me a chance to try out the "rotisserie fork" that someone from our forums sent me for pulling out these heavy engines. :)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #32 on: October 01, 2021, 06:43:15 PM »
When shifting gears, the bike's rear wheel needs to be moving (evenly slowly) or else the dogs cannot index into the slots in the gears. That's the nature of the constant-mesh gearbox.

What I'm [poorly] trying to get to is: when the shift move is made, the shifter starts moving the drum, at which point the dogs start engaging the slots on the gears. As soon as these meet, the shift drum rotation can stall unless the gears are all spinning so they can drop into each other, which will let the shift drum continue to rotate toward the desired gear. So, if the engine is not running, spin the rear wheel (bike on centerstand) while shifting to test it.

When the "L" fork gets bent (the typical way) it will shift further into 1st gear than it will into 2nd gear. This then lets it jump out of 2nd gear when under power, as those dogs are barely engaged. I've known of (several) 750s that were ridden for years by shifting 1-to-3 once this had happened, as there were no other bad effects.

The one odd 750 (bent the opposite way) was started out in 2nd instead of 1st, then to 3rd, etc. (because it could jump out of 1st), and the owner used a 16T front sprocket to lower the overall gearing to commute with it for years.

Either way: it isn't a park-the-bike-until-fixed sort of thing: you can ride it until winter gets in the way and fix it then? That's what I'm doing with my own 750 since the countershaft seal decided to start leaking last Fall, and I didn't discover it was the leak until this Spring. I have to pull the engine for that, but it will give me a chance to try out the "rotisserie fork" that someone from our forums sent me for pulling out these heavy engines. :)

That's interesting. I definitely learned something there... that explains a lot, almost to the point of me being embarrassed that I didn't make the connection before.

In that case I may not be having a shift fork issue... but I suspect there's still some sort of clutch problem. It is rolling in all gears with the clutch out. It only stalled the first time I put it into gear after reinstalling the clutch pack. Maybe I did something wrong on install?

I guess I will just have to replace the clutch friction pad and springs? I, once again, am at a loss.

Thanks for bearing with me HondaMan
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #33 on: October 03, 2021, 08:12:20 AM »
When shifting gears, the bike's rear wheel needs to be moving (evenly slowly) or else the dogs cannot index into the slots in the gears. That's the nature of the constant-mesh gearbox.

What I'm [poorly] trying to get to is: when the shift move is made, the shifter starts moving the drum, at which point the dogs start engaging the slots on the gears. As soon as these meet, the shift drum rotation can stall unless the gears are all spinning so they can drop into each other, which will let the shift drum continue to rotate toward the desired gear. So, if the engine is not running, spin the rear wheel (bike on centerstand) while shifting to test it.

When the "L" fork gets bent (the typical way) it will shift further into 1st gear than it will into 2nd gear. This then lets it jump out of 2nd gear when under power, as those dogs are barely engaged. I've known of (several) 750s that were ridden for years by shifting 1-to-3 once this had happened, as there were no other bad effects.

The one odd 750 (bent the opposite way) was started out in 2nd instead of 1st, then to 3rd, etc. (because it could jump out of 1st), and the owner used a 16T front sprocket to lower the overall gearing to commute with it for years.

Either way: it isn't a park-the-bike-until-fixed sort of thing: you can ride it until winter gets in the way and fix it then? That's what I'm doing with my own 750 since the countershaft seal decided to start leaking last Fall, and I didn't discover it was the leak until this Spring. I have to pull the engine for that, but it will give me a chance to try out the "rotisserie fork" that someone from our forums sent me for pulling out these heavy engines. :)

That's interesting. I definitely learned something there... that explains a lot, almost to the point of me being embarrassed that I didn't make the connection before.

In that case I may not be having a shift fork issue... but I suspect there's still some sort of clutch problem. It is rolling in all gears with the clutch out. It only stalled the first time I put it into gear after reinstalling the clutch pack. Maybe I did something wrong on install?

I guess I will just have to replace the clutch friction pad and springs? I, once again, am at a loss.

Thanks for bearing with me HondaMan

It just sounds like it is mis-assembled.
The plates never go so "bad" that they slip like that. I suspect maybe the rear pressure plate is not sploned into the hub, or maybe the big nut and spring washer are not cicnhed all their way down? I'll go back and look thru the above posts to see if I can catch a clue.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #34 on: October 03, 2021, 09:58:35 AM »
Well, first a touch of the 'theory of how constant-mesh gearboxes work' might help explain the tranny actions you're seeing a little:
The constant-mesh design requires gear rotation motion (here, either from the rear wheel when engine is off, or a running engine) in order to help the gear dogs on the shift-able gears to find their slots. The gearshift lever itself applies little actual force to do the shifting, so the well-oiled and spinning gears provide most of the motive force when changing gears. That's why this feels so weird when you're trying to do it by hand with the engine off. The shifter pawl gizmo(s) only partially turn the shift drum until a disengaged (and not yet aligned) dog(s) tries to enter the corresponding hole(s) in the mating gear, at which point that mating gear needs to be spinning to present the hole(s) to the dog(s) as they previous gear had holes and dogs in different locations from the one you're trying to engage with this shift. (Whew...)

OK, on to the problem:
if the (formerly broken) pressure plate's splines are not aligned with the clutch hub's splines, then tightening down the (4) bolts will not close the plate's stack. It is entirely possible (which is how the old one got broken) to do this on assembly. The misaligned pressure plate will still be 'open' by the thickness of about 1 clutch plate, so the symptoms will be like yours are: a slight drag in gear, but no power to the rear wheel, because there is just some light drag between the cork and steel plates. This is also how those pressure plates can get broken, as the springs will close almost completely when assembled and tightened this way, but no pressure is applied to the plates at all.

So...remove the 4 clutch bolts and lifter plate (again...) and then slightly separate the plates manually (so they are not stuck together), then try turning the pressure plate slightly by hand (by using its studs) for the rotation distance of about 1/2 of a spline. The pressure plate should then come loose in your hand and let you pull it toward you slightly (about 3mm) as it aligns with the hub's splines and all the teeth of the steel plates. Then leave it right there while installing the springs and lifter plate and 2 bolts lightly, then wiggle the lifter plate back & forth a little while finger-snugging those 2 bolts down to hold it all together. You'll be able to feel if the rear pressure plate's splines are staying engaged while doing this.

In the end of this little jiggle-and-snug routine, you will be able to start the 2 remaining bolts into their holes and they will be at least 8mm 'high' (disengaged) from their tightened-down position, indicating a correct alignment at the pressure plate. If instead you start to install the 2 remaining bolts and they only have about 3mm (1/8") of length sticking out prior to tightening them, the pressure plate is misaligned and is resting against the clutch plate splines instead of being engaged with them.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #35 on: October 06, 2021, 08:38:55 PM »
Well, as it turns out, I broke the new pressure plate on install. I'm not sure how, I was certain I had lined up the splines properly and it looked to have seated well. It turns out I did not. The back of the pressure plate also had a bunch of circular scratches on it...

The lifter plate surprisingly is fine. Despite that good fortune, I cannot for the life of me find a replacement pressure plate for less than $220 from someone on eBay in the UK. The metal does not look like it would weld, it seems like it's either some sort of pot metal or aluminum. It is not cracked nearly as bad as the other one, but I gather it's essentially useless. I am pretty darn disappointed in myself.

If anyone has a line on where I can get one of these discontinued parts I'd appreciate it. Honda part # is 22350-300-030.
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline PeWe

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,569
  • Bike almost back to the 70's 2015
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #36 on: October 07, 2021, 06:57:56 AM »
Ebay? Lots of used clutches before, complete and as separate parts.
The outer plate holding springs must be tightened in small steps in a crosspattern. When it starts to tighten more than finger tight, 1/4 steps until final of a little less than 10Nm.
M6 8.8 bolt has max 9.8Nm if you check on Internet.
Alu threads max another thing
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,315
  • Central Texas
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #37 on: October 07, 2021, 07:15:31 AM »


If anyone has a line on where I can get one of these discontinued parts I'd appreciate it. Honda part # is 22350-300-030.

Start a thread on the Parts Wanted section, I'm sure one of the guys has one.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Old Scrambler

  • My CB750K3 has been in 39 States & 5 Provinces
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,810
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #38 on: October 07, 2021, 08:39:30 AM »
You're getting some great advice.............you may need to provide future 'pro-bono' legal advice ;)

Curious.......does your output sprocket properly line-up with the rear-wheel sprocket? K-2 to K-8 is not an exact fit. If a PO rode the bike without properly installing a modified output sprocket or changing the rear swingarm and wheel/shock mount, this would put extreme pressure on the output shaft, bearing, and could result in clutch/tranny problems.
Dennis in Wisconsin
'64 Triumph Cub & '74 Honda CB750 Bonneville Salt Flats AMA Record Holder (6)
CB750 Classic Bonneville Racer thread - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,135473.0.html
'63 CL72 Project(s)
'66 CL77 Red
'67 Triumph T100C
'73 750K3 Owned since New
'77 750F2 Cafe Project
2020 ROYAL ENFIELD Himalayan

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #39 on: October 07, 2021, 06:26:37 PM »
Ebay? Lots of used clutches before, complete and as separate parts.
The outer plate holding springs must be tightened in small steps in a crosspattern. When it starts to tighten more than finger tight, 1/4 steps until final of a little less than 10Nm.
M6 8.8 bolt has max 9.8Nm if you check on Internet.
Alu threads max another thing

The one I just broke was off of eBay, but it appears to have been the last one in existence. And I did take it easy with tightening, but I believe something was not fully seated somewhere...



If anyone has a line on where I can get one of these discontinued parts I'd appreciate it. Honda part # is 22350-300-030.

Start a thread on the Parts Wanted section, I'm sure one of the guys has one.

Oh right! I will get on that ASAP.

You're getting some great advice.............you may need to provide future 'pro-bono' legal advice ;)

Curious.......does your output sprocket properly line-up with the rear-wheel sprocket? K-2 to K-8 is not an exact fit. If a PO rode the bike without properly installing a modified output sprocket or changing the rear swingarm and wheel/shock mount, this would put extreme pressure on the output shaft, bearing, and could result in clutch/tranny problems.

I certainly hope the fine members of this forum are keeping free of legal issues, and further hope they never become so desperate as to have to solicit my help  :P

That's interesting, I hadn't thought to check since I, apparently erroneously, assumed the motors were a direct swap. I haven't yet removed the chain but there are no obvious signs of misalignment from what I can tell. I'll have to investigate further when I have a moment... But truthfully from what I've seen so far, this guy was not nearly a competent worker and I doubt that he undertook the swap himself. I'll assume he took it to a reputed CB750 builder, since I had three midterms this week and I don't want any more stress  ;D
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline Mark K

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #40 on: October 07, 2021, 08:58:13 PM »
Australia may have one for you here - (maybe Terry from Australia can vouch for this place?)
http://www.nowramotorcycles.com.au/part/honda/22350300030

or here, not sure what country, but price is in Euros
https://honda4parts.nl/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=541

or here, another Australian place,
http://www.bbmotorcycles.com.au/part/honda-m-p-e/22350300030

Good luck!

Current bikes
'73 Honda CB750K3 (current project), '19 Kawasaki KLX 140G, '72 Honda CL70K3, '70 Honda SL350 (next project)

Former bikes
'74 Yamaha 60, '72 Maico 250, '74 Kawasaki 250 S1, '82 Kawasaki KZ550, '84 Honda VF700F Interceptor, '99 HD FLSTS Heritage Springer, '97 HD FLHTCUI Ultra Classic '05 HD FLHT Electraglide, '9? Buell Lightning, '03 FLHTCUI Ultra Classic,'14 Honda CRF250L

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #41 on: October 07, 2021, 09:17:18 PM »
Australia may have one for you here - (maybe Terry from Australia can vouch for this place?)
http://www.nowramotorcycles.com.au/part/honda/22350300030

or here, not sure what country, but price is in Euros
https://honda4parts.nl/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=541

or here, another Australian place,
http://www.bbmotorcycles.com.au/part/honda-m-p-e/22350300030

Good luck!

The first and third links don't have stock apparently... but the middle place from the Netherlands seems promising! Thank you. I hope I can find something a little closer, otherwise I will certainly do that.
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline CaptFatCat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #42 on: October 08, 2021, 03:55:06 AM »
What area are you in? there is a place near me that has a bunch of parts. Escambia Motor Cycle
Automotive Wholesaler in Brewton, Alabama. Look them up on Facebook. their number is 251-867-8506
« Last Edit: October 08, 2021, 03:58:03 AM by CaptFatCat »
Resurrecting a Herman Munster CB750 from a few old baskets of K2 and K7 parts.

Offline Mark K

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 300
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #43 on: October 08, 2021, 02:26:48 PM »
Wow, I never knew this place existed!
Current bikes
'73 Honda CB750K3 (current project), '19 Kawasaki KLX 140G, '72 Honda CL70K3, '70 Honda SL350 (next project)

Former bikes
'74 Yamaha 60, '72 Maico 250, '74 Kawasaki 250 S1, '82 Kawasaki KZ550, '84 Honda VF700F Interceptor, '99 HD FLSTS Heritage Springer, '97 HD FLHTCUI Ultra Classic '05 HD FLHT Electraglide, '9? Buell Lightning, '03 FLHTCUI Ultra Classic,'14 Honda CRF250L

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #44 on: October 08, 2021, 02:45:31 PM »
What area are you in? there is a place near me that has a bunch of parts. Escambia Motor Cycle
Automotive Wholesaler in Brewton, Alabama. Look them up on Facebook. their number is 251-867-8506

Well I wound up finding a whole clutch basket assembly for $90 on eBay. I guess I didn’t need to eat lunch this week anyway  ;D but that place looks neat.

I decided to try throwing the new plates and springs in using the lesser broken plate and verifying the alignment before tightening. I didn’t notice any difference whatsoever. I did notice that on the final round of snugging up the bolts (very lightly and they were not seated) there was a light “crack” noise. This same noise happened last time when I broke the new pressure plate.

Also, when I tried clicking the bike into gear, about 3 in 20 times I heard a loud “CLACK” from the transmission/shifter side of things, but with no real result. I’m real tired folks.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2021, 09:51:59 PM by flyingclutch »
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #45 on: October 09, 2021, 08:54:00 PM »
Is it possible that the bike’s ability to roll in gear is clutch related or am I likely to be looking at transmission issues?

[edit] Upon removing the clutch this time, I noticed I actually snapped one of the posts off the pressure plate entirely. That solves the mystery of the “crack” noise I guess!

Anyhow, how can I verify whether the transmission is at fault here?
« Last Edit: October 09, 2021, 09:52:38 PM by flyingclutch »
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #46 on: October 10, 2021, 09:08:37 AM »
Either tonight or tomorrow (depending on how my shoulder feels after today!) I am tearing down a 750 engine. I'll see about taking some shots of it to show how to put the clutch back together and try to post them here. Don't know if I have any of those pressure plates, though. Can you post the engine's serial number to make sure it is a K2? The K8 (sometimes) used a different clutch assembly entirely, which required use of a specific clutch cover on the engine afterward, because the depth is different.

And, you may the most-recent victim of what I call 'junkyard hack mechanics' who tear down bike engines quickly to sell the inner parts, using high-speed electric drills to zip the engines apart. These clutch parts (in all of these bikes, and many other similar ones) are easily "pre-cracked" for you by that guy who zipped apart the clutch, one bolt at a time, with his rechargeable Harbor Freight impact hammer-drill so he can throw the parts into a SELL bin and go see his girlfriend sooner. I've watched this happen in too many bike scrapyards, which always makes me deeply inspect parts I buy used from anywhere like eBay.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2021, 10:29:07 AM by HondaMan »
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #47 on: October 10, 2021, 10:47:23 AM »
Either tonight or tomorrow (depending on how my shoulder feels after today!) I am tearing down a 750 engine. I'll see about taking some shots of it to show how to put the clutch back together and try to post them here. Don't know if I have any of those pressure plates, though. Can you post the engine's serial number to make sure it is a K2? The K8 (sometimes) used a different clutch assembly entirely, which required use of a specific clutch cover on the engine afterward, because the depth is different.

And, you may the most-recent victim of what I call 'junkyard hack mechanics' who tear down bike engines quickly to sell the inner parts, using high-speed electric drills to zip the engines apart. These clutch parts (in all of these bikes, and many other similar ones) are easily "pre-cracked" for you by that guy who zipped apart the clutch, one bolt at a time, with his rechargeable Harbor Freight impact hammer-drill so he can throw the parts into a SELL bin and go see his girlfriend sooner. I've watched this happen in too many bike scrapyards, which always makes me deeply inspect parts I buy used from anywhere like eBay.

CB750E-2048221

Yes this next one that I have coming is a whole clutch basket assembly and I may have a line on another one through a bike salvager on OfferUp. I’m 100% convinced that I have the process down now for installation.

My biggest concern is differentiating between whether this issue is just related to the clutch or may get into the transmission. I’d like to confirm this so I can either prep to pull the motor or be relieved that my woes will be over once I get this clutch installed properly.
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,839
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #48 on: October 11, 2021, 07:37:59 AM »
Your engine should have all of one type of cork plate (7 of them) and simple steel plates, none of the dual-steel plates with the tiny flat springs in between them. The steel one goes in first: you might have one steel one that is slightly thicker than the others and if so, it is the first plate in to the bottom of the stack.

Reason I bring this up: the engine I am currently working on turned out to have no cork plates at all, and a set of steel plates from a 1977-era 750, including the dual-sprung steel plate. This engine is a K1, so someone has messed it up. Sorry I can't make any pix of it for you just now, until I get some correct plates together for it.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flyingclutch

  • Master of Confusion
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: CB750 Clutch Issues
« Reply #49 on: October 11, 2021, 09:40:42 AM »
I do have 7 friction plates but the clutch was originally assembled with a friction plate as the first plate (on the motor side) and that is how I reinstalled it…
"All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly."

–Alexander Hamilton