Topic: Steel Clutch Plates Orientation

[KvilleRelic]

Well I decided to rebuild the clutch on my CB550 K0, new cable, lever, clutch fibers, springs, and deglazed steels .... after install I added Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 and 2 oz of Lucas Zinc additive. Now it seems cluth is not fully disengsging meaning in 1st gear with clutch lever squeezed the tire rolls stiffly.

After reading reems of info from this site I've concluded that the only step I missed was to keep all the sharp edge side of steel plates the same, but I need to know if it's sharp towards engine or away?

I've had that clutch cover off 3 times this weekend :'(  My problem is very similar to this old post http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=115347.0

[BenelliSEI]

If you’re on the centre stand and checking for clutch drag with the engine OFF, you might be over thinking this. It never really goes “free wheeling”. If it works smoothly when riding, and isn’t dragging when stopped, you are probably just fine!

[Kelly E]

Both the steels and the frictions have the sharp edges from being stamped out. As far as I know it doesn't matter which way the sharp edges face but both the steels and frictions have to be stacked the same way. Some say it's supposed to be sharp edges in.

[HondaMan]

It will also take some miles before the new plates are fully oiled. This makes the clutch drag quite a bit until it is "seated", regardless of sharp-side or dull-side orientation.

The clutch works best if the sharp edges are all facing the same way. "In" or "Out" isn't quite as important.

[Don R]

 I did a lot of adjusting on my new (unknown source frictions) 750 clutch recently. It seemed to not want to adjust, I fiddled with it a lot, then after some more miles it got happy. 

[newday777]

A tip on friction discs from the goldwing forums I've been on,  soak the friction discs in your engine oil overnight to pre-lube them before installing. You can use a plastic container with the lid or a ziploc baggie, of the appropriate size, so there is room for discs to move as you rotate it around to get the oil on all surfaces. Drain the oil out and stand the discs in a pan to drip a few minutes before installing.

[KvilleRelic]

Thankyou for all the tips ... I will put the fuel tank and seat back on and give it a chance to "break in" and see if it improves. I did pre-soak fibers ahead of time and maybe the answer is to drive it.

Will do an update, now if only this cold rain would pass.

[Tracksnblades1]

Thankyou for all the tips ... I will put the fuel tank and seat back on and give it a chance to "break in" and see if it improves. I did pre-soak fibers ahead of time and maybe the answer is to drive it.

Will do an update, now if only this cold rain would pass.

I would lose the zinc additive if it were mine..

 Rottella T4 has about the maximum recommended zinc in it already. Some say after 1200-1300 ppm there’s no longer any benefits. And some say it’s actually less effective… And new Rotella has more zinc added than old Rotella.

On your new clutch, on 750s it more important not to overheat the new components before they’re all mated together and throughly lubricated.  I would spare your drag race clutch fanning until you’re satisfied with your clutch’s operation and break in.

If you feel your not disengaging completely check all your cable adjustments and clutch linkages for wear..some aftermarket cables seem weak and the inner cable stretches during use giving up some of the required travel to get full disengage.

I fought this with non Honda cables before. you’re always wondering does the free travel measurement spec include the cable stretch..?   Especially when using the old Barnett HD springs…🤔

Make sure your clutch lever is a Honda with the correct ratio. A worn pivot hole may change this a bit also..

If you have large hands you can modify your clutch lever to get more cable travel, but it will move the handle away from the bars.  My buddy would just bend his Honda handle to do the same after installing the Barnett HD springs. I still have my HD springs in the same tool box after trying them years ago..no mph increase or rpm decrease in fifth gear..

[KvilleRelic]

I do have another new cable (I ordered both std and short) so I'll experiment there. thanks

[KvilleRelic]

Well popped on fuel tank and battery, let it spin on 1st gear with center stand and all good, wet clutch was thirsty for some high rpm oil

[KvilleRelic]

…but before that I took it apart again, all edges were facing away from engine so I changed them to towards engine (didn’t feel any different until I actually ran it for a minute) I should have tried that a week ago.