I'm working on this 1972 CB500 Four, and can't seem to get the clutch cable dialed in; I thought I had it adjusted right, but something is amiss because when I try to pull the clutch in, it just stops, and won't do that little 'give' you feel when you pull in a normal one...pull the clutch lever and it feels like it won't go any farther - did I have it adjusted too tight?? it still has the original pushrod, and the ball in the adjuster, and I thought I had it yesterday but the whole clutch action seemed too 'weak' or something so of course I had to keep screwing with it.
I'm using a new clutch cable that is the same length as the old one; with the clutch side cover on, I can pull in the clutch at the handlebars, but the lifter itself only moves slightly - it's loose/it will go in and out, probably about 5 mm - but when the engine is buttoned up and you pull the clutch in, it's like the clutch lever just STOPS, and won't go any further. The clutch plates themselves are free - I cleaned them a while back (3 or 4 months ago), but do they get sticky again over time? I'll clean them again and see if that does anything...
Also, I am torquing the clutch plate bolts to what the book says - 5.8–7.5 ft-lbs - would that have anything to do with it?
From what I have gathered though, these early 500 clutches seem to be a bit problematic - I'm assuming my problem is something I'm doing (or not doing!), but I wanted to field this question and see what you guys say.
