Author Topic: cb500/4 clutch springs  (Read 2027 times)

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Offline florence

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cb500/4 clutch springs
« on: October 18, 2007, 12:11:51 PM »
The clutch on my bike slips sometimes under hard acceleration and changing gear.  Also if I go over a big bump in the road the clutch will slip momentarily.  I have tried adjusting the clutch and greasing the actuating mechanism etc but to no avail.  Has anyone tried using heavier springs in the clutch basket; does this make the clutch too heavy to operate or drag when hot?  Any experience or views appreciated.  This seems to be a honda weakness because the clutch on my cb350k is bad too. (same plates).

Offline paulages

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Re: cb500/4 clutch springs
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2007, 12:14:10 PM »
i have heavy duty clutch springs in my 550, and it no longer slips at all. the lever is, however, making my left forearm look like popeye's.  ;D
paul
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1974 CB550 (735cc)
1976 CB550 (590cc) road racer
1973 CB750K3
1972 NORTON Commando Combat
1996 KLX650 R

Offline number13

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Re: cb500/4 clutch springs
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2007, 12:18:02 PM »
Have you tried new clutch plates?
If not, you can degrease the old
fiber plates by soaking them in
gasoline for an hour or so.
Sometimes thats all it takes.
Bikes parked out front mean good chicken-fried steak inside.

Offline Deltarider

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Re: cb500/4 clutch springs
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2007, 12:31:17 PM »
Florence,

I rremeber reading a similar thread on the forum of the German CB Four Club recently. Some people had changed the original springs for heavier. Nobody was happy with the result (indeed, the Popeye's arm syndrome).
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Offline florence

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Re: cb500/4 clutch springs
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2007, 01:54:37 PM »
hey thanks for that, i ride my bike a lot of miles each day so that could become a pain.  I will try the suggestion about de-greasing first and if that doesn't work then i will go for the springs as a second option.  at least all of these things are reversible.

Offline Tower

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Re: cb500/4 clutch springs
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2007, 11:06:49 PM »
Measure spring height.  You don't need heavier springs, perhaps just newer springs will do?

Also warpage in the clutch plates could create the problem you're having.  Lay the plates (after de-glazing) on a sheet of glass and try to slip a feeler gauge underneath.  In a pinch you may use two sheets of 24lb paper.  If the papers slip under the clutch plate at any point along its edge, replace the clutch plate.  Otherwise, get a gauge that matches tolerances found in the bike's repair manual.

Offline bozo4onion

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Re: cb500/4 clutch springs
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2007, 09:50:25 AM »
As a newb I replaced my clutch (550F) only to find my cable was gummed and my clutch was out of adjustment. Great learning e$perience.