Topic: Clutch Lifter Rod (1971 K0 500 Four)

[paulbaker1954]

In my engine tear-down i discovered the clutch  lifter rod is in 2 pieces. Looking at the parts list it looks as if it should be a single piece. Can anyone confirm this?

If it is in fact a single rod I can't understand how this could have sheared about 3 inches from the left hand case end but hey stranger things have probably happened.

This bike was WELL seized ( I still cant get the gudgeon pins out of the pistons despite liberal heat and a fly press. I am scrapping the pistons anyway so probably just hacksaw or smash the pistons with a big hammer  . As long as I can save the rods I am OK.

[calj737]

It is supposed to be a single length piece. Stock, it had steel ends pressed into an alloy shaft. It's not uncommon for these to break at the pressed ends.

I've turned new ones on a lathe from stainless to replace mine.

[sammermpc]

Yes, the lifter rod should be a single piece. It is a common issue in the CB500s—I'm not sure the cause, but I've read a loose chain can do it. Not sure how that'd work.

They are difficult to find online, these days, though David Silver sometimes has replacements, and I believe the CB450 uses a similar rod, and can function as a drop-in replacement.

[fodzilla]

Had the same issue with mine.  Couldn't find one online at the time so just put both pieces back in the bolted it up until they are available again.

[Bailgang]

Yes, the lifter rod should be a single piece. It is a common issue in the CB500s—I'm not sure the cause, but I've read a loose chain can do it. Not sure how that'd work.

The pushrod is real close to the front drive sprocket so too much slack in the chain can allow the chain to smack the pushrod, it can also play hell with the clutch pushrod actuator as well. I had a 500 with both a broken pushrod and broken actuator, finding another actuator was the hard part for me but I made my own pushrod using 2 pushrods from spare parts I had from a Pontiac V8 which just happened to be the right diameter. It took 2 of them cut and spliced together to get the length I needed and it worked perfectly. This was possible only because I have my own welder and lathe.