Topic: 78 cb 550 clutch help please

[cb550yo]

i got a 78 cb 550 and the clutch cable was broke so i tried to pull up on the lever by hand and it would only move about a quarter of an inch, and it didnt seem to be disengaging so i kept pulling up and it came all the way up and wont go down now, what do i do? and what could be the problem? im new at bikes

[Bill Vaughan]

With a working cable, the normal lever travel (at the cable connection point) is only about 1/2" or so.  Sounds like you may have forced it beyond that.  I'd suggest that you drain the oil, remove the cover and take a look at the mechanism.

If the bike sat unused for a period of time, it's very possible that the clutch plates are stuck together (common problem). 

[cb550yo]

well, it wasnt disengaging thats why i pulled it so hard, and i didnt know it at the time but it had almost no oil in it, could that have anything to do with it not disengaging?

[Bill Vaughan]

The clutch is a mechanical type (as opposed to hydraulic), so the oil level wouldn't be particularly meaningful.  That's not to say, however, that running the engine with a low oil level couldn't have damaged the plates.

There are several methods that can be used to break loose a stuck clutch, but since you need to remove the cover to repair the mechanism, you're best off addressing the clutch plates at that time.

Keep in mind that a released clutch is not the same as having the bike in neutral.  You'll still feel a good amount of resistance at the back wheel.

[bryanj]

You have forced the lever over its max travel point and will have to remove the cover to get it back due to the shape of the cam inside. Probably a good idea to remove the clutch plates and separate them and rebuild carefull looking at all the pictures you took when dissasembling it!!!! You need a NEW clutch cover gasket