Author Topic: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!  (Read 3467 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline kwaggs27

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 82
CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« on: April 05, 2010, 06:56:14 PM »
I installed new cables on my cb500 and when I shifted the trans into 1st and pulled the clutch lever the clutch wouldnt release and was dragging the wheel. I adjusted the cable at the lever and at the cover and then tried again and the clutch still wouldnt let go so I tried the clutch adjustment by loosening the lock bolt and turning the adjustment screw clockwise but it wouldnt budge. I took off the cover and unhooked the cable and noticed the adjustment was damaged on the inside so I need to remove it and replace it. How do I remove the adjustment from the cover in order to replace it? How is it held in the cover? I tried to spin it from the inside but it wont budge and now Im frustrated and want to smash it but I need the part to finally get this project running damn it! Any help PLEASE!
1971 CB500

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,517
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2010, 07:40:29 PM »
Its all in the Honda manual. but remove the lockboly and locking piece then the mechanism should go out inwards.

Is the clutch pushrod intact

Is the bearing inside the mechanism

Have you adjusted it as per the book
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2010, 07:46:50 PM »
Not having taken one apart I can't say. However I find that if I can find a microfiche image of it that usually gives me good direction to doing what ever I need to to get it apart. Short of that look over the manual, if you still find you have issues, then try sending HondaMan a PM..

.: Scott :.
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,177
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2010, 02:09:28 AM »
dont loose the little steel ball.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2010, 12:30:24 AM by dave500 »

Offline kwaggs27

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 82
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2010, 02:26:59 AM »
Its all in the Honda manual. but remove the lockboly and locking piece then the mechanism should go out inwards.

Is the clutch pushrod intact

Is the bearing inside the mechanism

Have you adjusted it as per the book
I removed the twisting mechanism with the little metal ball and removed the bracket from around the inside of the adjuster but it still wont budge. I tried to twist it from the inside with a pliars and then again with a screw driver from the outside and it is jammed in there. l think I may need a whole new cover with new adjuster if I cant get this loose.
1971 CB500

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,517
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2010, 04:06:38 AM »
GENTLE tapping may help, it should turn freely in the casing
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline kwaggs27

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 82
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2010, 07:13:05 AM »
GENTLE tapping may help, it should turn freely in the casing
So the adjuster isnt threaded into the cover? So what your saying is it should spin free in the housing? So I can pound the Sh*& out of it after it wont come loose?  JK
1971 CB500

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,517
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2010, 12:11:51 AM »
Not if you want to use it again no but yes it aint threaded
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,177
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2010, 12:28:47 AM »
youve got the locking bolt and fork removed??its corroded then,,try soaking it with wd40 or similar,itll tap out soon enough,maybe,theres a grease point that hasnt been used on your cover for a while,its siezed in there,,patience,,try heating the whole cover in an oven on a low heat,,just hot enough so you cant hold it,,try tapping it then,,the idea is to heat the cover and expand it slightly,leaving the adjuster cooler,and smaller,so not long in the heated oven,count to ten and try again,youll get it out,then wire wheel the hole and the outside of the adjuster,copper grease when it goes back together,,so the next poor guy in thirty years dosent have the same drama!!

Offline kwaggs27

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 82
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2010, 02:40:03 AM »
YES I got the little f'er out without destroying the nicely polished cover! And Honda had a replacement or $24. Should have done a little more research before tearing into that. The clutch wont let go until it gets some oil on the plates so no matter how much I adjusted it still wouldnt let go until the clutch is saturated. Thanks everyone.
1971 CB500

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,177
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2010, 02:45:20 AM »
if the plates wont release,try starting the engine,then if you can,push the bike to get momentum and engage first as you hop on,,then shift through second third and de clutch,then accellerate with the clutch disengaged,this should break it loose,,trying from a standing start will result in clunky stalls,after its hot and been ridden a while do the final clutch adjustment.,mines always sticky cold,i live on a decent hill so ive no trouble.

Offline Frostyboy

  • Retired: Never was an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,227
  • Circa 1951
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2010, 03:39:45 AM »
if the plates wont release,try starting the engine,then if you can,push the bike to get momentum and engage first as you hop on,,then shift through second third and de clutch,then accellerate with the clutch disengaged,this should break it loose,,trying from a standing start will result in clunky stalls,after its hot and been ridden a while do the final clutch adjustment.,mines always sticky cold,i live on a decent hill so ive no trouble.

I've lived with a frozen cold clutch for the 20 yrs I've had my 550. The guy I bought it off used to just give a rev & slam it into gear. It bothered me that I was buying a bike with an about to be broken gearbox. It lived however.
 
What I do prior to trying to start the engine is simply pull in the clutch lever while in neutral, then jumping on the kick starter. 3 kicks is usually enough for the kick start to go free. Then I fire it up, select 1st & off it goes, silky smooth until the next cold start.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators.
We haven't met yet.
[CB550F1]

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,517
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2010, 07:28:36 AM »
Frostyboy, if i would guess i would say you were a Brit rider in a previous existence, thats what used to be in all the Brit handbooks!!
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Frostyboy

  • Retired: Never was an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,227
  • Circa 1951
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2010, 05:07:36 PM »
Frostyboy, if i would guess i would say you were a Brit rider in a previous existence, thats what used to be in all the Brit handbooks!!
You are very close Bryan.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=26499.msg669072#msg669072
« Last Edit: April 07, 2010, 09:29:10 PM by Frostyboy »
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators.
We haven't met yet.
[CB550F1]

Offline smileswithadimple

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 34
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2010, 06:10:15 PM »
Where would I find more info about this sticky clutch symptom?  What do you guys mean when u guys say sticky clutch? I am having clutch problems on my cb550.  It goes in gear but when I clutch in it doesn't fully disengage and the wheel stays driven for a bit before it stops.  Is this it?  TIA!
72 CB500/4

Offline Frostyboy

  • Retired: Never was an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,227
  • Circa 1951
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #15 on: April 12, 2010, 06:49:01 PM »
Where would I find more info about this sticky clutch symptom?  What do you guys mean when u guys say sticky clutch? I am having clutch problems on my cb550.  It goes in gear but when I clutch in it doesn't fully disengage and the wheel stays driven for a bit before it stops.  Is this it?  TIA!

There's lots of references to clutch adjustment procedures within this forum.
Try this one for starters, hope it helps. The adjustment has to be right.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=59314.0
Like I said in my previous post, mine won't release after sitting longer than 12 hours or so. I just live with it cos it frees up just fine once I get it loose.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators.
We haven't met yet.
[CB550F1]

Offline smileswithadimple

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 34
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #16 on: April 12, 2010, 07:14:29 PM »
Just read that thread, I think I'll just try running it and see how it goes.  What do you mean by it free'ing up?  As in after the oil/clutch is warmed up the clutch acts normal?  Engages gear when released and disengages when pulled? TIA
72 CB500/4

Offline Frostyboy

  • Retired: Never was an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,227
  • Circa 1951
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2010, 07:19:42 PM »
Just read that thread, I think I'll just try running it and see how it goes.  What do you mean by it free'ing up?  As in after the oil/clutch is warmed up the clutch acts normal?  Engages gear when released and disengages when pulled? TIA
That's it. A few kicks with clutch lever in & it's all good until next cold start. I think maybe sometime in it's life the wrong oil (?) might've been used. Don't know really, you'd think after numerous oil changes it would be right by now, but I'll worry about it when the clutch finally wears out I guess.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators.
We haven't met yet.
[CB550F1]

Offline smileswithadimple

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 34
Re: CB 500 clutch adjustment removal??? Im going to smash it!
« Reply #18 on: April 13, 2010, 03:37:41 AM »
Do you guys think that x brand synthetic oil would help free it up over x brand of dino oil?? Hahaha j/p guys! Thanks for the help!! I'm just happy my clutch aint broke...
72 CB500/4