Topic: Is there any way to 'loosen' clutch resistance.

[P_Camps]

Hey guys I had a question regarding my 1978 CB550k you may me able to help me out on.

I have put about 700 km's on my bike and the clutch cable snapped off from the clutch lever.  Basically, the 'anchor' that holds the wire into the lever cracked in half and let go of the wire.  I think this might be a problem that might just happen soon again because my clutch resistance is real tough.

Is there any way that resistance can be adjusted?

thanks
P

[Steve_K]

I would think the cable may be in poor shape before it broke.    I would put on the new cable(lubed) and adjust the clutch.  Check routing of the cable with large radius bends.  Lube the lever on the bar too.  If it is still a tough pull, then I would remove the case and grease the lever pivot points in the case.  Some can get sticky and increase the pull.
Steve

[P_Camps]

I should have mentioned that I have replaced the cable and it feels MUCH better but still tough by any standard!

Thanks Steve!

[HondaMan]

The 500's lifter has a habit of wearing a deep groove into it from the many operations. This groove also wears a ridge on the end of it where the rotation stops. You can pull the lifter out of the housing (which is mounted into the engine case), clean it well, and you will see this ridge on the long screw ramp: reach in with a tiny grinder bit and smooth off the ridge. This is what causes the heavy feel near the end of the pull stroke. Clean all the grindings out well, then relube with some first-class grease. You might consider pulling out the sorry little Japanese grease fitting on the case while you're at it, and drill and tap in an American fitting. The old ones often do not let grease in, which causes this whole wear situation.

Of course, there's also those previous owners who never greased it at all... 

[P_Camps]

wow now that is detail!  Thanks Hondaman,  privileged to have you weigh in on my issue.

[P_Camps]

one more thing... now that I look at the workshop manual.

When you say "lifter", you mean the "lifter rod" is that correct?

[TwoTired]

The Cb500's clutch mechanism is different in many ways from the 550's.

The Cb550 has an "over-center" actuator in the clutch cover.  If you do the adjustment at the case wrong, the lever can be quite difficult, as it is not adjusted at the over-center point, but rather on the aggressive ramp before over-center.
The clutch cover is adjusted first, and then cable length is then adjusted for the correct lever position as well an full engagement/disengagement.

Cheers,

[HondaMan]

My apologies: for some reason I mis-read the first post and saw "500" instead of "550". Sorry!