Topic: CB750 K4 Build - The Cafe Tracer

[budman]

The Harley cables witj the loop end up top, should last forever..

Yep, that's what I'm using.  Dang near bullet proof.

[budman]

I need a little help/advice.  I've been working on the clutch and maybe I'm not understanding something right.  I've assembled the clutch and got the cable adjusted.  The lever that's on the part of the disengagement mechanism that's mounted on the clutch cover is working properly when I squeeze the clutch lever on the handlebars.  I can see the shaft move inwards, which I'm pretty sure is making the clutch lifter plate move, disengaging the clutch.  But when I squeeze the lever at the handlebars when the engine is in gear I'm not able to spin the sprocket on the engine by hand in any gear.  The sprocket should spin freely when in gear with the clutch disengaged, correct?  Say I wanted to push start the bike...put it in gear, pull the clutch in, push the bike, pop the clutch and it starts.  But the way it's acting now it doesn't seem like I would be able to do that.  Maybe it takes more leverage to turn the sprocket by hand when in gear and the clutch disengaged?  I've assembled and disassembled the clutch at least a dozen times using parts from two engines.  The clutch is a new Barnett clutch.  I tried the old stock springs.  It's as if the clutch is not disengaging, but I'm 99% sure it is.  The engine shifts smoothly in all gears.  Maybe I'm just not understanding.

[Medyo Bastos]

Is this a stock, or aftermarket lever? Some aftermarket levers do not have enough travel. BLAHHHHH, just read earlier posts...

How longs it been since this motor has run? Can you shift gears if you rock the bike back and forth?

The clutch pack may be stuck. I can tell you how to break it loose if you find this is your problem


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[budman]

Is this a stock, or aftermarket lever? Some aftermarket levers do not have enough travel. BLAHHHHH, just read earlier posts...

How longs it been since this motor has run? Can you shift gears if you rock the bike back and forth?

The clutch pack may be stuck. I can tell you how to break it loose if you find this is your problem


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The plan is to use an aftermarket lever, but I thought I wasn't getting enough travel so I've been working with a stock lever and have the same problem, or perceived problem, with both levers.

I rebuilt the engine and it hasn't been run yet.  The clutch is new and was soaked in oil.  I don't think it's stuck.  The clutch pack disengages easily without the lifter plate and springs installed, meaning I can pull or push on the rear basket from the four female threaded posts.

I don't have a chain on the bike yet, so rocking it back and forth wouldn't help right now.  All I can do is grab the sprocket on the engine and try to move it that way.

[budman]

I might add that without the clutch pack installed the clutch shaft will spin when in gear and I rotate the sprocket, which indicates to me that the tranny is put together correctly.  I think that when the clutch is installed and the clutch pack is disengaging the fibers and steels (even though they are oiled up) are sticking together via suction or something.

[Medyo Bastos]

I might add that without the clutch pack installed the clutch shaft will spin when in gear and I rotate the sprocket, which indicates to me that the tranny is put together correctly.  I think that when the clutch is installed and the clutch pack is disengaging the fibers and steels (even though they are oiled up) are sticking together via suction or something.

correct, they do stick sometimes.  put a chain on it and see if you can rock it back and forth and shift through all gears.  if you can, start the bike up in 1st gear without pulling the lever in.  just hang on, the bike will roll as you turn the key.  ride it a bit, they will free up.

[budman]

I might add that without the clutch pack installed the clutch shaft will spin when in gear and I rotate the sprocket, which indicates to me that the tranny is put together correctly.  I think that when the clutch is installed and the clutch pack is disengaging the fibers and steels (even though they are oiled up) are sticking together via suction or something.

correct, they do stick sometimes.  put a chain on it and see if you can rock it back and forth and shift through all gears.  if you can, start the bike up in 1st gear without pulling the lever in.  just hang on, the bike will roll as you turn the key.  ride it a bit, they will free up.

Thanks for the advice.  I still have some things to do before it's ready to start.  Still need an exhaust and I have to rebuild the carbs.  I'm going to tie down the clutch lever and see if I can rock the sprocket with some leverage.

[budman]

Look like I'm going to have to get some different shocks

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bud,
What shocks are those?

[budman]

Bud,
What shocks are those?

YSS.  I bought them two years ago.  I thought I might have problems with them.  I don't think YSS has any US Distributors anymore and I can't find this shock on their website.

[markreimer]

Bummer. I put a YSS shock on a BMW airhead I had a couple years back. After less than 100 miles the rubber bushing in the mounting eyelette disintegrated. I was on a tour no less, and had to jerry rig a temp fix while they overnighted a new one to me....which promptly failed the same day. The shop I bought it from gave me a deal on a new Wilbers shock and told me to throw the YSS off a cliff.

.....So maybe you dodged a bullet there?

[budman]

Bummer. I put a YSS shock on a BMW airhead I had a couple years back. After less than 100 miles the rubber bushing in the mounting eyelette disintegrated. I was on a tour no less, and had to jerry rig a temp fix while they overnighted a new one to me....which promptly failed the same day. The shop I bought it from gave me a deal on a new Wilbers shock and told me to throw the YSS off a cliff.

.....So maybe you dodged a bullet there?

Well, that ain't no good.  Sorry to hear that.

I paid a pretty good chunk of change for these shocks.  They don't even have 1 mile on them, but since I've had them for two years it's doubtful I can get my money back.  The seller doesn't even carry YSS anymore.

These were obviously engineered upside down.  I thought I might have trouble with the sprocket plate hitting the spring perch with the wheel all the way in the forward position, and I was prepared to take a little off the O.D. of the sprocket plate.  But until I actually tried to install a chain I wouldn't know.  Well, it took me two years to put a chain on the bike and it never occurred to me in all that time that the chain might actually rub up against the spring.

I'll probably write to the seller and see if there's anything they can do.  Can't hurt.  In the mean time I've got new shocks headed this way.

[calj737]

Hey Bud, what are the specs on those? I may have an application for them on one of my bikes and be willing to buy them from you.

[budman]

Hey Bud, what are the specs on those? I may have an application for them on one of my bikes and be willing to buy them from you.

All I have is this from when I ordered them:  YSS E-302 330mm Eye/Clevis Twin Shocks 69-80 CB750 (MM-E-302-330EC-CB750)  If there's a specific dimension your wanting to know I can measure it.  They might work on a bike that utilizes a small rear sprocket.

I paid almost $300 for them.  I just wrote to the retailer who I bought them from, whom it appears no longer carries YSS products.

[calj737]

I'd take them, but at 13", they're too short for my use. Sorry, Dude. I mean, Bud. 

[budman]

I'd take them, but at 13", they're too short for my use. Sorry, Dude. I mean, Bud. 

No problem.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

A buddy had these on his CB400F. Not very good.  The back end was pogoing.

[budman]

One of the last pieces of the puzzle.  Hope it fits.

[Stev-o]

Sorry to hear about the shocks, Bud.  Consider Ikons, member Nobelhops is now the U.S distributor.

What exhaust?

[Davez134]

Looks like the yoshi replica from Yamiya

[budman]

Sorry to hear about the shocks, Bud.  Consider Ikons, member Nobelhops is now the U.S distributor.

What exhaust?

I've got some shocks coming.  I had to compromise a little due to finances.  If they turn out to be junk I'll look at upgrading to Ikons.

The exhaust is a Yamiya as Dave stated.

[budman]

I'm really impressed with the chrome job.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I love the smooth bends of that Yamiya Yosh replica.

[budman]

I love the smooth bends of that Yamiya Yosh replica.

Me too.  Kind of funky looking, but I think it will go with my build.

[Stev-o]

I love the smooth bends of that Yamiya Yosh replica.

+1...first thing that came to mind when I saw it. Cant wait to hear it, Bud.