Topic: 1978 cb550 clutch stack height

[K_Kalynuik]

I'm looking for the clutch pack stack height for a 1978 cb 550. Anyone got info on that?

[K_Kalynuik]

Anyone?

[Tews19]

I cant find my tape measure but I actually have 2 complete baskets out.. I will look tomorrow and take a pic for ya

[bwaller]

My clutch is buttoned up but the 77-78 550 clutch basket is a little different with allowance for a larger diameter disc with a wider tang on the outside of the stack. The basket itself is also a little deeper than the other models. This clutch used a double spring loaded plate to supposedly help quiet the clutch at idle.

You probably know all this and all I can do is send this triple pic.

Left is the 77/78 basket with no double plate but an extra disc & plate instead for my race engine.

Center is stock 77/78

Right is older style with Barnett discs

[K_Kalynuik]

I cant find my tape measure but I actually have 2 complete baskets out.. I will look tomorrow and take a pic for ya

That would be fantastic Tews.

My clutch is buttoned up but the 77-78 550 clutch basket is a little different with allowance for a larger diameter disc with a wider tang on the outside of the stack. The basket itself is also a little deeper than the other models. This clutch used a double spring loaded plate to supposedly help quiet the clutch at idle.

You probably know all this and all I can do is send this triple pic.

Left is the 77/78 basket with no double plate but an extra disc & plate instead for my race engine.

Center is stock 77/78

Right is older style with Barnett discs

Brent,
 Thanks for the picture. Its interesting that's for sure. Do you recall what clutch setup your using in your 550s? Are you still running OEM stuff or are you running aftermarket? What brand if you are running aftermarket and do you recall how many plates and frictions it took to achieve the right stack height?

Quick sum up: I am having dragging clutch issues. No amount of adjustment will fix it. Ive tried lining up the dots on the cover and every other position on the cover. nothing helps. Engine and transmission internals have been blue printed and checked for wear and replaced with OEM if there was any wear. Shift forks and drum are in very good shape. I have ruled out almost everything and I am pretty sure its my stack height of my aftermarket clutch plates and frictions that are causing the issue.

[strynboen]

i use also the 550 k3 type vitaut the dobbel damper plate..put instead a ekstra set of normal plates inn ..it must be adjusted a bit but stock parts vork..no mods needet

[bwaller]

I use all stock parts including springs in both Deb's street bike & my race engine. The street clutch uses the double steel plate, the race set-up no double steel but an extra disc ad normal plate. The stock clutch/springs is up to the task of double stock horsepower. I tried Barnett discs in my 750 for a while years ago and found it always dragged some.

I find the 550 adjustment dots are not very exact and instead always adjust to 1/4 turn of freeplay. 

[dave500]

good shots bwaller,ive only use factory plates and springs,i bought some heavy duty springs I could squash easier between my thumb and index finger than the Honda ones,i sent them back.