CB500 Clutch

[michael_brown]

I know it's a dead horse. We've all heard it before. A CB500 with clutch issues. That being said, mine is slipping hard in 5th. Well, I think it's slipping. In 5th gear only it does this hard hesitation/fish biting. No other gear is this felt. In first, I'm more than certain it's slipping. Just feels like it's not engaging completely. If I move the adjustment toward the harder side(clutch feel) then I can't change gears. Clutch discs look ok, not great. I did replace the clutch rod with used one from ebay. Any other thoughts on this? When it's jerking, if I shift to 4th it goes away.

Anyone have a site that offers a clutch kit for this bike in the US? I'd be happy with a kit that had springs a discs.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Just a thought, and to be honest I haven't pulled the clutch on my cb500 yet so I am unsure if these even have what I'm referring to later in this post....did you check to make sure the pressure plates were in correctly. I've had two bikes recently give me clutch hell until I opened them up and found the previous owner put either the pressure plates in backwards, or put some in right, and the others backwards. There is a "flat" side to them, and a rounded side. Very small detail, but the little teeth actually are bent VERY slightly in a direction. Make sure they are all pointing AWAY from the engine side (aka away from the bike). Might be your problem. Good luck sir.

 

[teazer]

Stop. That sounds like the dogs on 5th gear rounded off and it's jumping in and out of gear. The problem may be a bent or worn shift fork but more likely that the two matching gears need to be repaired or replaced. Take care of that before it gets worse.

Bad news: motor has to come out
Good news: riding season will be over soon for most of us so it's wrench season soon.

 

[bradj]

Plus 50 Ive replaced several trans sets on my old 500 then i finally gave up and swaped a 550 bottom end and the problem vanished your pissing in the wind man over the winter get a newer 550 lump it bolts right in

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

I love this place. You guys rock! Love the knowledge on here! 8) Now I need to start looking for a 550 engine too eh? I thought the cb500 problems were in the later years.

 

[Reinhard]

The early 500s had the clutch problems. Honda issued an upgrade kit that consisted of shift drum limit assemblies and clutch plates- but you'll never find one. I have owned three cb500s, one of which had the upgrade, the other two didn't. The difference was night and day. The other two bikes I just replaced the friction plates and springs with heavy duty ones which dramatically improved performance and havent had any problems. Before that I would routinely snap lift rods. If your engine number is 500E-1018728 or LATER the upgrades have already been made and your problem may lie elsewhere. The biggest thing about the clutch/tranny on the 500s is vigilant maintenance.