Clutch suddenly won't disengage

T

teeejer

New Member
So I was riding last night and my clutch cable suddenly had an extra few inches of slack as if it broke. I messed with the adjusters until it was tight again but the clutch wouldn't disengage. When I got home I took off the sprocket cover and it seemed like everything was intact. Any ideas what might have happened?

I haven't pulled apart the clutch yet.

Thanks!
 
Pull out the shift rod and see if you may have bent it. It's the thin straight rod that goes through from the sprocket side.
 
Ok The shift rod is straight.

I think the problem may be something internal with the actuator assembly. I don't have a working one to compare with but if I tighten the adjuster screw enough the clutch will disengage but no amount of adjustment will make the clutch lever have any effect.

Nothing was obviously broken with the assembly but it had a lot of grease on it and I'm not totally sure what it looked like when it worked. I'll try to take it apart again tonight...
 
I have a 76 CB360t, and I've had that happen a couple of times to me. Same deal... everything looks just fine internally. Seems to me, it occurred more often the tighter the cable is adjusted. Now I leave it adjusted to where there is closer to 10-15mm of free-play at the end of the clutch lever. Seems if I leave this free-play in there, the problem doesn't come back.

If you do manage to find an *actual* cause and solid fix for this, let me know. Otherwise, try loosening up the cable a bit and see if it works for you as well.

James
 
I had the same thing happen to me on my CB350. (I'm only assuming that you have similar adjuster as I do.) The three balls on my adjuster weren't seating into the detents (because I didn't know what I was doing.) Once I read how to do it, it all made sense. Just remember, adjust the cable at the cover first and then the perch.
 
It's real common when adjusted 'almost' right
The ramps go 'over center' if too tight or, if screw adjuster in cover isn't adjusted properly you don't have enough movement to 'lift' clutch.
How far out are cable adjusters on case and handlebar lever?
Do a search for CB360 clutch adjust, it's been covered multiple times
 
Thanks for all the replies. Yeah it seems like this issue was just the cover adjuster rattling loose. It's funny I got it working again, went for a decent-length ride and while sitting in the driveway after the ride it popped out again. At least I have a fairly clear understanding of the problem now. I probably just won't ride for a while without a wrench and a flathead in my pocket.

It's interesting that the nut on the adjuster has to be tight in order to keep the whole assembly straight. Seems like a lot of work for the little nut to do.

Thanks again.
 
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