HELP!! clutch release problems!

rawfish

rawfish

Coast to Coast
:mad:I cant seem to figure it out. When ever I put it in gear, it lunges forward. The clutch lever is really stiff when I engage it. I've taken the clutch apart and the only thing I seem to notice is that the shift rod could be short. Any ideas?
 
It appears not to be fully disengaging when you pull the clutch lever...
Not to ask a dumb question, (also, I dont want to assume that the TV is infact plugged in or that the batteries in the remote are not dead.. ;D), is the cable adjusted properly?
Also check that the spring mechanism in the clutch cover is clean and moving properly...(Ive also had that problem before...)
 
I adjusted, re-adjusted and adjusted the cable a few times. I'll have to adjust again! Man, this is all I need to do to get the bike on the road again.

BTW my TV works fine. :D
 
rawfish said:
I adjusted, re-adjusted and adjusted the cable a few times. I'll have to adjust again! Man, this is all I need to do to get the bike on the road again.

BTW my TV works fine. :D
Click to expand...

Hmmm... Hows the spring mechanism inside the clutch cover? it is moving all the way up, with nothing impeding it when you have pull the clutch lever?..Is the bearing that puches the clutch in place?..

(I've called Panasonic TEch support once becuase the freaking converter on my parents new TV wasnt working...and lets not even go there...LOL!!)
[youtube=425,350]x4dPpQhZn7A&feature[/youtube]
 
;D ;D I checked for skuzzy devices and it still doesn't work! I'll have to check the bearings, hope that's it.
 
I'll make the the assumption,that the bike your working on is the same as the picture posted?? when you removed the right cover ,did the ball bearing fall out of the the clutch mechanism,this rides against the push rod,has the adjustment been done using the screw and lock nut on the outside of the case.This has to be done before any cable adjustments,also have you examined your clutch drum for signs of notching? this will prevent the plates from moving on the drum.Your ctutch lever should work with 2 strong fingers,,lube the cable and check it for kinks :eek: good luck
 
How about this theory: since you've installed clubmans the clutch lever is now closer to the clutch therefore the cable is now longer than necessary. That extra cable is going to cause more friction and will make the lever harder to pull. Try this experiment, undo the handlebar clamps and release the handlebar. Pull the bar away from the clutch until the cable is straight. Try the lever now and see if it's easier to pull.
 
Verify the plates are not sticking together. I had this exact same problem and it turned out it was that the basket wasn't releasing and the bike literally was stuck in gear. Unfortunately the only way to verify the operation is to take the cover off. I've had this happen twice, turns out it was the garbage oil I was using. That is of course, if all the other functions check out. And naturally, check everything you can on the outside of the machine before having to pull the side cover off...

Steve
 
Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. I'll work on it when the weather warms up :( Yesterday was in the 70's and today it's in the 20's ???..........
Can a shorter clutch rod be the problem, too?
 
Pull your cable off and make sure that its not sticking and works freely. I've bought a lot of bikes that, according to the PO " needs a new clutch" that only needed a new clutch cable.
DG
 
I remember this being a nightmare on my CL350 as well. The clutch puller is a simple mechanism, but very fiddly. The difference between working and not working is slim. From memory, I put the bike into gear without the motor running. I walked it back in forth whilst a friend adjusted the cable on the motor side. After making tons of adjustments, the bike could eventually be rolled while in gear WITH the clutch lever pulled.

DrJ brings up a good point. If none of the above works, you might have to get the cables shortened.

--Chris
 
chrisf said:
I remember this being a nightmare on my CL350 as well. The clutch puller is a simple mechanism, but very fiddly. The difference between working and not working is slim. From memory, I put the bike into gear without the motor running. I walked it back in forth whilst a friend adjusted the cable on the motor side. After making tons of adjustments, the bike could eventually be rolled while in gear WITH the clutch lever pulled.

DrJ brings up a good point. If none of the above works, you might have to get the cables shortened.

--Chris
Click to expand...

I notice that the clutch puller would work with the cover off, but when I put it back on "nothing". :mad: I guess I could try walking it back and forth......
 
Check to see if the push rod is bent. I had the same thing happening on the weekend.

Turns out when I was messing with my rear brake I had the chain slacked right off. At some point I must have rotated the wheel and the excess bunged up under the cover and bent the push rod.

It wont disengage and if I put it in gear it lunges forward and stalls.

Luckily it will come out on the bent side & a buddy spare rods.
 
My push rod was bent, too! I replaced it, but now I'm thinking it could be to short..........Does anyone know the correct clutch rod length for a '73CL350?
 
Stupid question but are you sure you installed the lifter before reinstalling the clutch basket? Without it you would be too short.
 
zixxerboy said:
Stupid question but are you sure you installed the lifter before reinstalling the clutch basket? Without it you would be too short.
Click to expand...

Not a stupid question! ;D But I did forget to put the lifter in once. :-[ It's been in since then.
 
OK 2nd stupid question. Is the ball bearing still inside on the left hand side? Theres a ball bearing in between the push rod and the mechanism in the left hand cover. Again that could make it too short.
 
Yes, the ball bearings are still in the mechanism. :)
So here's what I did. I went to Home Depot and bought rod and cut it alittle longer than my stock one. After installing and adjusting it. Guess what!!!!!!! It disengages the clutch. ;D ;D

My questions are:
1. should I hear the clutch plates rubbing when pushing it?(I'm disengaging the clutch at the same time)
2. If it's in gear and I kick start it, should it move foreward (I'm disengaging the clutch at the same time)
3. can I keep my modified shift rod
 
I just had mine all apart twice because I forgot the adjuster on the clutch side is a left handed thread. Your turning the adjuster to left to "tighten" it correct?

I really can't think of any good reason that you should need a longer rod.
 
1.) Maybe a little, but not really. I don't hear mine.

2.) Uh, nope, if you are pulling on the lever at the same time the kickstart shaft should basically free spin. Without the clutch engaged, it's not acting upon the engine at all. I know this from experience, took me a little while to figure out what was going on, turns out my adjuster was TOO far in.

3.) I really don't see a reason to need it. Unless your old one was broken.

I would really look into checking the adjustment on all the pieces, the screw on the cover, the cable into the cover, and the lever. I have had to do this already once, as things just get outta whack sometimes. And it really only takes a little bit to screw things up, ask me how I know. ;D Did you check the operation of the clutch? I.E. take the cover off and verify things are acting as they should? If not, you really should(heads up, there is oil in there). It helped me out a TON. Takes one part out of the equation, as the first time, it wasn't the mechanism, it was the plates being too friendly with each other...just a thought..

Steve
 
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