Hey all...I took my 350 out for a ride last weekend for about a 3 hour ride...cruising at 60-65mph for most of the ride. The bike performed well with no problems. Get on it today for a ride and the clutch is slipping pretty bad at low to mid rpm range. Did all the proper adjustments to the cable...still slipping. I am guessing time for new plates? I had checked them once before and the seemed to be fine...no glazing etc. I'm guessing when I went on that ride maybe the plates got worn down? Is there anything I can try before I split the case and replace the plates? Something I am not considering? Thanks for the help!
CB350 clutch slipping!!!
- Thread starter mwm1977
- Start date
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
Silly, you don't need to split the case to get to the discs 
Anyway, to be certain it is indeed slipping:
Set your clutch cable tension at three points:
Start by setting the lever adjustment half way in. Then, screw the adjustment on top of the crankcase in just about all the way. Now work on the clutch throw-out adjustment, which is the bolt on the left crankcase cover with the lock-nut.
To do this, turn it one way and the other until you just feel it lightly seat against the throw-out rod. Lightly, I says. Then lock it down.
Next tighten the adjustment on the crankcase until your lever can engage the clutch. You should have about 13-14mm play at the end of your clutch lever before you feel a solid resistance. If you feel like you're almost there and the crankcase cable adjustment is nearly all of the way out, start tightening the adjustment at your lever. Remember to tighten all locking nuts with all of these adjustments.
Now it's time to see if we're engaging and slipping.
Got a center stand? Good, I respect that.
Put the bike on the stand and the rear wheel should spin pretty freely in neutral. Now start the bike and while holding the clutch, put it in first gear. Keep the clutch lever pulled in the entire time! The back wheel might begin to spin.
If the wheel does not spin, we're done with that part.
If the wheel begins to spin, hit the back brake. Does the engine RPM change at ALL? Ok now release the brake, does the wheel begin to spin again without giving it any throttle? If it does, your clutch plates may be sticking a bit or the throwout/cable is loose and it's not disengaging.
OK, now that these check out, your clutch adjustment is not too loose.
Is it slipping?
Take it off the stand and practice rolling the throttle to about 1,500-2,000 RPM and let the clutch out slowly to feel exactly when the clutch begins to engage. Keep the bike from rolling by resisting with your feet. Do this several times until you know exactly when to expect it to move.
Now grip that front brake like you don't want the bike to go anywhere. Does the engine stall as soon as it reaches that point that it engages that we practiced? If it doesn't hesitate and stall at this point, sounds like it's slipping...
Anyway, to be certain it is indeed slipping:
Set your clutch cable tension at three points:
Start by setting the lever adjustment half way in. Then, screw the adjustment on top of the crankcase in just about all the way. Now work on the clutch throw-out adjustment, which is the bolt on the left crankcase cover with the lock-nut.
To do this, turn it one way and the other until you just feel it lightly seat against the throw-out rod. Lightly, I says. Then lock it down.
Next tighten the adjustment on the crankcase until your lever can engage the clutch. You should have about 13-14mm play at the end of your clutch lever before you feel a solid resistance. If you feel like you're almost there and the crankcase cable adjustment is nearly all of the way out, start tightening the adjustment at your lever. Remember to tighten all locking nuts with all of these adjustments.
Now it's time to see if we're engaging and slipping.
Got a center stand? Good, I respect that.
Put the bike on the stand and the rear wheel should spin pretty freely in neutral. Now start the bike and while holding the clutch, put it in first gear. Keep the clutch lever pulled in the entire time! The back wheel might begin to spin.
If the wheel does not spin, we're done with that part.
If the wheel begins to spin, hit the back brake. Does the engine RPM change at ALL? Ok now release the brake, does the wheel begin to spin again without giving it any throttle? If it does, your clutch plates may be sticking a bit or the throwout/cable is loose and it's not disengaging.
OK, now that these check out, your clutch adjustment is not too loose.
Is it slipping?
Take it off the stand and practice rolling the throttle to about 1,500-2,000 RPM and let the clutch out slowly to feel exactly when the clutch begins to engage. Keep the bike from rolling by resisting with your feet. Do this several times until you know exactly when to expect it to move.
Now grip that front brake like you don't want the bike to go anywhere. Does the engine stall as soon as it reaches that point that it engages that we practiced? If it doesn't hesitate and stall at this point, sounds like it's slipping...
