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Clutch problems or is it?

Submitted by gary_gibson on Tue, 28/01/2014
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Commando

Hi Guys,

Here is my problem I start the bike click in to first gear release the clutch the bike goes nowhere, pull the clutch rock the bike back and forth a few times release the clutch and the bike moves off.

To me it is pointing to the clutch, the gearbox is working OK. I have had the clutch apart a few times now but seem to get the same result!!!

I know, insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting differentresults (Einstein)

Any ideas

Submitted by keith_glassborow on Tue, 28/01/2014

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The fact that moving the bike back and forwards works suggests the gearbox as its not engaging properly via the gear pedal. An easy check (engine OFF) for the clutch is to put it in 1st or 2nd or any gear and rock it with clutch lever out. It should not move against compression. Pull the lever and see if it moves. Think you'll need to pull the gearbox outer cover and take a look inside. The long spring that keeps the pawl in touch with the selector is a common issue and has to be adjusted just right. The problem may be deeper but that's your starting point. Have a look on the Old Britts site. All is explained there. Check out the gearbox rebuild section for above spring setting....

Submitted by david_evans on Fri, 31/01/2014

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I'm with Keith on this one. Often if a new spring has been fitted to the moon shaped rocker, it needs a bit of subtle bending to ensure the rocker engages with the quadrant every time and in both directions. In addition a new spring may need shortening to prevent it touching the casing, as this again will stop the moon shaped rocker engaging the selector quadrant.

Submitted by gary_gibson on Mon, 03/02/2014

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I have while the bike is on the centre stand put the bike in gear and as you said I have been unable to turn the back wheel. Pull the clutch in and it doe release the back wheel to turn freely.

Once the bike is moving this is not a problem, only once at a traffic light from neutral did the bike not move off and I had to rock it again.

What is strange is I have had the gearbox apart three times and while setting up the beltdrive the clutch came apart quite a few times.

I have tried roughing up the plates, played with the adjustment as in no play more play on the clutch push rod.

I have had a look at the Old Britts site before but the paw looks as they said it should.

Submitted by keith_glassborow on Mon, 03/02/2014

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Gary, its definitely not the clutch, well not the dicky engagement anyway. If the selector pawl spring is as you say just like the Old Britts pictures with only a little rock on the pawl (no more than 1mm between spring and pawl) then it could be excess play in the quadrant and selector so its limited on travel. Usually thats the quad and selector shaft pivot bushes but they have to be very bad. I bet when you have it on the stand, put it in 1st and then rotate the wheel you will hear the selector rotate to the 1st detent and its in gear. If you have a gear indicator fitted to the shaft you will see that rotate to position also.

If its not that then something is binding and it possible the pawl carrier is binding on the stop plate (outer cover) I have seen the main return spring post jam in the stop plate track. The fact that its all OK when moving suggests its just a minor snag. Hope you find the source, you will.

Submitted by gary_gibson on Thu, 06/02/2014

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Thank you, you have given me something to look at.

It will have to wait as the T140 is on the bench needs some TLC as so much time has been spent on the Norton

 


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