I am having problems assembling the clutch on my 1959 Model 50. I am using the original plain plates and new friction plates from RGM Norton. Having inserted the plates in sequence I find that there is not enough room to add the last friction plate such that the external lugs engage with the clutch chain wheel (basket). There are five new friction plates.
I have also fitted new cork inserts to the clutch chain wheel. These, plus the new friction plates together seem to form a clutch too deep to fit in the clutch chain wheel.
When purchasing corks & friction plates is there an option on thickness, or is it standard ? Have I got too many friction plates at five ? Will it function with four ?
Further, the clutch centre has a groove in it and the exploded view of the clutch in the manual shows what could be a circlip fitted in this groove to retain the plates. This wasn't present on the clutch when I took it apart and it doesn't seem to be available as a spare in any of the normal outlets. Is it a necessity ? Can I buy one ?
Mike Haworth
Mike, The Wideline M50 (AM…
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Previously Pete McDermott…
Previously Pete McDermott wrote:
Mike,
The Wideline M50 (AMC) clutch had one less friction and one less plain plate (that is three of each) than the equivalent ES2 and twins. These in addition to a common end plate for all types with just friction pads on one side. To make up the difference in stack height the M50 has a thicker pressure plate.
I changed my M50 clutch to the ES2/Twin formatwhen I experienced clutch slip.
I think the large circlip that you mention relates to pre 1956 clutches, I suspect you may have an earlier clutch fitted to your bike.
Images below show both types.
Hope this helps,
Pete
Thanks Pete. As I have the groove where a circlip should fit, is it essential to use it ? I'm assuming not as the clutch was functioning without it before I stripped it down.
Regards,
Mike
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My '55 ES2 has a groove b…
My '55 ES2 has a groove but no retaining clip. Doesn't seem to make a difference. I suppose there's a risk that - with a lot of clutch lift - the end plate could slip off but it has happened - yet! George
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I have one bike with groov…
I have one bike with groove and a wire ring circlip, and one with a groove and no ring. I wonder if the clip was really included just for convenience in the factory - so plates don't fall all over the floor when someone pulls a complete clutch out of a box!
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Mike,
The Wideline M50 (AMC) clutch had one less friction and one less plain plate (that is three of each) than the equivalent ES2 and twins. These in addition to a common end plate for all types with just friction pads on one side. To make up the difference in stack height the M50 has a thicker pressure plate.
I changed my M50 clutch to the ES2/Twin formatwhen I experienced clutch slip.
I think the large circlip that you mention relates to pre 1956 clutches, I suspect you may have an earlier clutch fitted to your bike.
Images below show both types.
Hope this helps,
Pete
Attachments
1956.jpg
1959.jpg