Hi, I am wondering if I can appeal to the forum expertise with a quick question regarding the location of circlips and spacers on the gearbox mainshaft on my 1973 750 Commando.
I bought the bike from a friend after he had completed an extensive restoration. He fitted a belt drive conversion and, unfortunately, after 20 miles the clutch push rod adjuster came loose from the clutch center and was ingested into the belt and pulleys. Both pulleys were toast, as was the belt and the new Alton stator....
In fitting the new belt drive clutch basket I see that I have a thick washer and two thinner shims sitting on top of a circlip on the gearbox main shaft. The circlip is not supported from the underside.
I realize that the shims and washer are there to correctly space the location of the clutch basket, relative to the front pulley but am concerned that the 70+ ft/lbs of torque on the clutch basket center nut is going to be applied to the rather insubstantial looking circlip, on the mainshaft.....
Is this correct? I would have thought that the circlip should have been supported from the underside before this amount of torque is applied? If someone can let me know whether this assembly is correct or in error I would be very appreciative.
Photos show the washer and shims, and the aftermath of the clutch pushrod adjuster bolt coming free.
Many thanks.
Indeed there are warnings…
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I've always thought
that the circlip is woefully feeble given the work it has to do. The method used on previous models of the clutch locating on the end of the splines seems far better to me (although can be tricky to remove....)
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Many thanks guys for the…
Many thanks guys for the advice.
It just struck me that the circlip was a rather sketchy mechanical solution, so it's great to be able to confirm that this is indeed the correct way of assembling the clutch basket.
I will make sure everything is in great shape, use blue locktite and will probably not go to 70 ft/lbs with the gearbox main shaft torque...
Thanks again for the advice and comments.
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Indeed there are warnings from several sources regarding the ability of the circlip to stand up to 70 ft lbs - Old Brits site recommends using threadlocker and 35 - 40 ft lbs . Always use new circlip when re torquing. I did mine to 60 but didn’t dare go further.