With you on both points A10gf . . . . never had clutch trouble, and the current 4-springer is smooth as a baby's whatsit, as good as a modern almost. A part that exudes pure confidence, which is nice. Front brake though is something else. Clonky - I don't like the lug system for holding the backplate against the torque reaction, nor do I like the thin nut for tightening the backplate on the axle - it's fairly feeble even with new (but bedded-in now) linings and a reasonably round drum and as-careful-as-I-could assembly. A very '50s accessory! I know we're many of us spoilt by more modern things that actually stop, but this a true weakness . . . my 6 yrs older AMC twin stops far better (which is more than I can say for some other parts, but there we go). Older Beesas with the 'ole in the fork legs rather than the clamps, and a torque arm instead of a lug, seem IMHO to be a tad better. While we're on, not that fond of the cross-over and cable for the rear either, and keep thinking of making up something better. Saw a mod somewhere (on this forum maybe?) that looked just great.
However, small prices to pay for a machine that I am liking more and more the more I ride it following my reacquaintance with same. 200 lovely cold miles yesterday, not a beat missed, not a drop of oil drunk, not a nasty noise, nothing falling off. Can't beat it - I keep wondering why I even have a Yamaha in the shed, cos you can't drive it without being arrested, and it's not that much fun if you drive it so you don't. Groily
