1955 A10 Golden Flash 650cc - swinging arm model - clutch problem

[KiwiGF]

Hi kiwigf, if you need one I'll send it  it'no use to me just a piece of junk, cheers
...How are you and your after the quake Wellington got hammered

That's very kind kiwipom, I'll have a look at what I've got as it's a while since I mocked the clutch up, I do remember thinking the parts were so knackered and mismatched it would never work!

We certainly felt the quake in Masterton....it lasted well over a minute and gave the house a really good shake, I see my old workplace in Wellington (BNZ building) has been in the news for getting badly earthquake damaged again.....embarrassing for such a new building.

[BrianS]

I got around (at last) to stripping out the rest of the clutch this morning. The studs had clearly been replaced as shown by the brazing.

Although there was no obvious damage to the bearings I have taken  advice and ordered the modified item from Draganfly.

[BrianS]

I travelled down to Ivybridge to pick up a used clutch centre from Steve Burch but, when cleaned up, it isn't fit for purpose sadly 

The reinforcing ring is broken in a number of places plus the studs are loose and spin freely which would cause problems in tightening up the spring retaining nuts. A previous owner has tried to tighten them up by centre punching but that no longer works. Photos below.

Thank you for the link to the NOS centre but it's too much to spend on a clutch that will probably be replaced as a whole at some point in the future.

I am therefore taking a chance on the one from an eBayer in India. I will let you know how I get on - just got to be patient.

Brian

[BrianS]

Draganfly and Feked don't have the pucca spring retaining half nuts in stock so I have ordered these from eBay - bit late to ask but will they be "right"?  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111472480485

Brian

[Klaus]

Draganfly and Feked don't have the pucca spring retaining half nuts in stock so I have ordered these from eBay - bit late to ask but will they be "right"?  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111472480485

Brian

1/4 BSF I'm in doubt, but I think its 1/4 BSW

[chaterlea25]

Hi Brian,
1/4 BSF is correct,
lets hope the Indian one is as original 

John

[BrianS]

Nuts arrived and they are the correct thread - phew 

[BrianS]

OK - can't say I wasn't warned!  The clutch centre from India turned up and it seems to have shrunk on the voyage 

See photos below.

I have put the clutch back together so I can use the bike with the best of the genuine centres but am not happy 

It was advertised as NEW BSA CLUTCH CENTRE 6 SPRING 5 PLATE M20 M21 B30 B31 B33 B34 A7 A10 66-3903  but could it be that one of these models use a shallower centre?

Brian

[muskrat]

G'day Brian.
 The part # quoted is correct for A7/10. I can't say what model the one you got fits (might be a 3 plate job). Did you get it from rsvintageparts? 9 available 1 sold, looks like your the 1. Contact the seller, then leave a bad review so others are warned. Would cost more to return than what it's worth so hang it on the wall as a reminder of Indian parts.
http://www.degroot-bsa.nl/index.php?route=product/product&path=75_93&product_id=3986
Cheers

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
There's an in depth thread on the rebuild of a 6 spring clutch with a view to getting the best out of one on the Britbike forum,
It is written by a gent I know well, and him being a professor of physics shows in the writing
The inner drum  (centre ) reinforcing ring  on the clutch has  more or less triangular shaped extensions spot welded to the "tongues" that hold the plates
I do not remember coming across this before, but then again, my aim when I come across a 6 spring is see how far away I can throw it 

http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=674773#Post674773

John

[Scott and Jay]

Hi Brian,

I had to get a replacement clutch centre too - for my 1958 GF. I have kept trying to make the most of my 6-spring clutch (can't afford an upgrade).  The bolts were loose in my original and one pulled out. The only one I could find was sold by British Spares Austria but it looks like it might have been from the same source as yours. I found it a bit shallower but all the plates fitted in. The nuts seemed a bit looser on the built-in bolt threads but still screw up. The threads on these bolts didn't go down as far. I found I couldn't get it tight enough to avoid slipping without putting a couple of washers under all the adjusting nuts. Having done this though and adjusting with a dial guage - it has stayed working good for a few thou miles now. I put the lock nuts on and it all stayed put.

[Bsareg]

Same basic dimension clutch is fitted to the c11 but with only room for two plates, so presumably BSA used the same clutch design with varyng depths across their range

[BrianS]

Did you get it from rsvintageparts?

Yep - that's the seller!  Will be doing as you suggest.

Brian

[BrianS]

I am even more disappointed now having read Magnetoman's interesting blog on the 6-plate clutch.  I had also bought the Draganfly "improved" bearing kit and inner race only to see that it is likely to shred itself in a short period of time 

Also I only have the clutch parts that were on the A10 when I bought it so I don't have the luxury of a parts bin of clutch parts to rummage through to find matching springs, etc.

I can see an SRM clutch kit looming on the horizon rather than spend more time and money trying to resolve issues with my existing set up. Presumably the kit does away with the need for this bearing?

However, as always, thank you for the great feedback and info from forum members 

The oil leak which initially prompted me to take off the clutch cover plate in the first place seems to have less significance now!

Brian

PS I have only had one decent run on the bike since I bought it and, whilst realising that a degree of fettling is always going to be required, I would rather the balance of my time be spent in favour of riding than fettling.

[BSA_54A10]

You are embarrasesd, I was one of the people who advised him to do it 
Fortunately he is not one prone to physical violence  but I know who will be paying for the beers when he comes down under next time.

Now as for the 6 spring' It comes in 2 diameters and 2 heights in both diameters.
M20's and B31's had the thinner version and C series had the smaller diameter .
SO you have a single clutch.
You can do the right thing by giving them negative feedback and informing them they sent you the wrong part.

Good news is you can fit the full compliment of plates if you use shorter springs ( 4 spring clutch )