a couple of clutch questions

[mikethebrush]

I decided to remove my kickstart lever in case I give into the temptation to kick it to see if the motor has siezed, I noticed the shaft didnt move

so i stripped off the primary cover to check the clutch and a bearing was laid loose in the bottom , so ive removed the clutch

before I removed the clutch I took off the primary chain and checked the kick start and the shaft still didnt move, took the clutch off and the kickstart works fine

the centre nut wasnt very tight and theres a light scoring on the inside of the case,I fitted a four spring clutch when I was a lad and obviously didnt tighten it properly

im going to fit new plates to the clutch but  want to sort the problem out before I move on to the next job, so my questions are


does anyone know the correct length of a clutch pushrod for the 4 spring triumph clutch in a std gearbox

I was going to stick the bearings back with grease and then stopped, if I do this will the grease find its way onto the clutch plates, if so whats thecorrect procedure

my chain and sprockets are in good conditon how do I lubricate them

[MikeN]

The grease wont hurt the clutch plates.The whole assembly including the chain should run in oil. Do you have a manual?
Mike

[mikethebrush]

thanks for the reply mike

no i dont have one yet, ive sent of for the restoration book by roy bacon and a haynes but they havent arrived yet

I did notice a drain plug on the case and there was oil in the casing, so if grease wont hurt the plates I will use grease for the bearings and get the clutch set up again

I know it will have to come off again to remove the gearbox but I want to keep everything together as much as possible

[brackenfel]

Hi Mike,
I'm not saying mine is correct(!) but my '61 Flash has the 4 Spring Clutch / STD gearbox and due to the ongoing nature of the gearbox job (don't ask!!) there are bits scattered about the place everywhere..
Have located the clutch rod and taking the 1999 "Coast to Coast Run " souvenir tape measure found recently I headed to the garage only to find that it measures in METRIC !!!

So apologies for the lack of "proper" measurement but mine is approx 105mm long...

Hope this helps,

PS a dab of grease is the "approved" way of keeping the rollers in place when re-assembling the clutch..

Adrian

[MikeN]

PS a dab of grease is the "approved" way of keeping the rollers in place when re-assembling the clutch..
Adrian

I heard of someone who had a clutch problem on a campsite field  who, lacking any grease used butter !!
MN

[wilko]

Hmmmm... Last Tango In Paris!

[mikethebrush]

thanks Adrian

metric is fine, im a cabinet maker by trade so use both imperial and metric

ill check mine tommmorrow, probably needs replacing, I was going to replace the plates as they were soaked in oil but if thats correct ill put it back as it is

ill wait for a manual before I strip anything else , I just wanted to find out what was wrong and im relieved it was something simple at fault-me!

[brackenfel]

Had a thought last night , my post didn't sound right!!
Make that 305mm, damn this metric stuff !! 

Apologies...

Adrian

[mikethebrush]

no need to apologise Adrian

I was one step aheaad of you and thought you meant meant 300 not 100

its  the 05 that matters and I shall have to send off for a replacement

thanks for your advice

mike

[bsa-bill]

Mike there is an old dodge ( dodge = several grades higher than a bodge ), you cut the pushrod somewhere around the middle of it's length and put in a suitable sized ball bearing, this gives the pushrod a degree of flex instead of a straight push ( which is beneficial), if the ball bearing happened to be equal to the amount your pushrod is short it would also solve your problem or allow you to cut your pushrod to the right length.
You do need to harden the cut ends of the pushrod by heating and quenching, not to difficult if you have a gas torch of some kind.

all the best - Bill

[BSA_54A10]

Old clutch rollers will do the same thing only better & some of my bikes had 4 or more in there.

[bsa-bill]

Hadn't heard that one before Trevor, but sounds good

[mikethebrush]

thanks Bill and 54a10

I seem to remember this being a problem with an ever shortening push rod, something I had difficulty with is getting the adjustable bit in the gearbox end to present square on the end of the rod and still have enough movement to actuate the clutch, if that makes sense

this pushrod is homemade as I was having difficulty obtaining replacements locally i think I must of got it right by trial and error as the set up looks right to me now ive put it all back together and it works

this improvement sounds good and im going to give it a go when the time comes

thanks

mike

[mikethebrush]

the clutch is back in and working, I left the chain off as I dont want to kick the engine untill I have looked at it and replaced any corroded parts

I didnt have any butter so I used.......... I cant believe its I cant believe its not butter with a new buttery  taste

not really, I dobbed them in place with grease

im going out now to strip it out again and box the parts as I want to whip the engine and g/box out but I will wait till the manual arrives

ive added clutch plates and push rod to my shopping list, im going to add bearings so I have some spares to use in the push rod

thanks for all your help

mike

[LJ.]

I have used grease in the primary chain case but soon found it will eventually 'fling' especially if there is too much, and makes a terrible mess, it surely must get in amongst the plates at some stage... Oil has to be best and was recommended by BSA. I've not had any problems since using a 20/50 only.