stiff clutch

[Bryanj]

Sorry Florence, nothing personal, the ones i meant were the ones who go to a parts bin and fit something from another bike.

The design of the clutch operating mechanism does tend to let the clutch slip on takeoff and power changes, my first one did for many thousands of miles and when i took it apart measuring everything all was still in book spec, i have a parts book with hand written notes( from the us ) that says use a different number plate and spring, i think from 450 twin

[florence]

Thanks Bryan, yes, I saw that online about 450 plates.  Nowadays the EBC kit works well.  I have been trying very hard to make it slip  and so far slip is gone, although first gear is quite tall and a bit of slip is required to get moving  on a hill for instance.

[Seabeowner]

500 SB9 8/11/76 (USf ormat) was issued to supposedly reduce friction and wear by changing the material of the adjuster. (the bit with the slot). This seems to be after all the 500s had been produced but presumably as a result of complaints. The design is a carry over from smaller capacity Hondas of the mid 60s and made it's way up via the 450.
It can be smooth but I would not describe it as light. The 550s are light.

[neat street]

Thank you all again for your responces :-) As it seems that some parts are suspisious (cable), and others worn (aduster) I have bitten the bullet and now ordered new springs, the clutch adjuster kit, need to order a new cable just to rule this out as well (recomendations please for cable). I will replace each piece one at a time and test, so hopefully I can help others with a solution should I have one that does not require all parts.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

On my 500 K1 that had standard UK aftermarket bars I bought a new clutch cable of the right length from Wemoto £12 in 2023.

[neat street]

Thanks Ted, now ordered :-)

[neat street]

Hi all, firstly thank you all for your help and support off the now fixed issue :-)

firstly, I replaced the adjuster purchased from CMS, mine was well worn but did not make any difference, so for future reference to others, maybe check some less costly things first. this didd seem  the most logical item to replace for me.

Second, changed the cable (she came with a new cable, so the PO probably thought this was the problem?), brought new one closer to original spec although is slightly shorter than the original, this agin did not make any noticable change.

Lastly took to the clutch springs, in my haste to get thing under way, I ordered some EBC ones but did not realise until they arrived that they were heavy duty springs (15%).... When checking against the ones on the bike, the EBC were thinner?? replaced them, torqued to spec and ....... the clutch works great :-) No idea what springs were put on the bike but if anyone wants them the use as an excersize machine, I will happly post to you FOC :-)
first pic new EBC spring on the bottom,

Thank you all again for your help and support.
 

[florence]

Excellent news and glad HD EBC feel good, it's what I have and I am super happy with my clutch.

[Bryanj]

You never know for certain what has been fitted in the past!!!

[Murf]

Good to know you have got the problem sorted👍 and great that you have posted the solution which is bound to help someone else down the line, plus you have some extra new parts for the bike. Oh and some unidentified extra heavy duty clutch springs😂  bound to be someone with a tractor that wants them.

[neat street]

bound to be someone with a tractor that wants them.

 

[andy120t]

I had a similar thing with my old Triumph....I backed off the screws holding the springs and it went from needing Charles Atlas to change gear to be lovely and light.