Putting my '72 CB450 back together and I'm running into a problem with the clutch. I'm not the most knowledgable fellow out there, but I think I have everything set up correctly. This may wind up being over my head, but I figured I'd give things a shot before I give up and take it to the shop. Unfortunately, the bike isn't starting up at the moment (carb problems, I think), so I'm somewhat limited in my ability to troubleshoot this problem.
I have adjusted my cable so that there isn't any play in the lever. When I pull the clutch lever in, it feels nice and firm, like it's actually engaging. Doesn't seem to be binding or anything.
With the bike on the center stand and the clutch lever pulled in, I can't spin the rear wheel. If I'm in neutral, it spins nice and freely, so I know the rear isn't locked up or anything.
If I use the adjuster nut (I have an aftermarket cable) right above the left cover, and really crank it up, the rear wheel will slowly become easier to spin. That makes sense to me, because the more I adjust that nut, the more I'm forcing the clutch lifter rod in, which is slowly engaging the clutch in a permanent way (permanent as in as long as I leave it adjusted that way).
Any ideas why the lever with no play in it fails to let the rear wheel spin, but simulating the lever pull by adjusting the nut slowly but surely must be engaging the clutch because it makes the rear wheel easier and easier to spin the more I crank that nut.
I checked to make sure I have the ball bearing in there, the adjuster / lifter thing seems to be in working order (with the cover off, turning the adjuster clockwise lifts the adjuster), I've adjusted using the clutch adjuster, the nut above the cover, the adjuster at the lever. All to no avail.
I have adjusted my cable so that there isn't any play in the lever. When I pull the clutch lever in, it feels nice and firm, like it's actually engaging. Doesn't seem to be binding or anything.
With the bike on the center stand and the clutch lever pulled in, I can't spin the rear wheel. If I'm in neutral, it spins nice and freely, so I know the rear isn't locked up or anything.
If I use the adjuster nut (I have an aftermarket cable) right above the left cover, and really crank it up, the rear wheel will slowly become easier to spin. That makes sense to me, because the more I adjust that nut, the more I'm forcing the clutch lifter rod in, which is slowly engaging the clutch in a permanent way (permanent as in as long as I leave it adjusted that way).
Any ideas why the lever with no play in it fails to let the rear wheel spin, but simulating the lever pull by adjusting the nut slowly but surely must be engaging the clutch because it makes the rear wheel easier and easier to spin the more I crank that nut.
I checked to make sure I have the ball bearing in there, the adjuster / lifter thing seems to be in working order (with the cover off, turning the adjuster clockwise lifts the adjuster), I've adjusted using the clutch adjuster, the nut above the cover, the adjuster at the lever. All to no avail.