Triumphrat

Red1959

The clutch in my preunit is worn but I do not have money to replace it. I'v been riding it for a few years. It never slips! It's got a drag in it that gets worse as the motor warms.
I have the 4 pressure springs screws out at the max, the cable is maxed out too. It feels like if it had a longer pushrod, I could get a little more squease out of it, so it would disengage a bit more.
Is there any thing a poor boy can do? I'm thinking of taking out one steel and one clutch plate. That would shorten up the assembly and would ,in effect', act like it has adjustment??
I would think a worn out clutch would tend to slip, then to drag. Untill I can afford it, I have to live with a drag, or let it sit. I have time to fiddle with it, but lack bread!
Any pro's or con's about taking out a set of clutch plates would be most appreciated.

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Webby

Hi Red,
I would start by looking at the oil level in your primary, then the pushrod, is it bent (roll it on a flat surface to check) or the ends mushroomed over, also check the condition and routing of your cable and make sure it's well lubed. It sounds like you've already tried to adjust it several times but you might want to make sure. If none of this works it could be the type of oil you are using or maybe wear in your clutch basket (this can be dressed out with a small file)

Good Luck

Webby

Red1959

Webby and all: The pushrod does not look bent, I do not have a surface plate & can only use desk top for table. If it is bent it isn't much. As far as the oil in the primary> I keep the level up to the chain,where I can inspect the oil level. Now that may be too much but if I cant see the oil I get paranoid!! Also I use transmission fluid in the primary.
The rod is .218x 12 3/8. It is not mushroomed. It does have a center(spot.from machining?) I have a .156 GAGE BALL from my inspection and machining days. This ball will fit into the pressure plate and in effect make the rod a bit longer. I may try and put that ball in there. The ball is hard, and may even improve the action????
What do you all think about that? the rod and ball will look like this ======o , only the ball is smaller in diameter than the rod.

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Plewsy

Hi Red1959 I have used the same trick, a ball bearing inside the little (unadjustable) tophat that sits in the center of the clutch pressure plate. I also shim the tophat bit for fine adjustment with thin washers. You can also chop the clutch pushrod in half and have a ball in the middle, If you cut the push rod do not forget to heat the ends up to cherry red then quench in oil or water. Or you could buy a new rod and cut it a bit longer than it should be. I have a four spring clutch fitted to my Bonnie with an assortment of springs and cups it will not slip now, but is a pain to adjust as there is no pushrod adjuster, just the cable.

Webby

Hi Red,

Personally I would go the same route as Plewsy and cut the rod in half and put the bearing in the middle. I remember reading about this, the idea is that 2 short rods are less likely to bend than one long one.

Good Luck

Webby

Red1959

Webb & Plewsky, I put the ball in the pressure plate side, now it does not drag or slip and shifting up from 1st to 2nd is better. For a worn out cluch, it's working good! It reall needs a new bearings, basket and plates. But like I said, I can't afford it. If I ever get an income again, I'll replace the clutch.
Also, would I have to grind the rod into halves? What kind of metal and treatment is the clutch rod made of?

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Plewsy

Hi Red1959, the push rod is made of a high carbon steel that has to be heated and quenched to make it hard, usually only the ends are done, so if you cut it in half you must heat the ends.