Triumphrat

kawtoy · 03-05-2007

I am putting in new clutch plates on my 73 Bonnie. I got the old plates out and decided to take out the clutch hub and check everything out. I got the clutch hub off and now I am wondering how much play should be between the inner and outer hubs. I have a fair amount of play but should there be any at all? I took it off to investigate a strange noise I have had in that area. Maybe this is it. If there shoud not be any play, how do you tighten it up? Thanks

1Down_4Up · 03-05-2007

There is no real adjustment as such. The play is controlled by those 20 little roller bearings and the thrust washer behind the clutch chainwheel. If either or both are badly worn it will allow things to move around. Also, what was the tension of the primary chain like before you pulled it apart. The noise may have just been from a loose chain. Maybe the tensioning slipper is worn.

Rod.
South Australia.
72 T120V

kawtoy · 03-05-2007

The middle of the top chain had about 3/4in of play. Should be 1/2in so I will be adjusting that as well. I took the plug off and it says to use a screw driver to tighten the tension. I can not see how to get a screw drive in the hole. Any thoughts?

quagmire · 03-05-2007

there is a little tool you insert into the hole and turn with a wrench. You can do the same with a small flathead screw driver.

1Down_4Up · 03-05-2007

A screwdriver won't really do the job if the motor is still in the frame. There is a special tool for this task which is sort of a bolt without a thread and a screwdriver blade on the end of it. It's hollow and has a notch taken out of the blade to allow the adjuster shaft to be cleared. It's been a long time since I did one of these so my memory may not be serving me correctly. Can anyone else provide further info.

Rod.
South Australia.
72 T120V

quagmire · 03-05-2007

I have two of these things, but last time I adjusted my primary chain I had the motor off the bike, so not much help here.

GrandPaulZ · 03-05-2007

I have used a LONG skinny screwdriver with the engine in place.

If the clutch basket assembly is wobbling on it's shaft, you haven't tightened the center nut properly. It's got to be torqued, and a locktab washer installed (not sure about the locktab on a '73, but it certainly won't hurt).

[ This message was edited by: GrandPaulZ on 2007-03-05 22:09 ]

1Down_4Up · 03-06-2007

Is it an OIF Triumph or pre 1971? I seem to recall that you could adjust the chain on the pre 1971 bikes with the thin screw driver but it was nearly impossible on the OIF models. I haven't got to that point in my rebuild yet so I'm not sure.

Rod.
South Australia.
72 T120V

DAGAD · 03-06-2007

MOST IMPORTANT CHECK THE SHOCK ABSORBER BACK PLATE, SPIDER AND RUBBERS. This causes more problems in a Triumph clutch than worn plates.
Do not fit a tab washer, use the thick, hardened washer and a simmonds / crush lock nut and torque it to the correct figure.
It is also important to check the chain tension when the engine is HOT. It will be tighter then, so you can get the correct tension.
Roy.

Mecchanica · 03-06-2007

Roy is pretty much right on...there is no tab washer for the 68 and later clutches, and I don't use them on the earlier bikes, either, only loctite and a center punch to stake the nut onto the shaft. Replace the rollers and the thrust washer, this should take up some of the slack.
Also, adjust the primary chain AFTER you have adjusted the rear drive chain and as someone is sitting on the bike to tension the drive chain as per riding conditions.