Clutch problem by Jon Green
I had a 1971 B50SS in the early 1980s on which I had awful clutch slip at
peak torque.
I tried new plates, spacers under springs and CCM springs (with spacer and a
stronger cable). All helped a bit but not enough. Then I found that there
was a spacer missing behind the drive sprocket leaving it too far back so
the primary chain was misaligned.
The result?
Well when the engine pulled hard it tried to straighten the chain. As the
clutch-chain wheel is floating the tug on the chain was trying to pull it
into alignment with the front sprocket at the top. Meanwhile the springs
were pushing it back at the bottom. So it was pulled at an angle resulting in
reduced plate pressure on all plates over part of the rotation. I know that
this was the problem as carefully aligning the primary drive stopped the
slippage. So if you have cluch slip get your primary chain alignment exact
before trying any mods. At the least it will give you more power at the
back wheel! (oh and I agree about the simple ordinary oils advice).
Jon Green
bristolgreens@btopenworld.com
© Rickard Nebrér