I have a 1969 BSA a50 that I restored last year and only managed to ride a whole 27 miles before parking for a few months. Everything was working fine then.
Got it out to ride last week and cannot get the clutch to disengage enough to get it into gear. Did the whole routine of adjusting the clutch, all to no avail. So I figured the clutch plates must be stuck together. I disassembled the clutch and the plates seem fine. I did notice some movement of the clutch basket while I was fiddling around. Research tells me that the thrust washer on the clutch sleeve behind the basket should be replaced if there is excessive movement. I checked all my measuring instruments and none of the seem to have a unit called "excessive". I'm not too excited about going in and replacing the thrust washer if I don't have to, so can someone with more experience give a definition of "excessive" in this case?
Many thanks.
p.s. When I have the clutch adjusted "properly", the jamb nut on the rod adjusting screw is on by only a few threads. It's as if the rod is too short, but it measures to spec. Am I missing something obvious?
Thanks again.
Hi,
There is always a bit of play in the clutch and a worn thrust washer will not stop it from working but just make more sloppy with some drag probably causing gear selection problems.
Did the clutch work OK before parking the bike up? Just the act of taking the plates out could have unstuck them. If you have put them back are they still sticking?
Was the adjuster nut only on by a few threads previously? This looks like the pressure plate or some of the plates are not sitting correctly or there are too many plates fitted.
Dave.
The clutch worked ok before I parked it, but still had only a few threads on the jamb nut and the pull was rather manly. It has 6 fiber plates which the repair manual I'm using says it should have, but you've got me thinking. Maybe I'll omit a plate and see if it makes a difference. I'll let you know.
Thanks
Ron
I did check all the plates for flatness and the pressure plate too. The plates came out easily and don't seem to be sticking now (not that I knew if they were before since they cam out easily.
More info.
When I pull in the clutch I can see the pressure plate move in and out.
With the clutch pulled in I can use the kickstarter to turn things over and the pressure plate moves out and the central parts spins while the clutch basket does not.
However with the engine running the pressure plate lifts, but the central hub keeps turning with the clutch basket. There's a little drag showing at the rear wheel, but that can be stopped with your foot, but the central hub keeps on turning. And you get heavy gnashing when you try to put it into gear.
It's got me totally confused.
I'm testing Einstein's theory of insanity by doing the same things over and over hoping for a different result.
ANYBODY have some different suggestions?
:'(
Thanks
There are some brilliant videos on clutch restoration on Youtube. Just search BSA Clutch and choose a few of them. Normally good advice, not always.
Hi,
When you turn the centre with the kickstart is the pressure plate lifting squarely or does it wobble as it turns also does it look like the plates are separating squarely and equally? This can be caused by uneven spring pressure. Are there wear grooves in the hub and notches in the basket caused over time by the plates? This can cause the plates to snag and not separate properly.
Can you post any photos?
Dave.
Plates have probably gummed up,
stick it in 4th gear, zip tie the clutch back to the bar and keep rocking the bike back and forth until the gum breaks then go for a ride and get the clutch/primary oil hot