A65 Clutch Rod Length

[JN A65C]

Can anyone tell me what the free throw/distance should be between the clutch arm and the case on a 1965 A65? I am installing a new clutch rod and I need to cut it down to the proper length. Thanks!

[JulianS]

If it helps the workshop manual lists the push rod length as 11 1/16 inches.

[JN A65C]

Thank you Julian! Here is the backstory on this issue:

1. I purchased a "rebuilt" motor of unknown origin many years ago and am now getting a bike together.
2. The 4 spring clutch was assembled incorrectly and I was not sure if there should have been 5 plates like the manual stated or 6 plates which came with the clutch. To make things more confusing the manuals state 5 and 5 but show 6 pressure plates on the diagram...
3. So under a seperate post on this forum I was advised to load the clutch all the way to the top with 6 plates if they fit on the hub, see attached pics.
4. The clutch rod that was in the motor was 11 1/4 and is now too short for 6 plates, but is probably fine with 5.
5. So I either need to remove one friction and pressure plate or install a longer clutch rod.

And actually now that I am looking at the situation I am also concerned that the last pressure plate may spin on the hub when the pressure is off the clutch because its all the way at the top of the inner hub?

[JN A65C]

My intuition tells me to run the clutch with 5/5 plates like the stock manual states, ignore the 6th pressure plate shown in the diagram and use the stock 11 1/4 clutch rod but I would appreciate any feedback someone with more direct experience may have. Thanks!

[JulianS]

This diagram from the 1962-65 workshop manual may help. Dont confuse the 1966 on 3 spring clutch with the 4 spring one you have.

You can buy a multiplate clutch kit which allows the fitting of an extra plain and friction plate. The friction plates are thinner and more narrow than the originals.

[JN A65C]

Thanks now were getting somewhere!

I see on this diagram that the extra plate is called a "fixed Plate."

I dont have a plate "fixed" to the hub but there is a shoulder that would keep a steel plate from slipping between the hub and clutch basket.

So is the "fixed plate" different from a standard steel plate? And if it is just another standard steel plate then this would be require 6 steel plates and 5 friction plates? This is what has been so confusing for me because the manual says 5 and 5 but then shows what I now see is called a "fixed plate."
.
If I use a plain steel plate for the "fixed plate" then the stack also looks more correct..

[JulianS]

My parts books shows the plates to be the same part 68 3221 so I would just use the standard steel plate.

Do you have the mechanism which goes with the clutch cable/lever?

[JN A65C]

Thanks I will do that!

Also no I do not have the mechanism I had thought that would come with the cable but I hadn't gotten that far yet:) Also my motor number is A65C 1107.

[JulianS]

Your engine is from a 1965 season United States market A65 Thunderbolt Rocket.

[JN A65C]

 

[JN A65C]

Julian I greatly appreciate your help thank you very much!!!