1964 A65 clutch adjustment

[easterndriver]

Riding my A65 today the clutch started slipping in top gear at about 55mph. i have taken as much slack as i can on the handlebar end which is not much and then undone the the locknut under the cover and tightened the adjusting screw tight as per the handbook. I have unscrewed it by three quarters of a turn . i cant understand why there is now no slackness on the handlebar lever at all now. I am now at a loss what to do, is there anyone with any ideas?
regards colin

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Colin,

All I can think of here is going back to basics and starting from a very slack cable so that it does not interfere with the adjustment of the screw in the pressure plate.  So as you have done, screw the adjuster screw in until resistance is felt but not tight as such, and then back it off the 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn as you describe.  Ensure that as you tighten the lock nut the screw does not turn a bit as well.
Now use the kickstart and see that the engine turns with out any clutch slip.  Give it good kick against compression.  There should be no sign of slip.
Now adjust the cable to give a bit of movement, about 1/8", before you feel the resistance of the clutch. If there is no improvement is could mean time for new plates and/or springs.
Depending on your overall gearing I would say that at about 55mph the A65 can have a bit a power surge that will show up any clutch weakness.

Dave.

[easterndriver]

I have adjusted the clutch as per the manual but now the kick start just goes down without turning the engine over. I have unscrewed the adjuster but still no joy with the kick start. could I have damaged something by screwing in the adjuster too tight?

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

That is a bit of an odd one.  It sounds like the clutch pushrod has become stuck.  Unless someone comes up with a good suggestion it looks like a bit of a strip down may be needed.

Dave.

[easterndriver]

Hi Dave
Does seem an odd one because until I started to adjust the clutch the kick start was working perfectly. I cant understand what I might have done to cause this to happen.
many thanks for your replies.
colin

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

If you remove the adjuster nut and screw and get a thin screwdriver or stiff wire and push it in against the end of the pushrod.  Whilst holding this in pull the clutch lever.  Do you feel the rod push back on the screwdriver/wire.  If it does then the rod is not seized and it should move very freely in and out.  This is just a process of elimination but some strip down will probably be needed.  Other possibilities are the clutch centre has spun on the shaft or some how the plates have become stuck.

Looking through at the pressure plate depress the kickstart - is there any movement? 

I think as a minimum the primary case will have to come off.

Dave.

[easterndriver]

Hi Dave
Took the primary chain cover off and a clutch plate had become dislodged. Put it back together and all seems ok now except i didnt realise the bolt holding on the footrest was a left hand thread! I expect you can guess what i did!
Regards Colin