clutch adjustment

[adrian]

have just acquired a '76 Strada......so, after loosening the locknut, and , with light finger pressure on the clutch operating arm, i adjust the pivot screw to give me 15mm from engine case to arm....but, there is play in the arm which allows it to move to be 22mm from case to arm (i.e. 7mm play) AND there's about 50mm free play at clutch lever......is it just a case of a stretched clutch cable?....or am i missing something else....Adrian

[EVguru]

I adjust the clutch operating lever to just clear the case (you have to keen an eye on it as the lever moves out as the clutch wears).

If you can't the adjust the slack out at the lever, the clutch cable is likely at fault. Even new cables can be the wrong length, that's why I started making my own.

[adrian]

thanks Paul...i've adjusted the arm to just clear the operating rod, and the correct lever free play has returned....so, basically, forget the 15mm

[tankstraddler]

I have been struggling with this rather as well. I have compromised with very little play at the handlebar lever (about 2mm max) with 15.5mm between the clutch operating lever and the crankcase. When operated the clutch operating lever stops just short of the crankcase when the handlebar lever is pulled fully back. When at rest it can be waggled freely from side to side and can touch both sides of the slot in the cover but when the play is taken up no side to side movement is possible. It seemed to me that any slacker than this was not really free play but looseness as the clutch pushrod no longer engaged with the dimple in the clutch operating lever. I welcome any observations though.

[EVguru]

The pivot in the bar lever can wear leading to lost motion. A new lever and perhaps the pivot bolt too may be needed.

The release lever wears where it contacts the pushrod and leads to unfavourable geometry. I build up the lever back up with TIG weld.