Saber
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2019
- Messages
- 422
![United-States Country flag](https://www.accessnorton.com/images/flags/shiny/32/United-States.png)
My 74 commando gradual restoration has gotten to the point where it has been running pretty much problem free last summer and this summer. Im really enjoying it and and getting some wings as a new rider in my early 60s. Last weekend I got it out on a chilly 50 degree morning and rode it around the neighborhood to warm it up a bit. 1/2 mile into the ride my clutch cable went completely slack. Like the cable broke. I limped it home and shut it down. Later that day I dug into it and discovered
-the cable was not broken. Its only 1-2 years old.
-the cable end was properly seated in the operating lever fork in the gearbox.
-the operating lever was in a proper position.
-the lever roller looked in tact.
-the clutch adjustment stud was not loose. Jam nut was secure.
-the circlip seemed to be in place. the clutch basket had no inboard outboard movement.
-nothing looked out of place on the handlebar end other than the clutch lever had no cable tension.
-when I moved the clutch lever at the handle bar it actuated the fork lever in the gearbox up and down freely. No resistance.
So then I loosened the jam nut on the clutch adjusting stud and went through the full clutch adjustment process (one turn out) and everything seemed back to normal.
I did not ride it. I left it as is then started thinking maybe the operating lever roller sleve failed in some way. So last night I took the outer cover off and pulled the roller. Its a little loose / worn but nothing that would explain why my clutch went slack all at once. The ball looked ok.
So I'm confused as to what caused it. Id rather not pull the clutch basket for further investigating if I dont have to. Any ideas?
The last time the gearbox and clutch were touched was the rebuild 1.5 years and 2,500 miles ago.
-the cable was not broken. Its only 1-2 years old.
-the cable end was properly seated in the operating lever fork in the gearbox.
-the operating lever was in a proper position.
-the lever roller looked in tact.
-the clutch adjustment stud was not loose. Jam nut was secure.
-the circlip seemed to be in place. the clutch basket had no inboard outboard movement.
-nothing looked out of place on the handlebar end other than the clutch lever had no cable tension.
-when I moved the clutch lever at the handle bar it actuated the fork lever in the gearbox up and down freely. No resistance.
So then I loosened the jam nut on the clutch adjusting stud and went through the full clutch adjustment process (one turn out) and everything seemed back to normal.
I did not ride it. I left it as is then started thinking maybe the operating lever roller sleve failed in some way. So last night I took the outer cover off and pulled the roller. Its a little loose / worn but nothing that would explain why my clutch went slack all at once. The ball looked ok.
So I'm confused as to what caused it. Id rather not pull the clutch basket for further investigating if I dont have to. Any ideas?
The last time the gearbox and clutch were touched was the rebuild 1.5 years and 2,500 miles ago.