Clutch plate fail

[freefly103]

Clutch started to lose feel and become harder to pull. Strange since it’s always been a two finger pull after adding the additional steel plate about 10 years ago.

Unscrewing the clutch rod adjuster was not easy. A sign of things going astray underneath.

Finally got it off and had a similar struggle with the clutch spring compressor / clutch spring not an easy job as usual.

Found that one of the fibre plates, the one facing the rear of the clutch basket, had decided to come apart.

The plates are about 10 yrs old with 5000 miles on them.

Everything cleaned up ok. No excessive wear. Waiting on new parts.

 

[L.A.B.]

What make are the plates?

Any particular reason why the centre has been welded?

 

[cliffa]

The splines appear to be gone, so how on earth was drive being transmitted?

 

[L.A.B.]

The splines appear to be gone, so how on earth was drive being transmitted?

I think the splines are there but only up to the ring that has been welded in.

 

[cliffa]

I think the splines are there but only up to the ring that has been welded in.

Ah yes, thanks L.A.B. I hadn't spotted that.

 

[L.A.B.]

The backplate has also been fixed to the drum (with countersunk screws?).

 

[Matchless]

It looks like the centre as used on a Dominator mainshaft.

 

[L.A.B.]

It looks like the centre as used on a Dominator mainshaft.

Ah, yes, a belt drive kit with a Commando clutch assembly.

BELT DRIVE KIT, PRE COMMANDO ALTERNATOR TWIN WITH CLUTCH INTERNALS

BELT DRIVE KIT FOR PRE COMMANDO, ALTERNATOR TWIN WITH ALL NEW CLUTCH INTERNALS.KIT CONSISTS OF:050063 BELT DRIVE PULLEY

www.rgmnorton.co.uk

 

[freefly103]

Clutch plates are these fibre type: https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-details/15396

Clutch basket is a Norvil item, part of their belt drive kit, including the countersunk screws fixing the backing plate to the basket.

The clutch centre is original to the bike. Maybe the PO welded it up for some reason. Despite this, its a good fit and has minimal wear.

 

[freefly103]

The steel plates look ok, but not great.

The clutch centre appears to be milled for a washer, not welded.

 

[L.A.B.]

The clutch centre is original to the bike. Maybe the PO welded it up for some reason.

Edit: A Commando with a pre-Commando mainshaft?
Looks like this "Clutch centre for pre-Commando".

COMMANDO CLUTCH CENTRE FOR PRE COMMANDO MAINSHAFT

www.rgmnorton.co.uk

 

[L.A.B.]

The clutch centre appears to be milled for a washer, not welded.

Looks like a welded-in ring to me. Probably a hardened centre.
An original Commando centre would look like this, with the splines all the way through.

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.

andover-norton.co.uk

 

[freefly103]

Plot thickens. I am still learning about this bike, 10 years in!

 

[baz]

Plot thickens. I am still learning about this bike, 10 years in!

Take a look at your gearbox top mount
See if there is a spacer between the gearbox case and the gearbox cradle
If there is no spacer you've probably got an earlier gearbox fitted
From an atlas or a dominator etc
If it has a spacer it could be a commando gearbox with an earlier main shaft fitted

 

[Jdub]

Looks a bit like the item I have in the For Sale section here?: https://www.accessnorton.com/classifieds/early-rgm-belt-drive-dominator-not-commando.357/.