Evening All,
Well, at 5500 miles I am now to join the ranks of those who have "enjoyed" troubles with the standard Vincent Clutch - I have had faultless service todate however am now having problems.
I have posted this on Jtan too as some don't read both - would be most grateful for the benefit of experience from other members who have encountered this specific problem before.
Here's what I posted on Jtan:
Evening All,
So, here I go delving into the intricacies of the Vincent Clutch.
Mine is a standard set up which ran for 5500 miles pretty much faultlessly.
Then, after 230 miles or so on a very hot day, everything warm, the clutch slipped terribly, couldn't get mote that 30 miles an hour.
When cold, all perfect again - did 70 miles no problem.
Then on the next run did 45 miles at 70mph, then the clutch started to slip again.
With everything hot I checked the cable adjustment, all fine, the actuator arm, all fine with free play and just kissing the abutment on full lever pull.
So, I stripped the clutch and found a little (not a lot) of oil had found it's way into the clutch down the final drive shaft and also a dribble trail from the basket mounting screws. All cleaned up thoroughly and put back together again. The plate clutch outer and inner had "blued" in three locations as Richardson suggests happens but they look true enough on a piece of ground glass.
So - all back together and I was pleased with myself.
Out for a run, did 40 miles, no sign of slip. Then towards the end a different problem, on coming to a standstill at a junction, clutch pulled in, stalled the engine - the clutch was dragging slightly. However - it does not do this every time. At home I tried putting the bike on the stand and running the engine, clutch in, engage first and let out clutch - back wheel drives. Pull in clutch, back wheel stops. Do it several times and maybe once every 4 or 5 times the clutch fails to disengage fully and the wheel continues to turn, apply the back brake and the engine stalls.
So, I appear to have seen a problem (oil ingress) and cleaned and re-assembled the clutch only to cause myself another problem.
I'm confident that this will be something that Jtan'ners have come across before so I though best to post here and on the Forum to gain some assistance as to what to look for, what to do next?
I was meticulous with the strip and re-assemble and am pretty confident that all went back just as it should - however something is obviously array so would appreciate guidance.
Many thanks.
Stuart Metcalfe
Well, at 5500 miles I am now to join the ranks of those who have "enjoyed" troubles with the standard Vincent Clutch - I have had faultless service todate however am now having problems.
I have posted this on Jtan too as some don't read both - would be most grateful for the benefit of experience from other members who have encountered this specific problem before.
Here's what I posted on Jtan:
Evening All,
So, here I go delving into the intricacies of the Vincent Clutch.
Mine is a standard set up which ran for 5500 miles pretty much faultlessly.
Then, after 230 miles or so on a very hot day, everything warm, the clutch slipped terribly, couldn't get mote that 30 miles an hour.
When cold, all perfect again - did 70 miles no problem.
Then on the next run did 45 miles at 70mph, then the clutch started to slip again.
With everything hot I checked the cable adjustment, all fine, the actuator arm, all fine with free play and just kissing the abutment on full lever pull.
So, I stripped the clutch and found a little (not a lot) of oil had found it's way into the clutch down the final drive shaft and also a dribble trail from the basket mounting screws. All cleaned up thoroughly and put back together again. The plate clutch outer and inner had "blued" in three locations as Richardson suggests happens but they look true enough on a piece of ground glass.
So - all back together and I was pleased with myself.
Out for a run, did 40 miles, no sign of slip. Then towards the end a different problem, on coming to a standstill at a junction, clutch pulled in, stalled the engine - the clutch was dragging slightly. However - it does not do this every time. At home I tried putting the bike on the stand and running the engine, clutch in, engage first and let out clutch - back wheel drives. Pull in clutch, back wheel stops. Do it several times and maybe once every 4 or 5 times the clutch fails to disengage fully and the wheel continues to turn, apply the back brake and the engine stalls.
So, I appear to have seen a problem (oil ingress) and cleaned and re-assembled the clutch only to cause myself another problem.
I'm confident that this will be something that Jtan'ners have come across before so I though best to post here and on the Forum to gain some assistance as to what to look for, what to do next?
I was meticulous with the strip and re-assemble and am pretty confident that all went back just as it should - however something is obviously array so would appreciate guidance.
Many thanks.
Stuart Metcalfe
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