Evening All,
Well I have been battling for more than a couple of weeks now, and have had the clutch apart over 20 times and more than as many hours spent - I just don't seem to be able to get it sorted and I think the time is approaching for me to throw in the towel - sorting it looks like it is beyond my capability.
Today I have even resorted to getting a complete Vincent clutch from a fellow member who has already changed to a plate clutch and I have gone through my bike and swapped out piece by piece, from the shoe assembly through to the primary, plate by plate and fitting a new friction insert from the VOC - no joy.
I can't get it to free off reliably every time - yet when I pull in the clutch lever and find it not disengageing on pulling in the lever, if I tap the end of the clutch nut then all goes free and smooth. When I turn the engine over on the valve lifter and kickstart the clutch might be free as can be on first lift, then move the engine again in the valve lifter and kickstarter and the clutch refuses to disengage and is locked solid, a tap usually releases it though.
I do think I have a problem with the clutch sprocket in the primary gear train - the clutch basket if fixed rigidly to the spocket but there is some lateral play - when you grab the basket at either side, or top and bottom you can noticeably "rock" it - and when I take the dynamo drive cover off I can see that rocking the clutch basket has the effect of noticeably rocking the sprocket in the primary.
I reckon the bush inside the sprocket is worn, I don't think there is a bearing in there.
Perhaps this wear is adding to the problems inside the basket.
I have one more thing to try and that is a modification with a thrust bearing to seek to try and lift the plate on the primary more effectively. Let's see what that does when I get it made up in a week or so.
So - I think I am nearing the end of my patience and abilty now - and so if the modification mentioned above does not do the job - then a plate clutch conversion looks on the horizon.
It has to be a direct, exact exchange - no engineering prowess needed for fitting - so what would Club Members recommend I should contemplate fitting?
I know there is a V3 out there - but have heard of people having problems running it dry.
I think VinParts offer a clutch replacement - has anyone had one recently and does it fit straight in with no modification required?
Do the VOC spares company do one? If so what is it and what is it like - has anyone had experience of one recently?
I'm off to the Manx GP in a month - and can't face a clutch not working for a whole week on the Island.
Any/all help gratefully received on advice on what to fit?
Stuart
Well I have been battling for more than a couple of weeks now, and have had the clutch apart over 20 times and more than as many hours spent - I just don't seem to be able to get it sorted and I think the time is approaching for me to throw in the towel - sorting it looks like it is beyond my capability.
Today I have even resorted to getting a complete Vincent clutch from a fellow member who has already changed to a plate clutch and I have gone through my bike and swapped out piece by piece, from the shoe assembly through to the primary, plate by plate and fitting a new friction insert from the VOC - no joy.
I can't get it to free off reliably every time - yet when I pull in the clutch lever and find it not disengageing on pulling in the lever, if I tap the end of the clutch nut then all goes free and smooth. When I turn the engine over on the valve lifter and kickstart the clutch might be free as can be on first lift, then move the engine again in the valve lifter and kickstarter and the clutch refuses to disengage and is locked solid, a tap usually releases it though.
I do think I have a problem with the clutch sprocket in the primary gear train - the clutch basket if fixed rigidly to the spocket but there is some lateral play - when you grab the basket at either side, or top and bottom you can noticeably "rock" it - and when I take the dynamo drive cover off I can see that rocking the clutch basket has the effect of noticeably rocking the sprocket in the primary.
I reckon the bush inside the sprocket is worn, I don't think there is a bearing in there.
Perhaps this wear is adding to the problems inside the basket.
I have one more thing to try and that is a modification with a thrust bearing to seek to try and lift the plate on the primary more effectively. Let's see what that does when I get it made up in a week or so.
So - I think I am nearing the end of my patience and abilty now - and so if the modification mentioned above does not do the job - then a plate clutch conversion looks on the horizon.
It has to be a direct, exact exchange - no engineering prowess needed for fitting - so what would Club Members recommend I should contemplate fitting?
I know there is a V3 out there - but have heard of people having problems running it dry.
I think VinParts offer a clutch replacement - has anyone had one recently and does it fit straight in with no modification required?
Do the VOC spares company do one? If so what is it and what is it like - has anyone had experience of one recently?
I'm off to the Manx GP in a month - and can't face a clutch not working for a whole week on the Island.
Any/all help gratefully received on advice on what to fit?
Stuart