With the top end done, I finally finished wiring the bike and brakes. I attempted my first test ride today and didn't get very far.

My clutch cable is at the end of the adjuster but I'm able to shift into gear. When I start to move, the bike feels like it wants to stall and needs more throttle to avoid it. My tranny leaks but I was hoping to get through the summer just filling it. I'm going to pull the primary cover off and take a look at the clutch later. Any other suggestions?
Thanks
Nick

 

Checking the clutch should be on the list if you haven't already checked/adjusted it but here's a couple other things to consider:
1) Do you have the correct clutch cable and 2) have you checked the throw-out bearing and it's linkage? By "linkage" I mean not only the arm over the top of the transmission, I also mean the internal parts in the transmission end cover where it has a fork that operates the throw-out bearing.

 

I have the plate out and I will inspect the steel plates, and measure the friction plates and springs.

 

The throw out bearing push rod looks a little short in those photos, it should stick out of the hub nut a bit farther. They have 3 different lengths of those and yours should be almost 14" long if it still has the OEM little bearing & flinger. The older ones with the heavy TO bearing are shorter. Another thing to look at is the adjustment screw in the pressure plate is it intake or ground off on the end.

 

I measured the thickness of the material on the inner-most friction plate and it is .225 in most spots.

I have the OEM TO bearing and not the bell shaped one. Below is a pic of the back of the pressure plate. In order to check the push rod legnth, does it have to come out the other side where the throwout bearing is by removing the kick start cover?

 

I'd start by adjust the cable out some that pushrod should extend a bit farther out, good chance you cables just stretched out. A lot of the cheaper aftermarket ones tend to be on the long side new making adjustment almost all the way out. The throwout bearing is a small one in those and they do go bad.

 

Thanks Twizted, but I'm a little confused.

When I first started working on the bike, it was missing a hand clutch lever so I added one and then adjusted the cable. The manual called for a gap of 3/8" between the transmission release lever and the top of the tranny for 1968-early 79 models and 13/16" for late 79. I went with 13/16" but I'm not sure if mine is late 79.

Are you suggesting that I increase or decrease that gap or something different all together?

 

Does the tranny look like this ? this is the early ones to mid 79

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/attac...6_135249lq.jpg


Or this late 79 and later

http://200bucks.com/motorcycleparts/...p4speed/02.jpg

 

Thanks. OK, it's coming back to me now. I have a cowpie tranny so it is late 79.

 

Since I have the day off tomorrow, I'd like to work on this and see if I can get the bike to ride right. My plan is to clean all the plates, scotch-brite the friction pads, install, and adjust the clutch according to the SM.