Angela Collen Posted September 12, 2023 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Hi all, just thought I'd done everything needed to my old classic restoration wise and was about to take first journey and clutch stopping me smoothly leaving in first gear,just judder and cuts out. Tried pushing it up and down to release plates but no joy. This has stood in collection for last 10 years so would you recommend replacing rather than trying to clean up/repair 40 year old plates, I can get complete kit from David silver spares for not too bad a price, and see I need honda clutch nut tool (who knew) to get into , your thoughts guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted September 12, 2023 Share Posted September 12, 2023 You could try letting it idle to get good and hot, with the lever strapped in. I've unstuck old clutches that way. But it's not guaranteed to work! Otherwise it's probably best to replace the plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husoi Posted September 12, 2023 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Seafoam in the oil. Had that before because engine oil was not good quality. Seafoam will help. If not then you will start thinking about a new replacement disks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick the wanderer Posted September 12, 2023 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Try putting the front wheel tight up to something solid like a wall or a tree and then put it into gear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted September 12, 2023 Author Share Posted September 12, 2023 Thanks will try both suggestions, oil was top quality but worth a try , if not at least I've sourced parts in Suffolk, always good when bike is 40 years old, appreciate your thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideWithStyles Posted September 12, 2023 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Well this is down to how you feel. if you want to fettle with the proudest of achievements and potentially save a few pennies, you could try to lightly clean them up, flatten them out and re soak and see if there isnt enough imprint but really if the plates have bowed / stepped memory from being left in there for so long. The other potential worry is if the friction plate/s suddenly decide to fall out /break up while you you start using it will make more damage and costs than if you just changed them in the first place and think of hindsight. if you can afford it id do it now for one less thing to potentially go wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted September 12, 2023 Share Posted September 12, 2023 I would replace them all Afterall it is a serviceable item and I would say its past its best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megaross Posted September 13, 2023 Share Posted September 13, 2023 40 year old plates? Bin em. Even if you unstick them they're likely not long for this world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianco2564 Posted September 13, 2023 Share Posted September 13, 2023 As suggested, replace the clutch plates and also the springs. My 53 year old Honda 125 clutch springs had gone weak and caused the clutch to slip. New ones were no longer available, but a bit of research found some Royal Enfield springs were pretty much identical and they worked a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted September 13, 2023 Author Share Posted September 13, 2023 Yes think sensible thing to do is replace, I love fettling but think it's time up on old plates, thanks for helping me make right decision guys, much appreciated 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 Update, clutch unstuck by running till very warm and working well, decided to check condition as I had already bought new kit, new problem only half nuts will move on cover, others solid, any suggestions on how I can Free off without breaking or will I need to go for broke and then drill out? Your help much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Give them an overnight soaking with plenty of plus gas - and then some more. Sometimes trying to tighten just a little more before an attempt to undo can work too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 I second using Plusgas. I used to restore old cars and it was the best thing to deal with seized fittings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted October 1, 2023 Author Share Posted October 1, 2023 Thanks for your advice, the screws are half sunk into the cover so soaking is not easy to do, but will try as well as tighten slightly then try to loosen, would warming it up or tapping work? Trouble is it's 40 years old and stood in someone's collection for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Heat and tapping all good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorky Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 2 hours ago, Bender said: Heat and tapping all good And paitence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Yorky said: And paitence Lots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted October 1, 2023 Author Share Posted October 1, 2023 Yes not looking forward to this, might leave till winter when I've got time to be very patient, as clutch free and working well will enjoy classic bike while sun shines and deal with this later! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 2 hours ago, Angela Collen said: Yes not looking forward to this, might leave till winter when I've got time to be very patient, as clutch free and working well will enjoy classic bike while sun shines and deal with this later! Most sensible idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Frog Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 I concur ! Also you can use the time to repeatedly introduce a little plus gas evry time you put it away between rides. A little and often is a good way to go before the day of the wrench arrives. By the way a little heat and patient tapping will work wonders as previously noted. Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideWithStyles Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Place duck tape over the recessed holes but leave alittle gap at the top to fill the recessing with a penetrating liquid of your choice and seal it up. check and replace the tape/pene daily till the bolts come off... some manufacturers did use lock tight liquid back in the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 21 hours ago, Angela Collen said: Thanks for your advice, the screws are half sunk into the cover so soaking is not easy to do, but will try as well as tighten slightly then try to loosen, would warming it up or tapping work? Trouble is it's 40 years old and stood in someone's collection for years The cars I used to work on were all older and had often stood outside for years. All of the above work ..... eventually. There are loads of YouTube videos of freeing seized bolts. Patience, plusgas, heat, tapping, and going both directions in very small amounts. If you get one moving don't try to just undo it. Back it out slightly then back in. Then out again a fraction more, then in again. Most failures happen when someone tries to go too far at once, threads get jammed and the bolt shears. If you've got rattle gun use a very low setting and let it do the boring bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Collen Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 Thank you so much for all your advice, now I have several plans to tackle the problem, much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.