Author Topic: clutch adjustment on Triumph speedtwin 5ta  (Read 6997 times)

Offline Trumper

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clutch adjustment on Triumph speedtwin 5ta
« on: April 16, 2009, 03:59:23 PM »
Hi All ,I have tried a search before asking but no luck,so all advice welcome please. :)
 My Triumph speedtwin 5ta H7810 unit construction clutch is dragging abit when the bike is cold.
 It can take 20+ kicks of the kickstarter with the clutch in before the plates release [ mostly less]and if the bike is in neutral the rear wheel is being driven when the engine is running.
 Sometimes i can start the bike put the clutch in and when i engage first gear it can either stall the engine with a big lurch or you can ride a few yards with the clutch in before it releases[ no good for your nerves if you are heading for an immovable object  [smiley=shocked.gif] ].
 Once she has been used it is normally ok for a while.
  I have tried adjusting the clutch via the cable at the lever end but when i looked at the locking nut and adjusting screw behind little cover on the side of the clutch case the lock nut and screw turn as one and not independently as i supposed they would have done :o [smiley=undecided.gif]
 Once the bikes running and warmed up she is fine ,just seems to be when she is first started for a while.
  I am not a mechanic and i can live with it if it is a quirk of the bike but if it is causing mega damage i will need to get it looked at.
 Thanks for any imput.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2009, 04:00:30 PM by Trumper »

Offline Goldie

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Re: clutch adjustment on Triumph speedtwin 5ta
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2009, 05:44:04 PM »
Are you using too heavy grade of oil, which would cause the clutch plates to stick together.

If i were you, i would take all the plates out, wash them off in petrol and lightly cleaning off the bonded plates with wet and dry.

Check that the clutch centre grooves where the plain plates lugs slide in are smooth with no ridges and the samr with the clutch chain wheel.

If there are signs of wear from the plate lugs, try smoothing them out with a file, so the lugs run smoothly in the grooves.

Re-insert the plates and tighten the spring loaded screws until the thread is just about flush with top of the domed nuts.

Slacken clutch cable right off, and adjust the push rod adjusing screw until it just touchs the push rod and then back it off half a turn. Hold screw and tighten lock nut, finally taking up the slack of the clutch cable at the clutch lever end, leaving just a little bit of slack.
                                                                                         Before putting in the correct grade oil, fire it up with the cover off and try the clutch to see if it disengages. if the plates do not free up, check the clutch push rod for length, because the ends may have worn and not give enough throw on the clutch to make it disengage.

Offline Rex

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Re: clutch adjustment on Triumph speedtwin 5ta
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2009, 10:54:48 PM »
Looks clean,dunnit? ;)

If it works OK when hot then presumably most, if not all, parts are adjusted correctly and not too worn, so I'd be looking at oil grade or contamination as causing this.

Strip it out and clean or replace the plates. You'll need to sort the adjuster and it's nut too.

Offline Trumper

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Re: clutch adjustment on Triumph speedtwin 5ta
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2009, 12:22:58 PM »
Quote
Looks clean,dunnit? ;)

If it works OK when hot then presumably most, if not all, parts are adjusted correctly and not too worn, so I'd be looking at oil grade or contamination as causing this.

Strip it out and clean or replace the plates. You'll need to sort the adjuster and it's nut too.

  I am pleased to say she isn't a fair weather bike :)you should've seen her 2 days ago when i went to work in a storm,she looked a real mess then ;D
 I am using sae 30 in her.
 To a non mechanic you both make it sound so simple :)
 Thanks for the advice ,i will see how she gets on as she is rideable at the moment but if she reaches a point where there is a real problem i will have to be brave and go for it :o
 Thanks again [smiley=beer.gif]

Offline thunderbird

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Re: clutch adjustment on Triumph speedtwin 5ta
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2009, 12:37:55 PM »
hi trumper,i would drain the primary and put sae 20 in, you may find this will sort your problem if you dont want to do any dismantling. steve :)