Clutch Pressure Plate Lifting Unevenly

[tony.barnett]

After a recent spell of faffing around with my clutch because the pressure plate was lifting unevenly I replaced a fair few components - springs, basket, needle roller bearing, clutch plates - and all was well. But I noticed today that the clutch wasn't releasing properly again so taking the dome off, it has reverted back to its uneven lifting ways.

The clutch up to recently has never done this, even when the adjuster screws migrated outwards it remained a good clutch - so what could cause it to lift unevenly? If you have had this problem please advise.

I have:-
checked the pushrod for straightness
moved the spring and cup from the low point to a different location and the problem doesn't follow
adjusted the free play at the kickstart end - last time this made a difference, not so this time

[dave.owen]

Does the pushrod locate in the pressure plate correctly

[dave.owen]

Failing that put a ball-bearing in the hole I the pressure plate

[tony.barnett]

Does the pushrod locate in the pressure plate correctly

Yes it does.

[tony.barnett]

Failing that put a ball-bearing in the hole I the pressure plate

Is that a common modification?

[will_curry]

Up until recently I've always added a ball to the pressure plate
and my clutches have lifted pretty squarely pretty reliably.

However, the clutch on the vintage Ariel has always been a
bit marginal and I took the opportunity of a stripdown for other
reasons to remove the ball so that the square end of the pushrod
butts directly into pressure plate. I've not finished the other works
yet but the square end contact certainly seems to be helping to keep
he pressure plate square.

[charvey]

Hi,I take of the cover pull in clutch and keep it in, kick the bike over, s/plug out, adjust the springs till the pressure plate runs true not all springs are the same pressure even if it says so on the box, Regards Clive.

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi i done my clutch the same way as clive says , to stop the clutch dragging and lift up even

[paul.jameson]

Take the clutch springs off and remake the "pips" on the clutch spring screws and the clutch spring cups. My Red Hunter clutch used to come out of adjustment regularly until I did this. Its all about wear and tear.

[tony.barnett]

Take the clutch springs off and remake the "pips" on the clutch spring screws and the clutch spring cups. My Red Hunter clutch used to come out of adjustment regularly until I did this. Its all about wear and tear.

Its not the screws undoing themselves Paul - its lifting unevenly with the screws properly adjusted.