Vh500 clutch

[Alan G]

Not sure if I have a problem or not yet.....

When cold, the clutch lever has little play and the clutch clears well and changes easy.
When hot, the clutch slackens off with lots of play at the lever and there is hardly enough release to change gear.
If when hot I adjust the pushrod end adjuster to give the correct lever feel and smooth changes, all is well until it cools down again - then all the slack is taken up and the clutch is disengaged enough to just let the link starter slip and not engage the engine, i.e. I can't kick it over and start the engine.

I may be able to find an in between setting that works, hence why I am not sure I have a problem, but thought I would ask if this is normal, or if it is a sign of a common failing I can address, such as worn plates.....?

[will_curry]

All is not well. Do you have cork or composite clutch inserts?
The reason for asking is that they require different clutch springs
although most if not all currently available are the stronger sort for
composite clutch inserts which work well enough with cork but are
unnecessarily heavy in action.

I suspect that your clutch is slipping somewhat as you ride and the extra heat
is causing the inserts to swell and so cause the problems. As the clutch cools
the inserts return to their usual size and all seems well again until the next time.

[nevhunter]

I suggest something is wrong in your gearbox. The end thrust should be taken by the Smaller race Near the K/S end. Nev

[simon.holyfield]

There's certainly a problem Alan. The Ariel clutch should be lovely and smooth and work perfectly under all conditions.

As it's dry, it's very easy to strip. I'd pull the cover off and have a look at your plates - put them on a flat surface and check they are not warped and that the inserts are in good shape, then have a look at the splines on the centre and the basket.

[Alan G]

Thanks all.
Hopefully I will have some time on Wednesday to have a look. My thinking is that the friction material must be very worn, and so the thermal expansion of the metal is more noticeable than if the friction plates were 'good and chunky'. Or the plain plates are warped and get less warped (effectively thinner) when hot

Assuming I find worn out plates - what is the recommended solution?
Replacement of the corks?
Draganfly https://draganfly.co.uk/shop/63206/clut ... a/#3365-36
Or new bonded ones?
Draganfly https://draganfly.co.uk/shop/63203/fric ... 4/#3360-85

I'll also measure the plain plates and replace any warped or worn below 2mm(?) New ones are 2.5mm I believe.

[will_curry]

I much prefer cork inserts. They don't need the extra-strong springs so the action is lighter
and they take up much more smoothly than the composites. Whatever you do choose
do fit a new set of clutch springs too.

Eventually both the clutch basket and clutch hub grooves will get worn so the sides are
no longer parallel - notched - and then the plates will stick causing problems with the
clutch freeing.

Post some pictures if you can of what you find when you've got the clutch stripped out.

[simon.holyfield]

I think cork is much nicer. AOMCC gearbox spares have some very nice laser cut plates and will provide corks well.

When you check your plates for warping, bear in mind that it doesn't take much 'out of flat' to mess up your clutch operation...

[nevhunter]

The Nut on the kick end of the Mainshaft May Be Unwinding . It's a common problem and is best kept there by Loctite as overtightening is NOT advised. Cork is by far the Best clutch unless you are doing a Lot of track starts and you will risk seeing the cloud of Blue smoke thing.. The big nut on the other end might be worth checking also It has a Locking Tab. and while you are at it check the ends of the 1/4 push rod are Very Hard and the Ball is there Better to do these things at home than on the side of the road. Once you get it right you will have years of service. I've never had an Ariel Clutch let me down. Nev

[Alan G]

So I cannot see anything obviously wrong. The plates are not warped, the four steel plates are all around 2.0mm in thickness, and appear to still have manufacturing pattern marks from new. The corks all look in reasonable condition - but I am wondering if they are getting a little thin. Can you judge from the photos? They measure around 5.5mm thick. The whole stack measures about 25mm.

The springs all appear OK, and are not hugely strong, I could undo the screws by hand, but made a slotted tool to make it easier. I am not aware of any clutch slip when riding, so fairly happy the springs are strong enough.

The basket does not look worn and there are no wear grooves - there is end play of around 3mm; meaning the basket can pull out and in by around 3mm, I assume this is normal?

I won't dismantle any further for now - I'll get some feedback first. Thanks in advance.

[simon.holyfield]

Do you mean the basket moves in and out by 3 mm with the clutch centre in place? Sounds like the thrust washers are missing, unless you have a lot of mainshaft end float.

How much does the clutch centre move in and out?