Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Riding to work this morning and clutch cable appeared to be stretching rapidly to the point where clutch was dragging, then stalled the bike. Clutch cable is new, good quality from T Johnson Cables. I adjusted the cable but no joy in disengaging the clutch. I could find neutral but bike would not kick over or start. AA took me home.
Any advice please on where I should start with diagnosis? Possibly cable is caught and pinched? What else should I look for?
Many thanks, Duncan

Before you replaced the cable, was the clutch OK? have you done any other work on the clutch?

The old cable was just stretched with no more adjustment available. Clutch was fine then and fine until this morning. Many thanks, Duncan

Does the clutch pushrod have hardened ends, if they are not hardened then its surprising how quick they shorthen .

Steve

Just read your second post. The pushrod must be OK if you've used it with your old cable.
I've had the adjuster on the end of the cable near the handlebar leaver unscrew itself.
Steve

I've had my big clutch nut come undone once, that would produce your symptoms.

Steve

Is there any further adjustment to be had on the inside of the gearbox cover - where the cable enters to attach to the operating arm?
Adjustment correct at operating arm itself?
Did the clutch engage/disengage freely. If not, clutch plates could be snagging on the splines making disengagement difficult and stretching the cable - get your file out.

Cables can stretch slighty on installation, but they should firm up - after taking up the slack - fairly quickly.

Many thanks for your input. I did unscrew the cable cover on the gearbox and the the cable end is still engaged in the lever. There is still adjustment at both ends and the cable adjuster is still done up but I can't squeeze the clutch lever enough to disengage the clutch. Will take off the clutch dome cover later and take a peek. Regards, Duncan

Understood. Remove the retaining screws and buckets ( special tool or notch in big driver), remove all plates - noting the order - and take a good look at the splines - both inner and outer - and the lugs on the plates themselves. If damaged, filing off may help matters and consider lightly greasing them - to prevent seizure - greasing strikes me as being a reasonable suggestion - perhaps others can comment as to its wisdom - not entirely certain. Coincidentally I am at that stage in checking my clutch out at present. Do take a look at all the plates for any obvious signs of contamination, oil or damage. There is a possibility the faces could be sticking rather than disengaging, making disegagement difficult.

Dome now off; there was some thick black oil in the bottom of the cover, maybe a tablespoon - is that normal? Waiting for the clutch nut tool but the springs seem unevenly balanced in protrusion and direction. Expecting one big nasty to be honest. Duncan