Hey guys, I'm looking for a little insight. I tried to fire my bike up today and had a few issues, but the most disconcerting came when I tried to kick it over. I was able to take it around to TDC before wanting to give it a good kick to see if she'd sing. When I did, it was like there was no resistance at all. I'm under the assumption that it's got something to do with the clutch, but I'm not 100% sure. I tried it a few times, and I'd say it did it about 75% of the time. There's obviously something wrong. With the other issues I've seen come out of this build I can't rule anything out, but I can't imagine there would be huge clutch issues after about 8 miles. Any ideas? Thanks!

There could easily be clutch issues after 8 miles - we didn't see it as it was being rebuilt, so have no idea if it has new plates or worn out plates, a new basket or notched old basket, new springs or tired old ones, new clutch cable or worn old one, etc etc.

You description is not too descriptive either - is the clutch actually slipping, or is the kickstart end of things not actually catching so it can be kickstarted. ? Some other possibilities are that the clutch pushrod has jammed, causing the clutch to slip. And the clutch cable machanism can go over-centre, causing its own problems. And even the clutch cable can jam up, causing the clutch to be always lifted.

You will have to troubleshoot these - does pulling the clutch in feel like it is doing something, or just feel like a dead fish ? Does pulling the clutch in allow the kickstarter to feel different when kicking it over - can you hear the clutch slipping ??

hth.

Thanks for the response. Sorry about my vague description. I'm not quite sure how to explain it. Pulling the clutch absolutely does something. It makes it feel like there's nothing behind the kickstart. No, there is definitely some drag, and it's not 100% of the time, but more than 50 when I give it a good kick. If I push it lightly, it drags through pretty well. I'm not quite sure how to check the pushrods, but it's something I'm willing to do. I'm ready to get my hands dirty, but knowing is half the battle.

With regards to the build, I wasn't there either. At this point the head gasket went on the first ride after bringing home the bike and being told it was completed, and the tank which has been empty since the first ride is leaking, I wouldn't doubt anything, even a used and worn clutch being put back in.

Hi Jimmy

It could be a worn kickstart pawl inside your gear box, they are made to wear, if the gear box hasn't been rebuilt and it depends how many miles on it, I have had my Norton for 36 years and have replaced the kickstart pawl 4 times in those years, when it gives way it slips in the kickstart gear, depend on how much wear is on it some times it will ingage and other times it will just slip with no engagement of the kickstart gear, I have just replace mine in the last 2 weeks, to fix it you have to go into the inside the gear box, outer case and inter case, its only a $20 part and about 3 hours work.

Ashley

It could also be as simple as an incorrect clutch cable adjustment. Loosen it up at the cable adjuster and see if that helps. You need at least 1/8" of slack.

Then, open the big centere screw cap at the rear of the left side of the engine, knock the nut loose with a socket, turn the set screw OUT (lefty-loosey) till it's free of the puchrod by 1/4 turn, then re-snug the locknut.

Re-adjust the cable to retain only 1/8' free slack.

Should be good to go...

Thanks, guys! I'll check into both. The entire thing was supposed to have been gone through, so I'll start with the clutch adjustment, and if I have to tear it apart, I'll look at the kickstart pawl.

After a rebuild, things can need readjusting and retorquing, as they settle down.
Sounds like you....