Clutch Adjustment Cover (plug?)

Paul Giusti · May 26, 2022

Hi Guys,

I am kind of embaressed to ask this question but I need to adjust my clutch and can't for the life of me get the adjuster cover unscrewed from the sidecase. I tried the biggest screwdriver I have to twist it, and then tried tapping it loose with a chisel and deadblow hammer, but no luck. I do admit I am sheepishly tapping it as the last thing I want to do is crack that aluminum side cover! Thanks for both any suggestions and not snickering!

Best,
Paul
1975 MK III Roadster

concours · May 26, 2022

1" flat washer & a 10" adjustable

Paul Giusti · May 26, 2022

concours said:
1" flat washer & a 10" adjustable

Brilliant! (as I slap my forehead and yell "doh!") Thank you very much!!!!

ashman · May 26, 2022

Give it a good spray of penetrating lube and with your biggest screw driver put the blade sideways in the slot and use the long handle as a lever and it should come free, no need for special tools to do this, they do get tight but I usually pull the cover off as if the clutch needs adjusting is a good time to check every thing else and a good time to pull the clutch plates out for a good clean and inspection, its not a hard job to do and part of general maintenance.

Ashley

Derek Wilson · May 27, 2022

FWIW - I made this tool out of a piece of 3/16” flat bar. Works great on both plugs. Can be used with a screwdriver or an adjustable wrench.

I recently had to sand it a bit thinner to suit later replacement plugs with narrower slots.

Bernhard · May 27, 2022

On your alloy clutch case pour some boiling hot water to "expand" oround the screw 'ole. . . .

concours · May 27, 2022

Derek Wilson said:
FWIW - I made this tool out of a piece of 3/16” flat bar. Works great on both plugs. Can be used with a screwdriver or an adjustable wrench.

View attachment 95653

I recently had to sand it a bit thinner to suit later replacement plugs with narrower slots.

Field tomahawk as well?

concours · May 27, 2022

Motion Pro Timing Plug Wrench - RevZilla

The Motion Pro Timing Plug Wrench is a 3-in-1 tool that is designed to work with hard-to-reach timing plugs without damaging them.

www.revzilla.com

Paul Giusti · May 27, 2022

You guys are awesome!

Thank you everyone that responded. All great replys. I have a 1000 mile ride coming up at the end of June, the "Norcal Moto Melle" so may be a good idea to pull of the sidecase and check the clutch. I can clean the plates and spline up and make the clutch pull a little easier as well.

Since we are on the subject of cluthes I have seen a couple of suggestions for the Venhill "Featherlight" clutch cable. Does anyone have experiance with this part? Specificly will it fit my 75' Mk III without modification?

Thanks again,
Paul

Derek Wilson · May 27, 2022

concours said:
Field tomahawk as well?

I don't give up my secrets...

concours · May 27, 2022

Paul Giusti said:
You guys are awesome!

Thank you everyone that responded. All great replys. I have a 1000 mile ride coming up at the end of June, the "Norcal Moto Melle" so may be a good idea to pull of the sidecase and check the clutch. I can clean the plates and spline up and make the clutch pull a little easier as well.

Since we are on the subject of cluthes I have seen a couple of suggestions for the Venhill "Featherlight" clutch cable. Does anyone have experiance with this part? Specificly will it fit my 75' Mk III without modification?

Thanks again,
Paul

Be aware of the erronious published torque value for the nut securing the clutch hub. 40 ft.lbs. with loctite works well. Also, upggrade to the MKIII circlip made of thicker material.

EstuaryBoy · May 27, 2022

Paul Giusti said:
You guys are awesome!

Thank you everyone that responded. All great replys. I have a 1000 mile ride coming up at the end of June, the "Norcal Moto Melle" so may be a good idea to pull of the sidecase and check the clutch. I can clean the plates and spline up and make the clutch pull a little easier as well.

Since we are on the subject of cluthes I have seen a couple of suggestions for the Venhill "Featherlight" clutch cable. Does anyone have experiance with this part? Specificly will it fit my 75' Mk III without modification?

Thanks again,
Paul

I fitted one to my Mk3 a couple of years ago (courtesy RGM) with no problems, assuming you get the correct length regarding handlebar type....
Couldn't bring myself to display the 'featherlight' sticker included with, mind you

L.A.B. · May 27, 2022

Paul Giusti said:
I have seen a couple of suggestions for the Venhill "Featherlight" clutch cable. Does anyone have experiance with this part? Specificly will it fit my 75' Mk III without modification?

I have a Venhill Featherlight clutch cable on my Mk3, no modification required.
There were a few problems with the early Venhill USA cables.

Adjusting the clutch plate stack height will give the cable and your hand an easier time.

ELLIS · May 28, 2022

L.A.B. said:
I have a Venhill Featherlight clutch cable on my Mk3, no modification required.
There were a few problems with the early Venhill USA cables.

Adjusting the clutch plate stack height will give the cable and your hand an easier time.

I have fitted a few Venhill clutch cables to Commandos and i have allways ended up with the handlebar lever at 10lbs pull. This gives you a one finger clutch lever pull. I set the clutch adjuster to a quarter of a turn back from contacting the push rod and never had any problems with the clutch. Bye the way i allways use RGM bronze hi torque plates.

ELLIS

gortnipper · May 29, 2022

Put some anti seize on the threads before you install these.

Clutch Adjustment Cover (plug?)

Paul Giusti

concours

Paul Giusti

ashman

Derek Wilson

Bernhard

concours

concours

Motion Pro Timing Plug Wrench - RevZilla

Paul Giusti

Derek Wilson

concours

EstuaryBoy

L.A.B.

Moderator

ELLIS

gortnipper

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