heavy clutch action

The clutch action on my 72 Commando is heavier that it should be and I just snapped a cable. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Grooved up clutch center and short clutch pack to name a couple. Other obvious things are pinched cable and something amiss with the actuating arm.

fast21151 said:

The clutch action on my 72 Commando is heavier that it should be and I just snapped a cable. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Always been heavy? Got progressively worse?

Had a tough clutch and used these links to get it sorted (routing and lubrication in my case)

Super Tough Clutch http://www.accessnorton.com/super-tough-clutch-t5935.html
Hard to pull Clutch Ideas http://www.accessnorton.com/hard-pull-clutch-ideas-t9256.html
Clutch Adjustment http://www.nortonownersclub.org/noc-chat/technical4-commando-forum/993784044

Hi,
Ive got a stiff clutch compared to some of my friends commandos.
I have improved it with a new cable, cleaning the grooves with a toothbrush & petrol, better routing & oiling the screw holding the lever in place.
One of the lads said an extra metal plate in it makes it easier.
Maybe I will try this by borrowing a spare plate 1st & giving the bike some hard riding.
We are off to Scarborough on The Nortons next weekend for a ride with the Roadholder editor.
Weather forcast is looking good so it will hopefully be a good ride out.
It was really windy last weekend on the motorway but the stains have now come out of my underwear.
Must have done nearly 300 miles last weekend on it without any probs at all.
£652 well invested back in 1973.
Cheers

Wahoo.! Use a THICK clutch cable. BIG , Beefy, large,enjoy.

Dyno Dave wrote up a great explanation of Commando clutch issues, with possible fixes:

http://atlanticgreen.com/ndnsclutch.htm

Old Britts has an article on adding a shim to the clutch pack if necessary but I would make sure all your adjustments are right and the routing is good first.

Dave
69S

When the diaphragm-spring clutch was first introduced, it was a major improvement over the previous multple coil spring design. IIRC, the Commando clutch only needed about 2 pounds handle pull compared to about 8 pounds on the Atlas/650SS. I was riding a 650SS to work, then testing the Commando so I saw that difference every day.

There's certainly something significant amiss if you can pull hard enough to break the cable.

I haven't done much hands-on wrenching on the Commando - we had full-time mechanics to do that - and I don't remember any major clutch-related problems during the test program, even after doing full throttle standing starts every half mile for a couple of days. We did have to adjust for wear during those tests, but the final drive chain took most of the abuse.