New clutch install issue

I just about have my 70 Norton 750s finished. I am having an issue with the clutch. When I pull clutch lever in alittle and move the kicker down, the engine turns like it should. However if I pull clutch lever more than 80 percent, The engine stops turning over and kicker goes down with no pressure on it. I have the cable set up with slight play as manual says. Also it sounds like something is slipping inside clutch basket. I do not have a belt drive. I put new Barnett plates in, not an extra plate either. I have all the shims in place as described. Is it possible to have "over pull" on a clutch? I torqued nut to 40 pounds not 70. Put in a new circlip behind cupped spacer and replaced the two dowels in the plate that previously had them. I do not have the rear wheel installed because it is being relaced. Any advice on where to start looking for problem?

When I pull clutch lever in alittle and move the kicker down, the engine turns like it should. However if I pull clutch lever more than 80 percent, The engine stops turning over and kicker goes down with no pressure on it.

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perhaps you worded the problem wrongly?

when you pull the handlebar clutch lever in a "little" as you say then you are separating the clutch plates and yes the kickstart will rotate the motor, and yes when you pull the clutch in a lot, like the 80% then of course the clutch plates are released and the kick start will go down without resistance and the motor cannot rotate

so, based on what you said, everything is working as it should, can you try to reword the question or the problem better?

So maybe I do not have an issue after all. I have never owned a Norton, Just
Harleys and custom choppers. None had kickers. So when you kickstart a Norton you do not pull the clutch in? That makes sense if your right hand is on the throttle. You just make sure its not in gear?

Everything sounds normal there. It is usual to pull the clutch lever in and push the kicker down before starting when the bike's been standing for a while, just to free the plates, it helps to reduce the "crunch" due to sticking plates when you select first gear!

just shows what harleys and choppers can do to a human being..

Oh , this has made me feel stupid sooooo many times! The clutch disengages the engine from the transmission. So when you pull it in and kick it over, you're just turning the gearbox, not the engine.
Center stand, neutral , tickle, ignition, Big kick! Vrooom!
It's the worst when you try to start it at the pub and everyone's watching when you do that!

I remember when some (other brands) bikes advertised "primary kick" as method of starting. A kind of safety feature, so if you should stall it in traffic, you wouldn't waste precious seconds fishing for nuetral before kicking. Simply pull the clutch lever in and kick.

Norton isn't like that. Must be in nuetral, clutch engaged. Follow the flow of kicking power... only way to the crank is through the clutch and primary chain.

It's normal as you observe.

But there is much more...

http://atlanticgreen.com/ndnsclutch.htm

http://atlanticgreen.com/clutchpak.htm

Thanks Dave!

So maybe I do not have an issue after all. I have never owned a Norton, Just
Harleys and custom choppers. None had kickers. So when you kickstart a Norton you do not pull the clutch in? That makes sense if your right hand is on the throttle. You just make sure its not in gear?

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no, you do not have a problem, everything is working as it should

and yes, you do want to make very sure the tranny is in neutral before kicking

and one more thing, you never "jab" at the kick start lever, there is a pawl in the gearbox that can snap
but instead you get the kickstart lever at about the 10 O'clock position and once you have some of your leg weight on it you never take it off and jab downwards, keep the weight on it, rise up as if you are standing up and almost lock your knee so the joint is strong and stable, then strongly put all your weight on you almost locked leg and drive the kicker downwards, you are trying to get the motor to rotate a couple of turns so the plugs fire to start, you do know about tickling the carbs just so they begin to leak a little gas, right?

Dave, This is an interesting post. It indicates to me just how much old bikes educate people. I think that in twenty years time the bikes will all have to be made wholly out of injection moulded plastic, otherwise the kids won't be able to cope with them.

acotrel said:

Dave, This is an interesting post. It indicates to me just how much old bikes educate people. I think that in twenty years time the bikes will all have to be made wholly out of injection moulded plastic, otherwise the kids won't be able to cope with them.

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I've had at least two bikers come up to me and say that they never knew that there were motorcycles that shifted with the right foot :shock:
Both times I quickly had two sensations: The sense that I was getting old and some joy that I was doing a little bit to spread knowledge of the old bikes.

ommief said:

acotrel said:

Dave, This is an interesting post. It indicates to me just how much old bikes educate people. I think that in twenty years time the bikes will all have to be made wholly out of injection moulded plastic, otherwise the kids won't be able to cope with them.

Click to expand...

I've had at least two bikers come up to me and say that they never knew that there were motorcycles that shifted with the right foot :shock:
Both times I quickly had two sensations: The sense that I was getting old and some joy that I was doing a little bit to spread knowledge of the old bikes.

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Yeah! I let my 22-year-old son take the old girl around the neighborhood so he could enjoy the hearty torque as compared to his four-banger, and all he could say was "that's a lot of work!" But, he did enjoy it after all.