Ball Bearing size for Clutch Lifter Assembly

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:47 am

I would hope you couldn't get a 15/16 ball in that hole.
Any chance you can sent pics of the frame/engine numbers?...... ...............lm

djbrown wrote:SMBH - The opening on my clutch lifter assembly is 10.5mm, I could not get a 15/16" ball in there.

48lesco - The reason to re-engineer is the pull is very hard. At a long traffic light my hand really feels it. Maybe I just need to work on my hand strength. I cleaned the entire assembly thoroughly, put in nice clean new grease and followed instructions I found in this forum (I think from Loud Mouse) to properly adjust the clutch and it is definitely improved. Although my CL450 still has a much easier pull. I realize the springs could be lightened to the Dream springs and that is most likely the long term solution. But I would like to try and see if the larger ball makes it better. I may learn something about physics in the process.

Thanks for all the help.

djbrown · Post by **djbrown** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:15 pm

LM - I can post pictures. I will try to remember when I get home tonight. Remind me if they do not show up, I also have to drive to SF tonight and I have been known to forget a thing or 2 in haste.
DB

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:21 pm

Come come now.
Pay attention!. ...:-). ........lm

djbrown wrote:LM - I can post pictures. I will try to remember when I get home tonight. Remind me if they do not show up, I also have to drive to SF tonight and I have been known to forget a thing or 2 in haste.
DB

malcolmgb · Post by **malcolmgb** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:24 pm

djbrown wrote: But I would like to try and see if the larger ball makes it better. I may learn something about physics in the process.

Why would you think the size of the ball bearing could alter the force needed to operate the clutch? the spring strength and lever length control that, by fitting weaker springs you run the risk of a slipping clutch.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:58 pm

I've had the pleasure of working on a hard to pull clutch and what I found was a steering head ball )Smaller than the required one 5/16") sop I replaced it and no longer a problem.
Why?
Sure wish I knew but I'm sure HONDA had it figured out. ....................lm

malcolmgb wrote:
djbrown wrote: But I would like to try and see if the larger ball makes it better. I may learn something about physics in the process.
Why would you think the size of the ball bearing could alter the force needed to operate the clutch? the spring strength and lever length control that, by fitting weaker springs you run the risk of a slipping clutch.

djbrown · Post by **djbrown** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:15 pm

malcolmgb wrote:

Why would you think the size of the ball bearing could alter the force needed to operate the clutch? the spring strength and lever length control that, by fitting weaker springs you run the risk of a slipping clutch.[/quote]

That's a good question, it may not matter at all. I am not at all trained as an engineer so it's as much experiment/hypothsis as anything. But in my head it makes sense that the larger surface area of the ball bearing will meet with more of the surface of the rod and make the transfer more efficient. In addition these are not aircraft tolerances so there is some small amount of movement of the rod in its shaft and the larger ball would cover that movement just a little better. It's all pretty minute though.

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 8:05 am

The wrong ball size will do nothing but throw off the adjustment. I'd check these items first:

Stock springs in the clutch?
Clean and lube the lever
Correct part number OEM cable, cleaned, routed and lubricated properly
Clutch actuator cleaned and lubricated
Clutch adjusted with the 5/16 ball - try with both cable adjusters screwed all the way in.
Engine warm and running

The pull will be a little harder than a modern bike, but I've never found it to be an issue, and I'm no superhuman... Good luck
-48