Hitchcocks Forum

just finishing putting everything back together on my 2002 350. Put new seals in gearbox and new clutch. Will admit that I had parts all over the place, but don't seem to have any extras. Correct me if I am wrong, but I recall the clutch operating rod was extended through the cap (over the nut for the main bearing), but now it is essentially flush with the outer rim of the hole it goes through in the cap. Haven't put the outer cover on because I don't believe the clutch will work in this state. On this bike the clutch rod was in three pieces (two long and one short - the parts manual also shows a ball bearing that I don't recall nor can I account for. Could the rod appear short because I am missing the ball bearing? I know, I should have been more careful and taken more photos, but I didn't and here I am.

yes im afraid you've dropped a ball.....

Makes sense, as the loss of the ball bearing between the rods would loose me about 1/4 inch? What size ball bearing would I need?
Thanks, Dean

The same as the diameter of the rod.

looks like 1/4 inch. Does it matter where the ball bearing goes in the order of the rods? The parts manual has it between the long rod and the short one.

no dean , and in fact you could shorten/harden one of the rods and insert 2 x balls

personally I would set a system of 2 x rods with 1 ball in the middle (less surfaces to be worn)

found that little bugger of a bearing hiding under the lift and the clutch works fine
thanks

------------ slippery little rascals, aren't they ??