Hitchcocks Forum

Has anyone come across this problem? To get any 'bite' on the clutch on my Electra X I have to turn the adjuster screw so far in that there's no thread left for the lock nut. I suspect that the remedy is beyond my technical competence so if you can recommend a mechanic in the Manchester area please let me know.

hi nick have you got a ball in the run of your clutch pushrod?i don,t advertise my services but i do do a job or 2 for a guy from rochdale atb paul.

-------- and he's no "Cowboy" either !!

The problems with the clutch can be numerous. I'm not sure which adjuster you are talking about, the one on the handelbar. The 5 speed box is developing a habit of breaking the 3 ball push rod mechanism

Nick, one thing you can be sure of is that clutch problems are not new to this site!. For starters take a look at Adams thread, 500 iffy clutch release, from 25th June ( Page 4 of the tech message board as it stands at the mo) Sounds rather like your problem. Could also be a loose clutch hub nut perhaps.

It could be that there isn't a ball in the push rod assembly, I suppose I'd have to get into the clutch side to find out? Might be as well to get someone who knows what they're doing to check that. Happy to pay someone local. My no. is 07951312914 (Dave) A slightly longer adjuster rod would also do the trick but I don't suppose such an item is available.

Unless this problem has been there since a previous disassembly its most unlikey the ball has fallen out or otherwise vanished.

Hello Nick and Others,...Now Nick day's the adjuster is Fully IN? If This is at the Gear Box End, Then This Would Make the cable Super Slack and it Might make the cable pop out of the Arm........In all The Other Clutch Problems with Arm,Balls, Plates, We usually End Up Adjusting The Adjuster (Gear Box End) Full Out (Not In) To Compensate For the Problem that Then Reveals its Self?? So Slightly Baffled I would say "Is It The Correct cable Fitted?........And If its On The Handle Bar End This Never Had a Lock Nut (Though a Few Owners Like Me fitted One) But It Still looks Like Wrong Cable, Or Some PO Fitted The £Ball Adjusting Arm Wrong in The Outer Cover?................Nick,,"Has This Just Happened, Was it Ok Before"??...And Its Not too hard to Take Off The Outer Gear Box Cover and Look................................................TTFN

I did wonder if it might be a cable problem so I replaced it - didn't need to as it happened. Since buying the bike last year (1800 mls on the clock) I've needed to use all the adjustment available in the cable to get the right amount of tension at the handlebar end. I'm following this instruction from the Bullet service guide - 'clutch cable free play with adjuster screw1. ensure cable adjuster is fully in 2. loosen the locknut (gearbox end) 3.tighten the screw til resistance is felt 4. now loosen by 1/2 turn 5. tighten locknut. Result? no thread left for the locknut, even with some adjustment in the middle and bar sections of the cable.

My guess is the clutch basket/ hub has become loose or there is a problem with the actuating arm. Given the mileage I would guess the hub nut has worked loose or was never tightened properly. Should be easy to find out by removing primary cover and seeing if you can rock the clutch about. Step 4 backing off screw 1/2 turn is not applicable to Electra X. Just tighten until resistance felt and do lock nut up. Not that it will help until this fault is fixed.