Hitchcocks Forum

Hi. I've recently purchased a second-hand 500cc Electra X which I'm really enjoying, apart from the clutch that is.

It seems that whatever I do to the clutch adjustments – both cable and internal – the clutch is incredibly heavy. It's certainly rideable, but I'm going to end up with Pop Eye's left arm!

It's also reluctant to go into neutral when stationery (when running) as if the clutch isn't engaging properly, but the more I adjust it to alleviate this problem, the heavier it gets.

It's unlikely that the clutch itself is at fault as the bike's only done 1500 miles (and has been well looked after).

Has anyone else come across this problem on this particular model? (all I can find on the internet is similar problems on other models which have different clutches).

Thanks in advance for any help/advice!

I have disability problems with my hands and a light clutch is essential. The clutch operation on my 1996 Electra X (ish) is light.
Have you tried taking the clutch cable "out of the bike" so it goes straight from the clutch lever to where it enters the other end and the cable is "out in the air."

If that improves matters the run the cable normally takes means it has got too tight a bend in it somewhere or it getting trapped.

Reluctance to go into neutral is clutch drag and means either the clutch itself needs adjusting (plates etc), the cable/operating lever needs adjusting or possibly the wrong oil in the chaincase.

The stiffness problem could be in the cable itself so i would make sure it's lubricated properly and there are no sharp kinks.

You're not comparing this to a modern bike are you? If so it will feel stiff.

Correction to my last should read 2006 Electra X (ish).

If the cable checks out ok, make sure the pushrod is straight by rolling it on a mirror/sheet of glass.

If you take the pressure plate off, do this anyway.

It's in three pieces with a ball bearing between two of them.

Thanks for all your help guys. It looks like I'll have to get into this deeper and dismantle the clutch. I've had a closer look this afternoon and the cable is fine and having removed both engine casings (either side of the engine) everything appears as it should, i.e.; nothing is obviously broken, missing, buckled, dislodged, etc. Regarding how heavy it actually is; I am used to 'vintage' bikes and understand that these aren't like 'modern' bikes, but I'm having to use all my strength to pull the lever in all the way. Something is definitely not right :-/

Something is definitely binding if the clutch needs that much effort to operate it, and you reckon the cable an operating bits are fine. The only thing I can think of is that some 5 speed boxes used 5mm diameter pushrods and ball bearings for the clutch, others used 1/4" diameter with the gearbox mainshaft bored out accordingly. I hope someone hasn't tried fitting oversize pushrods or ball bearings in a 5mm bore mainshaft.



A.

I've used this method to check for binding or rough operation.
Remove the primary cover and clutch springs.
Press on the clutch pressure plate with your right hand and work the clutch lever.
Any linkage binding or friction can be felt as the plate moves in and out.

Perhaps the last owner installed heavy springs. I had tried these but they were way too strong.

Leave home in the morning, first junction 'dink' into neutral. Select first (easy), by the time 15 miles is over I am fighting with with the clutch and praying the cable won't break. Leaving work is exactly the same. Numerous cables have broken, up-grade operating mechanism broken, various oils in primary tried, new clutch push rods and bearing fitted, new Indian plates fitted, Barnett plates fitted, primary apart every 3 weeks (ish) for clean and check, D.T.I. on everything that goes round, every nut and bolt checked, different combinations of springs tried, primary and final drive chains adjusted and obviously clutch and cable adjustment done, re-done, et-al. After ten years I think I have got used to it's 'quirkiness and uniqueness'.

I have had similar problems with a clutch, (not on an Enfield," I cured it by de-burring the cage slots and making sure they were smooth and doing the same with the tangs on the clutch plates.
(I suspect that could be a problem from new with some Enfields.)