Hitchcocks Forum

Hi, before I throw my toys out of the pram, start throwing hammers at my Constellation & have a nervous breakdown.........deep breath.... how do I take the pressure plate on a scissor clutch apart? I have new springs from our hosts which I would like to fit; I can not make head or tail out of the non existent instructions in the workshop manual (or i'm blind as a bat & daft to boot), i'm going potty, somebody please help & put me out of my misery, thanks , best regards, Mark

There are 3 bolt heads between the centre of the clutch plate (where the operating arm) is and the outer edge of the plate where the 6 pressure springs sit. Undo these progressively (a bit each at a time,) as they are under pressure. That's it!

REgards, Mark

i'm definitely going potty.. unscrewed the three bolts and the whole lot comes off as a "unit" and still cant figure it out ..

Errr, it really is that simple, you're not going mad!

REgards, Mark

hahahaha cheers Mark I have literally, just a moment ago succeeded. Don't know why the wretched thing didn't want to part company with itself? I did however find a badly mangled "withdrawal pin" (lots of threads chipped & missing) & the ball bearing that sits on the end of it as rough as a , well... rough. Ordered new parts but by eck the bearing costs a bit.. bugger never mind.. have I ever mentioned i'd love to get my hands on the twit who restored this bike and chop his goolies off? I can go put all the bits away now, safe in the knowledge i'm not going potty

Marko, while you're at it, replace the 3 ball bearings in the 'release mechanism' with a size larger. I can't remember what size the originals are but I think you can go up to 1/4"? It improves the action no end. The bearing in the centre is actually the same used on Lucas magnetos, fine for spinning an armature but a clutch weighing 6lbs? I seem to recall someone did a conversion in the past but I can't remember where I read it sorry!

REgards, Mark