Subject: Re: bearing damage?
Author: Todd Nordwig
Date: Apr 22, 2005, 6:19 AM
Post ID: 1718744256
| From: Patrick Hayes <peha-@comcast.net> |
The primary reason for failure of the throwout bearing is over-adjusting the clutch lever and cable too tight. The bearing is designed for intermittent use, not constant load. Very easy to tighten the clutch freeplay to zero and force this bearing to spin constantly. Won't last long that way. |
This may have contributed to the current problem. I tightened the
clutch cable late last fall, and put less than 600 miles on since I
tightened
it.
| BTW, how do you handle your bike during prolonged clutch use? You come to a traffic light that just turns red as you arrive. You know there is heavy cross traffic and it will be awhile before you get a green. Do you just sit there with you clutch hand pulled in and wait? Two minutes? Three minutes? How much effect do you think this has on the poor little bearing? If I can't predict green within 10 seconds, then I instantly shift to neutral and release the clutch to unload the bearing. |
I have done both, but the clutch pull on this bike was so stiff that I
usually
found neutral and let my had rest. That said, it doesn't mean I didn't
damage
it on other occasions......Now I know what not to do.
| Also, due to the design of the Guzzi clutch, as the friction plates wear, the throwout system moves aft and takes up any slack in the cable system. You have to be attentive to loosening up the cable play as the clutch wears. The most dramatic rate of wear occurs in the first few thousand miles after new plates are installed. Ignore the loss of freeplay and you have doomed the bearing. |
I guess it's time to get the tools out and see what kind of trouble
I can get into. Patrick, thanks so much for the information and taking
the time. Now its my turn to put in some time and figure some of
this stuff out. I appreciate all the patience......
Todd
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