Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Information relating to the Matchless G3 or AJS Model 16 350cc Heavyweight
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Taid
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Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by Taid »

If I leave the bike standing for over a day, the next time I start it I have first to free the clutch by pulling the clutch lever and then pushing the kickstart.

The clutch is really tight and it takes a fair bit of effort.

The primary chain case has the correct amount of (fresh) oil ..

I know that this is a known condition, but wonder what is actually happening, and is it a precursor to further trouble down the line?
___

Now sold ... 1956 AJS 16MS Bitsa .. HSU 414 .. rebuilt/re-registered 1987
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dave16mct
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by dave16mct »

I always have to do this on my bikes. Doesn't everyone? :D
Dave.
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Taid
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by Taid »

dave16mct wrote:I always have to do this on my bikes. Doesn't everyone? :D
Dave.
when I had my previous one (in 1955/6) I don't recall it happening .. but that was a while ago ..
___

Now sold ... 1956 AJS 16MS Bitsa .. HSU 414 .. rebuilt/re-registered 1987
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dave16mct
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by dave16mct »

Because your 55/56 would have a Burman clutch which are not as prone to sticking. Your '57 will have an AMC clutch which do stick (in my experience). Just take a few seconds to free off, not a problem.
Dave.
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Taid
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by Taid »

dave16mct wrote:Because your 55/56 would have a Burman clutch which are not as prone to sticking. Your '57 will have an AMC clutch which do stick (in my experience). Just take a few seconds to free off, not a problem.
Dave.

It's not a 57, though it does have a 57 engine (56 frame) but a Burman gearbox and as far as I can tell a Burman clutch ..

But whatever , if it's the 'norm', I'll (try to) cease worrying about it ..
___

Now sold ... 1956 AJS 16MS Bitsa .. HSU 414 .. rebuilt/re-registered 1987
alanjennings
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by alanjennings »

In my old british bikes you allways freed the clutch prior to engaging first gear-semi wet clutches stick-especially when left standing as many of our bikes do these days for weeks!
Alan [Morini] Jennings
JEAN-NOEL
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by JEAN-NOEL »

I use ATF in the the primary, and the clutch works very nicely. But with a tin chaincase...
MalcW
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by MalcW »

Standard procedure on my bike.

Malc
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Pharisee
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by Pharisee »

The clutch on my '68 Triumph Tiger 90 was very prone to sticking. Unfortunately, the 350cc twin didn't have enough compression to free the clutch and kicking it with the clutch lever in just turned the engine over. That made engaging first gear on the first start of the day problematic. I had to start it on the centre stand and let the oil drag in the gearbox start to spin the rear wheel. Then I could engage first gear with a minimum of 'crunching'. Once in gear, I could hold the clutch lever in, and apply the rear brake to free the clutch.
In the end, I stripped out the old, original, clutch plates and replaced them all, friction and plain, with Italian Surflex plates. That cured the problem, though why they should be any different, I don't know.
John
I'm from the Fens.... Gimme six.
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clive
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Re: Yet another trivial question .. sticking clutch ..

Post by clive »

I have 3 bikes currently running with between them Burman CP and B52 boxes and 2 with AMC boxes, I don't have to free any of them.
clive
if it ain't broke don't fix
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