Smelly clutch

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mikeydpippin
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Smelly clutch

Post by mikeydpippin »

1959 Matchless g3 350cc coil ignition.
I find this bike slower than the other equivalents, but today when riding up a very steep hill I had to get into 1st gear to get to the top of the hill.
When I get to the top, stinks of clutch burning, why would this be, the clutch wasn't used???
After cooling down for a couple of hours all was good half decent speed and no smelly clutch, it was of course downhill all the way home..
Do I need to replace or check the clutch plates, or was it the hill that caused the problem..
Mike
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by SPRIDDLER »

Mike, yes, yer clutch was slipping.
Needs adjustment at the pressure plate, and/or you've worn corks - sticking thrust rod - poorly adjusted or weak springs - contaminated plates - too many pies in the top box..........?
Last edited by SPRIDDLER on Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Which taken at the flood............'
mikeydpippin
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by mikeydpippin »

I was going fly fishing Nev had a top box full of gear ( no pies) lots of weight, maybe too much😱😱😱
I will check adjustment and if set as it should check plates 👍👍
Another pint I owe you at 2019 Jampot 👍👍
Mike
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by SPRIDDLER »

mikeydpippin wrote:I was going fly fishing Nev
mikeydpippin wrote:... it was of course downhill all the way home..
Where d'yer go fishin' then, Lake Titicaca?

I'd check the cable and pressure plate adjustment before stripping the clutch. Mind you, you may have fried the plates....... :(
'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood............'
mikeydpippin
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by mikeydpippin »

👍👍👍👍😂😂😂
Mike
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spookefoote1956
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by spookefoote1956 »

I did a similar thing on the A20 years ago. Man, what a niff! :o Mind you, the gear lever had fallen off and I was stuck in 4th!
Hail Joe Lucas ............ Prince of Darkness!
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Dave T_LAPSED
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by Dave T_LAPSED »

Stating the basic, is the clutch pushrod free and with adequate play? The cable being correctly adjusted is no guarantee, I feel condescending and don't wish to be, but you do know that don't you?
Also, on a more serious note, how many got away and how big were they??
Cheers, Dave.
mikeydpippin
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by mikeydpippin »

Dave T wrote:Stating the basic, is the clutch pushrod free and with adequate play? The cable being correctly adjusted is no guarantee, I feel condescending and don't wish to be, but you do know that don't you?
Also, on a more serious note, how many got away and how big were they??
Cheers, Dave.

2 x 3lb brown trout by the time I got home they were smoking... 😂😂😂😂
Mike
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Rob Harknett
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by Rob Harknett »

If the clutch has been slipping it and smelled, it has burned and shined up the plates. Wash them clean in petrol, dust with Fullers Earth powder. Do all the checks suggested. Clean thrust rod even if it was not sticking, set spring pressure when the adjustments have been made. Watch that the plates open evenly all round, adjust springs to make this happen, they will not all be of the same pressure.
mikeydpippin
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Re: Smelly clutch

Post by mikeydpippin »

Thanks Rob,
Appreciate your advise 👍
Mike
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