An odd modification, with no real reason to do it other than a lack of willingness to source and use the correct components, which are widely available...Slow moving traffic would be a situation where you may well ride the clutch for example...And I wouldn't recommend trying it on Gold Star with a RRT2 gearbox..:laughing:...
I consider this is both an unnecessary and ill conceived modification with a high probability it would be problematic in the real world...Ian
A job suitable for time when it was done
his was Australia where the road traffice was fairly light
The drum mod is one I have done several times in order to resurect sawtooth slots in chainwheels & when done properly works a treat.
And no never done a bronze bush replacement for the balls but the 6 sprig is fundamentially a poor design requiring the drum to move which of course then has it out of alignment with the primary sprocket .
OTOH
I quickly acquired te skill of doing clurchless gear changes and slipping the bike into neutral before coming to ma stop.Now days that is illegal in NSW
We are supposed to sit at traffic lights in first gear holding the clutch in with one hand & holding both brakes on which of coure leave only 1 foot to be on the ground balancing the bike which is "fun" if there is a strong gusty side wind blowing.
The purpose of posting was to let Shane know it is not the first time this has been done and it will not cause the planets to stop revolving if he was to continue to ride his bike as is while he is sourcing correct parts .
In the days when these bikes are very much toys it is easy to forget that not all that long ago they were daily transport
SO the idea of the bike sitting idle for a week or two while the owner sourced the correct parts was totally foreign as it HAS to be running tomorrow or I can not get to work.
I've seen refurbishment of the clutch drum slots using the method you describe...I've also seen them welded and cleaned up to achieve the same result...That certainly extends the life of the clutch drum, though getting a full set of symmetrical slots is unlikely and in that case an unequal load is then applied to the clutch plate tangs/slots ensuring a rapid return of the same problem...That said it's a workable solution...
My criticism was of the conversion to a plain bush instead of rollers...I didn't make that clear in my post. I don't think it's a good solution as it is prone to failure without constant consideration of clutch use...I did also note one circumstance where slipping the clutch is common, apart from the fact that is done momentarily every time you pull away or when selecting neutral...There might be lubrication issues as well if the bush clearance was held to anything like a bearing tolerance and oil levels in the (leaky) primary chain case were not studiously maintained..If more clearance was used then the operation of the clutch would be no better than that provided by worn bearings etc...
Sorry, it's just my opinion but I'd never accept that as a good modification...I'd be more inclined to looking at modifying the clutch etc. to fit a ball bearing instead of loose rollers. I did exactly that to enable a Triumph clutch to be fitted to my WB30 and in terms of free play of the clutch drum etc. it was an improvement over the original set up...Shouldn't any modification be at least as good as the original arrangement?...Otherwise things are just going backwards....Ian
wm20
I thought everyone came to a stop in neutral because it's the sensible thing to do. I haven't heard about having to stay in gear with the clutch in at lights, don't have to do it in SA but I suppose they'll get around to it. I always ride with a spare clutch cable, now I'll have to carry 2. The local authorities here's particular interest is to slap ever lower speed limits on any road they can find.
I've heard of that ridiculous practice being taught my motorcycle instructors in the UK...There is no logical reason to 'sit on the clutch' at a junction that I can deduce...I generally select neutral as I come to a halt and always have done...Ian
I saw the sitting in gear approach advocated on an American site. The idea is that you're ready to drop the clutch & get out of oncoming danger. I hae ma doots.
I don't recall having to do that in 52 years of motorcycling and about a trillion stops at junctions....However, I think you should stare upwards as well in case something drops out of the sky....:small_airplane: :comet: :laughing: ...Ian
