So having the gasket on order, I decided to open up the transmission cover. Mine is a #3 cross head not Allen head. Tight as can be. Dang. Now I’m thinking the worst. Splitting cases and sourcing transmissions/parts.
Ya, I laid awake much of last night with it going through my mind. I actually am fairly certain it’s not the clutch. It reminds very much of the KZ1000 LTD I did. The dogs and slots on a couple of transmission gears were worn and it jumped out of gear under load.
I posted on the SOHC forum. It was suggested that there’s an Allen screw on the end of the shift barrel that holds on the gear shift side plate that has possibly come loose. Have to pull off the left side transmission cover to check. Requires having a new gasket on hand. I’ll order one today. I’ll see if they’re available at Honda. I’m sure hoping I don’t have to split the cases.
I've never had a fibre plate measure less than the spec. And I've never had a steel plate appear warped. But I've had a couple of cracked or broken fibre plates. I've replaced the springs on several clutches but not the big springs on the inner hub. I don't have the tools to change those.
In all the clutches I've ever replaced (or had out for other maintenance reasons) over the years, not once have I ever found a single metal clutch plate out of OEM spec. I've replaced the clutch diaphragm spring on both my Vulcans (those springs are a known weak point that lead to clutch slipping). In both cases, even the fibre plates measured well within spec.
Been a while since I replaced a wet multiplate clutch, a year ago. New gasket, 10mm socket, new friction plates and clutch discs, proper torque specs for the 7-9 bolts to torque it down. I’ve never replaced the springs. What viscosity of oil you running?
Ok. So I’ve ridden the bike about 300 miles. Today my grandson had a baseball game that I attended. When I left my garage, cold engine, I noticed a slight shudder as I engaged the clutch. Hmmm. I stopped and started again. No issue, so I went to the game. All seemed fine until I approached the parking lot. Leaving a stop sign, a pretty significant shudder upon clutch engagement. Damn. On the way home it occurred again with an accompanying significant rattle, which could have been the engine complaining about it. I’ve not felt this kind of shudder anytime in the past.
Should I just go ahead and replace the plates, discs, and springs? Are the parts at Vintage CB750 good quality? I guess I’ll need the special tool as well.
