VLD clutch

[Joseph.Greiner]

I am working on a 1935 VLD and trying to get the clutch working properly. From what I can see the clutch is not releasing so I removed the clutch pack and put it in an arbor press to test. My question is how much force should it take to release the plates? I am 250lbs and it will not budge on the press. The springs are not coil bound, the screws are even with the bottom of the plates. It's only 6 screws, a little hard to assemble wrong, and ideas helpful.

Thanks, Joe

[Robert Luland]

You definitely screwed something up. Take it apart and put up some photos as you take it apart. Something is wrong in the assembly. 30 pounds should have moved it. Bob L

[Joseph.Greiner]

Thanks Bob, sometimes we need it straight up.

I took it apart today and after pulling all of the screws and springs off I found my problem. The 3 pins that go through the drive pressure plate (not sure if that is the correct terminology) are not straight. They were locking the two pressure plates together. After some careful examination I found that the outer pressure plate is bent at the points where the pins are peened into it.

So I definitely screwed it up, by not checking it over closely enough before putting it together. Harbor vintage had one for sale on their ebay store so when it arrives I will post up some assembly pictures and hopefully have this bike on the road.

Thanks again.

[Joseph.Greiner]

I received my drive and driven plates and re-assembled my clutch, but it still will not release. I am thinking that the springs are compressed too far, they are near coil bind.

They are assembled with a new clutch pack, 3 friction plates and 2 steel. The clutch pack measures 1 5/16" thick.

The spring sectors are assembled per Steve Slocombe's book (The same as the rest of the bike), with the sectors, spring top hats for the outers, then the 3 springs, 2 more top hats for the outer springs, then the inner clutch disc.

Clearly I am messing up 6 screws, I am just at a loss as to how. Hopefully thsee pictures will help.

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[harleytoprock]

With your arbor press test, is the assembly supported by the round backside center hub area?

[Joseph.Greiner]

Yes it is.

[Robert Luland]

I might be barking up the wrong tree but are you sure that clutch pack is suppose to have three friction plates and two steel. I just looked in the book and it calls for one steel plate 2487-30 1930-36 74 and 80 twins? Which in turn would be two friction. Never owned one. Hope this helps. Bob L

[Joseph.Greiner]

I just double checked "The Book" on this, it is showing 3 friction plates and 2 steel. My parts count at least is matching Steve's on page C-2, step 16.

I took it apart again, verified my spring sectors are flat and the screws are parallel when installed without the springs. I will measure the screw lengths tomorrow because that is all I can think of at this point in time.

[Steve Slocombe]

The clutch spring screws are about 2" long under the heads. The springs can become coil bound, and I'm making new ones now with half a turn less in the coils. Let us know what fixes it for you.

[Joseph.Greiner]

I believe I found the issue, my screws are a little short.

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Looks like I am on the hunt for some new ones. If I could only remember who I ordered them from I would like to let them know to check their stock.

Thanks for all of the advice and help.
Joe

[wideglide38]

Joe,
Check with Clete or Bart at Old Dude Vintage parts (http://www.olddude.com/) or Rat (Dave) at Harbor Vintage (http://harborvintage.com/).
William

[exeric]

Or Steve Slocombe @ VL Heaven.

[Joseph.Greiner]

I tracked down who I ordered them from, V-twin. Must have been a goof up on the metric conversion. Lesson painfully learned on this one.

At least this had me look closer at the clutch discs, and I was lucky enough to find them both for sale.

[Steve Slocombe]

Yup it's me making the new clutch spring screws with the forged locking dogs in the head. Does no-one ever send stuff back to V-Twin?

[duffeycycles]

All the time...and they listen to me...after a few run ins with the return police