49 EL Foot clutch

[Rooster]

(rolls eyes) Jeez.... it's not rocket science.

[Chris Haynes]

Whatever you do don't loosen it so much that it can move on its own.

Brain fart!!!!

[Sargehere]

If you NEED the sissy spring, by all means use it.

....Cotten

Cotten's right, of course. REAL men don't need that sissy spring. Or cowardly brakes installed on their bikes. That's what thick-soled motorcycle boots are made for; or unnecessary headlights at night. Real riders just feel their way through the darkness.

[panz4ever]

I recently picked up a pretty stock 49 EL. The machine still has the rocker clutch and hand shift set up. Trying to ride the thing is a real trip, as I have never in 30 some years, ridden anything with a foot clutch. Talk about feeling uncoordinated!

Could some of you foot guys offer some advice? Is the pedal supposed to be stiff, or do you back off on the friction thing? Help!
VPH-D

A bit (way bit) off your question but how about a few pics please. Trying to put a 49 EL back together myself.

[Chris Haynes]

What part of the '49 do you need pics of?

[vph-d]

Thanks again for your opinions. I haven't felt this clumsy on a bike in a long time. I guess this experience will prepare me for riding my 45 FL, if I ever get it finished. If anyone has any photos of 44/45 FL/ELs, please post them.
Thanks
VPH-D

[Neil74]

Cotton I know exactly what you're trying to say about relying on the pedal. 25 years ago or so I had just finished putting my 47 EL together and went out for a test ride. That test ride also included a few cold ones along the way. On returning to my home I parked the machine and got off with bike in gear and pedal depressed, allways worked before This time as I am unlocking the door my Linkert started to climb in rpms, I turned and grabbed the bars just as the clutch engaged. I'll remember that ride for the rest of my life, flat on my stomach and feet straight back. That Linkert was wide open and I'm dodgeing trees lying flat out, when I got the throttle shut back down I managed to kill the ignition and stopped the bike with only damaged pride. I followed the manual exactly and never repeated that misstake. Foot on clutch pedal, if removing foot allways in nuetral at a stop

[ManPan]

Yes sir, VPH-D,
Those uphill tight left hand turns from a stopped position are an adventure in themselves.. I'm sure by now, you'll agree

[flat-happy]

man pan that is the only broken bone i ever got---uphill left with a passenger on the buddy seat. just before the clutch was fully engaged the throttle cable slipped out of the set screw and it went wide open. i had a stout cam and flathead flywheels in 42F1802. i hit a 16 inch high granite curb on the other side of the road in machias maine. bent the rim and 7 spokes and broke my wrist in two places when the handlebars jerked around. i sure would like to find that bike again today. no idea what happened to it

[Rubone]

Those left handers are definitely easier with aftermarket bars (Flanders, Hellings) that get your hands higher and eliminate some of the interference. I think the worst are speedster bars on a '46 and earlier with low gear to the front of the gate!
Robbie

[kjsisterson]

My "new to me" 38 U, the clutch doesn't seem to fully disengage, toe up and it clunks into gear just a bit. What is the proper adjustment, clutch, not pedal friction.