cb400 clutch rebuild issue

hi gents

we have swapped engines in the cb400t (1980, 2 cylinder)
and in the process pulled the clutch out, checked plate thicknesses etc

put it all back together
hooked up the clutch cable, and there is bugger all resistance
the clutch isnt doing anything

pulling the cover off the engine, i can still jiggle the clutch plates
seems odd, im pretty sure that the springs should be holding those under tension yeah?

the manuals (i have 2 manuals i got with the bike) are pretty much useless
have been reading mentions online about making sure the basket is "indexing" properly
not sure how to check this, there arent any marks or anything that should be lining up

anyways, i tighten up the springs with the bolts that go down the guts of them
and there is no pressure being applied to the plates, it almost looks like the springs are fully compressed too
i definitely have the correct number of plates * spacer plates
somethings not right

PLEASE HELP, running out of time pre-afr [xx(]


can post some pics tonight if that helps

If you are certain you have the correct number of pressure / friction plates in the right way then it could be the clutch centre not sitting correctly in the basket. A lot of them only go in one way (although they look like they can go in any way and you can do up the springs).

Take the springs off and try all the different positions for the centre. You should (hopefully) find one that slots in deeper and your problem will be solved.

Here's what it should look like (the clutch centre is # 3):

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/q...12e08_d4e6.jpg

thanks mate, I think that's it

Cos the outer seems right
Shall let u know

good one hillsy

you know what?
i pulled it apart for the 4th time last night just after midnight
carefully made sure items 3 to 8 were all together properly, held them tightly and put them into item 1
jiggled it around til it was on all the way, then jiggled it more and got it in some more

did up the nut (13)
then went to bed defeated
couldnt get it out of my head all day

and you know what? i had it sorted!!!
just went out and put the springs and pressure plate on
chucked the cover on without the gasket just to try it out and its sweet


oh dear

oh,and anne says to say your advices was "the tits"

anyhoo, off to put it all together and let the goo set for tomorrow mornings test ride

wouldnt be an afr unless there was a last minute rush at fimpHQ :D

good to hear mate ! i was trying to work that one out 2!! spot on hillsy
see ya tomoz guys

The same thing happened to me on an XJ a while back and I was scratching my head until it twigged, so I figured Honda might have the same set-up.

Glad I could help ;)

Same on my TLR moteur