1976 CB 750 clutch grinding and far out lever at engagement

[rats]

Got a 1976 cb 750k for a steal. Clutch was slipping real bad and engaging late in the lever travel when I bought it, so I replaced all of the friction plates. I soaked the plates for a day or so in 10W-40 motorcycle oil before installing them. When I went to ride it I noticed the engagement point has not changed, and if you do release it a little quicker at higher RPM I get a grinding or squeal and a little hop before it engages. It no longer slips, so one problem I think is fixed. I pulled the clutch cover off again to just see if I missed any thing, all the oil was whipped up and white (oil if fresh too, changed back in sept. and didn't ride it too much after that) . Could the clutch not be getting enough oil? I know this is a dry sump type motor and is my first one, how would I even check for blockages??? HELP!!! Oh, and thanks in advance.

P.S. These CB's are my new favorite bike. Started one hardtail build on a frame I got for next to nothing and picked up a second as a donor for title and misc parts.

[TOOLS1]

Hey Rats, Welcome to the forum. The CBs are my favorite bikes also, but I am into the matics. I am not sure about what could be your clutch problem, but white oil usually means water is mixed with it. Could water have gotten into the oil?
Also would love to see pictures of your hardtail project.
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[rats]

When I drained the sump the oil looked as it should. Clutch area had a little oil in it, but like I said looked whipped up. I opened up my other 750 and oil looked ok in the same area. I may try switching out the clutches. Could I have gotten some crap plates??? Got them off of e-bay for about 50 bills.

[TOOLS1]

Crap plates? I don't know if crap plates would turn the oil white. The grinding noise has me wondering. Could the engine have had water in it before, you got it? If it was run with water in it it might have a bad bearing.
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[rats]

Oil in the tank and the sump look good. Never had the grinding/squeal until I replaced the clutch. It only does it under load too, not when on the center stand. I can ride it without it doing it, but if I try to get a hot start off the line (with higher RPM's) I can almost get it to do it every time. Oh and the white oil, kind of resembles grease, and is only seen under the clutch cover...I'm baffled???

[Re-run]

Could be a couple issues. You replaced the fiber plates or all of them? When the metal plates are stamped, the edge angles a bit to 1 side. All the metal plates should be installed facing the same way. If not, then things do not grip quite right. Also, you may have worn clutch springs and new honda springs may be needed. I prefer honda springs as barnetts are very heavy on the pull and unless you are racing, or have a lot of power, you don't need them.
Could also just be the brand of plates too.

[rats]

I did just read something about the metal plates being stamped with non-symetric sides, one edge sharper then the other. I may have screwed this up when replacing just the fiber discs. Does it matter which way the metal plates face, or just that the all face the same way?

[Re-run]

If I remember correctly that they should all face in but the outside plate should be your indicator.

[rats]

O.K. so here is where I'm at... I pulled apart my 75 clutch to just match it to what I'm doing on the 76. ALMOST everything was identical (and here it is) except the outer most plate. The ones I removed from the 76 had a spiral/diagonal outer most plate with a larger width tab (that grabs the outer section of the basket), and all the plates in the 75 were identical. So I did a total swap of the plates and took her for a quick short spin. It rode perfect, also seamed to have a larger friction zone. I did have the metal plates in the clutch I was having problems with facing all different directions. I matched the metal plates direction to that of the now working clutch, and installed it in my 75. I may test ride it tonight if the snow lets up. I did have to use one old plate (that spec'd out) as my outer most plate because the larger tabbed plate would not fit. So where this leaves me is with all kinds of questions. Should the plates in the 76 all be straight cut with smaller tabs or all have spiral cuts with longer tabs, or the combination (this is shown in the schematics I've seen from Honda)??? I've read about there being several different clutches/plate configurations from the factory. Another question I had was about the springs. A lot of people are talking about 31mm service at 30.5mm, the springs out of both the bikes were at 35 ish. Well that's where I'm at for now. Any thought?

RaTs

[Re-run]

Well try to ride it and see what happens. Don't change anything else till you can find out if it is better.
Only other thing I could think of is the cable is still out of adjustment or a metal plate may be warped.

[rats]

Just wanted to get back to everyone and say thanks. It looks as though it was the metal plates facing different directions that was causing the weird engagement. I've ridden a few 750's now and they have all had clutches similar to the bike I was working on. Also I'll be starting a new thread in the next few weeks with my hardtail build. I just dropped it off today for sandblasting & primer. Talk to you all soon, and thanks again!!!

Rats

[Re-run]

Nice to hear it was just the plates. Glad you got it sorted and we await your build progress.