Laverda 350/500 stiff clutch

[F500fan]

Don't know if this has been posted before, but if your bike's clutch is getting heavier, & oiling or replacing cable didn't improve things much, & before you go pulling the clutch itself apart, take the time to remove the clutch actuator itself. It's not the most intelligent design, & over time can be a potential issue. See photos
It's easy to remove & check when you're doing chain & sprockets. The bearing might be sealed type, but that doesn't mean it can't go rusty, no matter how much love & attention you throw at the rest of it !!

 

[piranha-bro2]

That's a weird looking device - how does it work and where does it fit on the bike? And THAT one is really ugly!

 

[Vince]

Looks similar to my Atlas. The movement is rotational, but mine doesn't look like it's been in the sea for 20 years. A lot of crud around the front sprocket area. Not super impressed with the clutch cable mechanism either; if it's also like my Atlas, with its removable lower cable nipple held on with a grub screw to the cable inner, just like a Holden Car bonnet cable. WHY

 

[F500fan]

That's a weird looking device - how does it work and where does it fit on the bike? And THAT one is really ugly!

So everything within red bracket is on right side of engine in front of gearbox sprocket.
The clutch cable end barrel locates in the hook which extends to just below the right side engine cover.
Cable runs forward under engine & up front downtube. Clutch lever action pulls forwards as indicated by green arrow.
So that ugly looking upside down walking stick device rotates & pushes on plunger, (part number 6), which goes through (part number 3), then moves right side push rod (part number 1), & so on & so on, until movement through to other side disengages the clutch.
Part numbers 10 & 11 are the adjuster & lock nut.
Parts 8 & 9 are the top & bottom needle roller bearings.
Despite the bottom bearing being of sealed type, due to it's location, it is liable to gather all sorts of road dirt nasties that won't do it any good as you go about your merry way !!
The bolt (part number 12) simply locates in the groove just far enough to prevent vertical movement but not rotation.
Trouble is, there is no way of maintaining the lower bearing in a good lubricated condition without a partial, but simple strip down.
Something that should really be considered almost as routine maintenance if you're changing chain & sprockets for example.
Hope that's all as clear as day, (or mud !!), or whatever, I'm gonna go have a lie down now !!

 

[F500fan]

Looks similar to my Atlas. The movement is rotational, but mine doesn't look like it's been in the sea for 20 years. A lot of crud around the front sprocket area. Not super impressed with the clutch cable mechanism either; if it's also like my Atlas, with its removable lower cable nipple held on with a grub screw to the cable inner, just like a Holden Car bonnet cable. WHY

I'm sure someone will be on here to correct me if I'm wrong, but yes, I believe the Atlas is the same.

 

[sfcpiet]

I'd wager that part# 58 320 035 has been missing from that engine for quite some time. Said part is a shield that slots in front of the drive sprocket and holds back about 99,5% of all crap that is flung in the direction of the clutch actuating lever/shaft.

Clutch actuator on wifeys' 500 has experienced only basic maintenance over the last 40-odd years and still doesn't look like it sat at the bottom of a frog pond for a decade.

Yes, the OR600 has the same actuator as the 500.

piet

 

[F500fan]

I'd wager that part# 58 320 035 has been missing from that engine for quite some time. Said part is a shield that slots in front of the drive sprocket and holds back about 99,5% of all crap that is flung in the direction of the clutch actuating lever/shaft.

Clutch actuator on wifeys' 500 has experienced only basic maintenance over the last 40-odd years and still doesn't look like it sat at the bottom of a frog pond for a decade.

Yes, the OR600 has the same actuator as the 500.

piet

No, that shield you mention was there !
If the shield had been missing, ( if you think about it ), that would've meant that all the oil & grease the chain throws at the shield would've been thrown onto the actuator, giving it some greasy oily protection.

 

[Vince]

Having dug out that black tar-like stuff a few times over the years when replacing front sprockets, it's closer to valve grinding paste than a protective layer. I am always amazed at how much of that crap accumulates in that cavity.

 

[F500fan]

Having dug out that black tar-like stuff a few times over the years when replacing front sprockets, it's closer to valve grinding paste than a protective layer. I am always amazed at how much of that crap accumulates in that cavity.

Am beginning to think the engine was used as a boat anchor for a while, given the level of corrosion to the bearing surface to the actuator shaft ??!!

 

[Vince]

We don't get Snow or salted roads so I have never seen corrosion anywhere as bad as that.

 

[F500fan]

We don't get Snow or salted roads so I have never seen corrosion anywhere as bad as that.

Yeah, I think this bike has seen a fair few Winter miles in a previous life, with someone who, (regardless of weather), just wanted an everyday hack,, & not a pampered dry weather garage queen !!