AJS 350 1954, Maintenance Manual And Instruction Book, Page: 49 / 96

Correct adjustment of the clutch operating mechanism is of the utmost importance and
the following instructions must be carefully observed.
Clutch cable stretch, which may develop at long intervals, is taken up by means of the
adjuster provided at the gear box end of the cable, but when making this adjustment it
is important that the normal movement of the internal lever is not encroached upon.
The correct procedure is to remove the gear box oil filler plug which exposes the
internal lever. The end of this lever to which the cable is attached must then be pressed
backward with the finger or end of a screw driver and while thus held, all slack in the
cable should be taken up by means of the adjuster.
Having done this, the amount of free movement of the internal lever at the end where
the cable is attached must be carefully checked. This is best done by applying light
backward pressure to the lever end, as already described, at the same time operating
the handlebar Sever. The correct free movement is
8
to
x
inch. It should be explained
that the free movement is readily felt on the handlebar lever by reason of the greatly
increased effort required as the clutch commences to disengage,
As the result of wear of the clutch plate fabric inserts, the plates tend to close up towards,
each other. This closing up has the effect of reducing the free movement referred to.
Clutch slip resulting from lack of free movement will rapidly ruin the inserts and may
generate sufficient heat to soften the clutch springs. Therefore should clutch slip occur
immediately examine for free movement of the internal operating lever.
To adjust this free movement it is necessary to remove the domed clutch cover (secured
by eight screws) when the screwed adjusting plug fitted to the centre of the clutch
pressure plate will be exposed. The lock nut securing this screwed adjusting plug is of
sparking plug size and can therefore be loosened for adjustment, and subsequently
securely tightened by means of the sparking plug box key provided in the tool kit,
Then, to check the free movement of the internal lever, apply backward pressure as
described and observe the movement at the extreme end of the lever before resistance
is felt. The correct amount of movement, as stated is
8
to
x
inch measured at the end
of the operating lever.
A careful study of illustrations 14 and 15 will help considerably in making the foregoing
instructions readily understandable.
To remove a clutch control cable
Remove the oil filler cap from the kick-starter case cover.
Screw right home the clutch cable adjuster that is located In the top of the kick-starter
case cover.
Disengage, from the operating lever, the clutch cable inner wire by operating through
the oil filler cap opening.
Completely unscrew the clutch cable adjuster.
Disengage, from the handlebar operating control lever, the clutch inner wire.
Pull cable, by its lower end, til! removed from the machine, easing it through the frame
cable clips while doing so.
To replace a clutch control cable
Reverse the above instructions and, finally, adjust as detailed earlier.
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