K0 3 speed Clutch

[RustySkills]

I finally started working on this silver tag bike I got here in Tucson early this year.

I was hesitant to mess with it too much but decided it needed to be running. After rebuilding the carburetor and a few other small things I got it running tonight. it runs great, I was really surprised how well.

The problem is it makes noise in neutral. When running in neutral if the bike is leaned to either side it makes an RPM related metal to metal noise. I can feel vibration along with the noise.

What I put it in gear the noise is gone. When I stand it up straight the noise is almost gone and totally gone intermittently.

It rides great and is quiet in gear at cruise. I only rode it a few miles but shifting did become hard. The shifter wants to stay in gear...sticks really and it was grabby a couple times from a start,

I appreciate ideas on what this is. I'm sure the side cover needs to come off and the likely the clutch replaced along with any broken parts.

The bike has 742 miles on it but sat a long time.

Thanks! Ryan

RustySkills

 

[cjpayne]

Very nice find Rusty, VERY nice. I would definitely pull the clutch to inspect/clean it. I would bet it was never serviced. I would probably go ahead and have all the disc plates and main springs on hand to replace the old ones. No telling how much spring tension has been lost over 45 years. I, personally, wouldn't be too worried about the neutral noise unless it gets worse, but I'm no trans guru.lol. This bike looks like it would clean up to like new pretty easily. I would definitely HCSilver the engine covers and soda blast/clean the rest of the motor. High dollar wax for the rest of the bike.

 

[69ST]

That's an exceptionally well-preserved machine. With mileage that low, I'd not suspect any reason to split the cases. You noise/shifting issue is likely to be found under the clutch cover. It's time for the break-in oil spinner cleaning, anyway. Your clutch may not even need rebuild...unless you filled the crankcase with contemporary-formulation automotive oil.

The most likely source of your issues is clutch preload adjustment. It's probably too loose...resulting in the rattle you're getting and near-clutchless shifting.

As for refinishing & updating, the outer engine covers can be glass bead blasted, then repainted. If they're scar-free, a good massage with a Scotchbrite pad ought to do the prep adequately. However, keep in mind the fact that the clutch cover is part of the crankcase. So, if hard media is used, it must be completely removed from all of the internal surfaces, including the main oil passage; otherwise, the engine will be shredded. I'd blast & paint the footrest assembly and go through the fork legs. The grease in them is now years old enough to have grandkids. Cleaning & fresh grease are cheap, preventive, maintenance. The rubber fork boots likely have arthritis and could be replaced, too. Likewise, the tires & tubes; 46 year-old rubber is usually dry-rotted. The drive chain could probably stand cleaning & lubing, or replacement if rusty. Cap it off with maybe a little bit of aluminum polishing and...voila!...new-old survivor and a top specimen, at that. Congrats on your acquisition!

 

[RustySkills]

Thanks for the ideas and discussion on how best to proceed. The bike is really neat, it's 100% original. It was sitting in an enclosed trailer since 1983. I got the original registration from the guy...it was still under the seat! I scanned it - and I'll post it here. I was treating it like an "un-restored" original category and didn't want to mess with it too much. However, it looks a little rough with those side covers and wheels. I've just done a basic washing of the dust in these pictures. I needed to pull the clutch side cover anyway to clean it and paint it as you guys describe...so, I'll check out what's up with the clutch at that time.

Last night was pretty neat...rebuilt the original carburetor and after a new spark plug I was out cruising with a working high and low beam, tail light, and brake lights. The tires are of course stone-hard. Arizona is great for preserving metal and chrome...but not rubber. The rear tire was replaced I think because it has an angled tube in it. The front tire I believe is original as it still has paint marks on the bolts that hold the rim-halves together.

I changed the oil before starting it and used motorcycle oil. The noise is serious enough that it needs to be addressed. I tried adjusting the clutch but that didn't fix it. I think something is broken in there.

I like to powder coat the foot rests...AZ powder coat in Phoenix does a great job. Maybe I should stick with paint on this one since that's more original. I'll get that done too!

I'll update you guys on my progress - thanks again for the ideas. I'll take pics of what I find under the clutch cover.

 

[cjpayne]

That bike is really in awesome shape. The seatpan looks new from here. Tools are a big plus too. Not sure, but I think the K0's have a feeler gauge and specs on the outside of the bag.

 

[69ST]

Refinishing the wheels, replacing wheel bearings/tire/tubes, refinishing the footrest asm, new fork boots, refinishing the engine covers & polishing the shiny aluminum parts are all non-issues, with respect to originality. Rubber turns into a crunchy, hockey puck-like substance. Metal oxidizes and grease turns into TBLA (things best left alone). I don't even see powdercoating the footrest assembly as a negative, it's one of the few truly legit applications for that process on a CT70. Just don't make the mistake of leaving it assembled...PCd springs, pivot pins, washers, cotter pins look like .

Have to agree with you on the engine noise. That needs to be addressed before you end up reaching "the pound of cure" stage.

 

[cjpayne]

Have to agree with you on the engine noise. That needs to be addressed before you end up reaching "the pound of cure" stage.

Could be the reason it was parked?

 

[RustySkills]

Yes, it certainly could be...the previous owners had other bikes to ride


RustySkills

 

[69ST]

The intimidation factor should not be dismissed. More than once, fear of the unknown has lead to a premature (fire)sale when something went pear-shaped. A lot of machines get sold-off, over problems that are simple to fix.