Mk5 Clutch Dragging

[GeoffB]

Hello
I have recently bought a 1953 Douglas Mk5, but have a problem with the clutch dragging. Once in gear, it can be ridden and changes gear OK, but at traffic halts it can be a nightmare!  I have adjusted the cable correctly, and the lever adjustment just inside the inspection plate looks OK.
I have come to the conclusion that a strip-down is necessary, but I just wanted to consult with you guys to make sure there is no 'magic fix!'  before I pull it all apart!
I have John Holme's maintenance guide, and a copy of Neville Heath's Spannerama, so pretty much know what to expect...  
Presumably you have to take engine and gearbox out of the frame together?

Thanks
GeoffB

[eddie]

Geoff,
         There is a dodge you can try before going to the trouble of removing the engine/gearbox unit. Clutch slip is more common than clutch drag, but the dodge usually works for both! Clutch slip is usually down to oil on the plate. Clutch drag is something that cropped up when we first went over to asbestos-free linings. The first generation asbestos-free linings were made of a composite material that gave off some fine dust that would accumulate on the 6 pins through the flywheel - thus causing the pressure plate to bind and tilt.
  The dodge is extremely simple. Fashion a wooden plug to block the drain hole in the bellhousing, pour about half a pint of petrol into the bellhousing via the clutch inspection plate. Kick the engine over about a dozen times to wash any rubbish off the pins, then repeat with the clutch lifted (to wash any oil off the linings).  Remove the bung and drain out the petrol. Now the important bit - pump a couple of shots of grease into the release bearing to make sure that it doesn't run dry. Run the engine to spin any remaining petrol from the clutch. Hopefully, you should now have a more co-operative clutch, if not, engine and gearbox removal will be unavoidable.

  Regards,
                Eddie.

[GeoffB]

Hi Eddie,
Thanks for your reply and advice. It sounds like a neat idea - I will give it a try.  Given the horrible ethanol in todays petrol (I use E5) that can leave deposits in carbs etc, do you think paraffin would work as well?

Thanks again
Geoff

[eddie]

Geoff,
          I know of quite a few club members who have had good results using petrol. I don't know of anyone having tried paraffin, so can't comment on whether that also works. The instruction to run the engine after draining the bellhousing is to spin as much of the petrol as possible out of the clutch before it dries and leaves any unwanted residue on the friction plate.

  Regards,
                Eddie.

[GeoffB]

Hi Eddie,
Thanks for your reply.  I will have a go with petrol - tried and trusted!    Will let you know how I get on...

Thanks
Geoff

[GeoffB]

Hi Eddie,
I have finally got round to trying your remedy for clutch dragging by flushing through with petrol, and I am delighted to say it's worked a treat!!  There seemed to be so much debris draining out that I ran the bike for a few days, and then repeated the process.  I now have a clutch that frees nicely with only a slight clonk when engaging 1st gear from a standstill. The gearchange is also much improved.   I have to be careful, because there seems to be a false neutral between 2nd and 3rd gears, and getting back into gear from here is still tricky - never mind...
So many thanks again for your advice!!

Cheers
GeoffB