Just when I thought I had it all worked out...
Took her CT90 out for a good workout the other day...it had been sitting for a while, and being idle is the worst thing for these, so I took it for a nice long ride; 17 miles to be precise.
About halfway through the ride, I noticed things weren't quite right...whenever I shifted into 1st from Neutral, the bike lunged a bit. I tested the clutch action and it was non-existent again...I thought I had addressed this a while ago!
Brought her home and dismantled it once again...which means draining the fuel, removing the battery, the footpegs, shifter and starter....and draining the oil. A quart of AMSOIL with less than 200 miles on it, seemed like a bit of a waste, but this is necessary in order to access the clutch.
Placed her on her side and went at it....in a few minutes, I had the side cover off and removed the retainer nut with that special socket you need to buy:
Once out of the engine, I have the clutch basket broken down and all pieces out. Check for obvious problems...verified the placement and order of all the clutch discs and re-assembled.
Back together and re-installed into engine. A few minutes later, the bike is back together and ready to be tested.
Start her up and let her reach operating temp...kick into gear, but hold shifter up...give her some gas...rear wheel spins....damn!
That's enough for today......
The following morning, after much research, I decide to tear into it again, but this time I am going to de-glaze the friction discs and measure everything with a vernier caliper. Sure enough....everything is to spec, so I re-assemble and re-install.....with the same results as before.....damn!
After venting my frustrations on the Facebook CT90 page, I got some feedback from a fellow name Mike, regarding the adjustment as depicted in the owner's manual.
He suggested that, with the engine running...I turn the adjustment screw CCW, as they mention but once I encounter resistance, to continue turning it outward, as if to activate the clutch.
Next morning, I start her up again and wait for her to warm up, then I tried his suggestion...loosen locknut...turn screw until resistance is felt, then continue past. At first, it sounds like the clutch is being disengaged when something inside POPS and suddenly, I have no resistance.
I continue to loosen the screw until I eventually encounter resistance again....another full turn from where I was...and at this point, I follow the adjustment procedure from the manual.
Mike suggested that upon re-assembly, some of the parts are not properly 'mated' together, so if an adjustment is made until one first encounters resistance, this is just where the unmatched parts impinge upon each other. By continuing to turn the screw out...these parts are forced into alignment (while the engine runs) and a more accurate adjustment is achieved.
Once I did this, to my surprise, I have a properly functional clutch once again.
So...big shout out to Mike of the FB CT90 page for the help...you saved me AND my wife's bike....and now that it's working properly, I might try another 20 mile ride tonight!
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