[mpcycledesign]

Sorry - the manual was no help, and I couldn't find this in the search. The clutch housing is the large basket that houses all the clutch plate parts. There is a large gear on the back of the housing that fits into 2 gears in the engine compartment. The 2 gears are not in alignment which is preventing the clutch housing to be fully inserted. Is there a way to slip the clutch housing into these gears without taking the front engine cover off? This for a 1981 CX500 - I really appreciate everyone's help!!!!

 

[nolimitz]

try rotating the cam a bit on front of engine to align gears. wiggle and hold your tongue out just right

 

[mpcycledesign]

Gosh darn - didn't even think about that - thanks!!!

 

[reclinedrelic]

See this thread Clutch basket won't fit back on

 

[mpcycledesign]

Thanks!!!

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

try rotating the cam crank a bit on front of engine to align gears. wiggle and hold your tongue out just right

I dealt with this last summer. When rotational pressure is applied to make the teeth on the primary gears align, friction between the primary and clutch gear teeth prevents the clutch sliding into place. Applying some molybdenum disulfide assembly lube to the teeth on the clutch gear helps it slip by.

 

[CXPHREAK]

Since the clutch isn't a timed component it is easiest to just rotate the crank until the backlash gear teeth match those of the primary gear at roughly 3 oclock where the clutch teeth engage.

Then the clutch just slides in.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

Sorry. For some reason, I was thinking of the 650 clutch with the spring loaded subgear on the clutch housing.

 

[CXPHREAK]

Sorry. For some reason, I was thinking of the 650 clutch with the spring loaded subgear on the clutch housing.

Same/same really. Only the location of the anti backlash gear differs.

 

[D-Fresh]

Is that what that 2 gear setup is for, taking up backlash?

 

[CXPHREAK]

Is that what that 2 gear setup is for, taking up backlash?

Yes.

 

[D-Fresh]

I always wondered, thanks.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

Same/same really. Only the location of the anti backlash gear differs.

I don't think so.
The split primary gear on the 500 has different numbers of teeth (31 and 32, if I recall) with friction drag taking up lash at the gear interface.
The split gear on the 650 clutch is spring loaded to provide tension at the interface. The subgear doesn't rotate around the clutch.

 

[CXPHREAK]

Didn't say it did, but each achieves the same end.