To Adjust the Clutch
If it is noticed that the clutch is slipping and will not hold properly when pulling hard, it should be adjusted at once.
Before turning the adjusting screws make sure that the adjustment of the clutch lever is correct as explained in the following paragraphs.
If the clutch lever has no free motion when in the extreme forward position the clutch will slip. Therefore see that this adjustment is correct before tightening the adjusting screws. The clutch will not hold even though the adjusting screws are tightened, if the adjustment of the clutch lever is not correct. On the other hand, the clutch will not release if the hand lever has too much play. To insure that the clutch holds and releases properly the clutch hand lever must have ½ inch to 3/4 inch free motion at the top end when it is in the extreme forward position.If the clutch lever of a three-speed model has no free motion when it is in the forward position, turn the nuts off the clutch pull rod until this free motion is obtained. One-quarter turn of these nuts will make a decided difference in the clutch lever adjustment. These nuts are reached through the large hole in the chain guard, without removing the latter. A special wrench, No. DK805 in illustration 1, is provided for this purpose. After turning the adjusting nut, tighten the lock nut.
If the clutch slips and it is seen that the adjustment of the clutch lever is correct, it is generally possible to tighten the clutch sufficiently by giving each of the six clutch adjusting screws one-half turn to the right. These screws can be reached through the small hole in the chain guard, without removing the latter. Care should be taken to see that the six screws are given the same number of turns regardless of how hard some may turn. One-half turn is generally sufficient, but if this does not tighten the clutch enough, a second half turn, making one full turn for each screw, should prove to be ample. The adjusting screws are self-locking, therefore be sure that each screw drops into its seat properly after each half turn.
Sometimes the rider may find that the clutch engages too quickly, or that there is too much free motion when the clutch lever is all the way forward. In this case the clutch will not release. This can be remedied by turning the adjusting nuts farther onto the clutch pull rod.
