Motorcycle Repair: Honda Benley - adjust clutch, honda benly, gearbox oil

Question
Bill,
A friend of mine has a 1969 Honda Benley and it runs but the clutch sticks.  He bump statrts it and has to run it before he can get the clutch free.  Can you adivise how to adjust the clutch and would changing the gearbox oil help?

Answer
Ron, Just drain the oil, buy a clutch cover gasket, remove the cover and clean the plates. Usually all you need to do is wire wheel brush the metal plates, sand a little glaze off of the friction plates and put it back together again.

The original Honda "Benly" models were 1959-64 editions, but Honda has used the name on lots of other models since then, so I really don't know what version you have now. Still, the advice stays the same. As long as you have adjusted the clutch so that there is about 1/8" free play at the lever, then there is no more "adjusting" to do. Do it properly and you will be able to enjoy the bike as it was designed.

Bill Silver