Norton Type Clutch (1934-1960's): 'Cush Hub' Rubbers - Set of Six

Product no.: 0257 A2/388-9

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This item is for a Set of 6 clutch rubbers, to fit all standard 3 spring type Norton Clutch's.  These fit into the centre clutch spider and provide a cushioned transmission.   

We have these rubbers manufactured for us from an excellent, oil resistent rubber of a similar density to original rubbers, and to the original form as original rubbers, they may not be the cheapest available but the quality is nice.  

These were fitted to nearly all Norton clutch's from the early/mid 1930's through to the late 1950's.  If you own an early 1930's Norton and are not sure if your clutch will be of the 'cush hub' type - a good indication is to look at your engine sprocket as earlier single cylinder models (SOHC) had a sprung engine sprocket on a ramp, rather than the cush hub clutch - but I think it was not uncommon for owners of earlier bikes to fit later clutch's at some point.  I cannot be certain, but believe the date this cush hub clutch was first fitted was approximately 1933, and then through to at least the late 1950's - but may have continued on AMC models.

Note: Most Manx Norton and racing singles were fitted with a shallower (3 plate) clutch - which included a shallower spider for the clutch rubbers.  It is still possible to use these rubbers on those clutch's - but you will need to either linish or carefully cut the rubbers by approximately 0.250" less in depth - but this is not too difficult to do.

Clutch Rubber Fitting Instructions - Hints and Tips:

I am not sure how other people fit new rubbers - but I can share how I have found it easiest to do them in the past - and it helps if you have a spare gearbox mainshaft - which I mount vertically in a vice before I start (with soft jaws in the vice of course!).

I normally place the clutch on the spline of the gearbox shaft held in a vice (and sometimes loosely screw the mainshaft nut on, to stop clutch coming off).  You should first remove the screws on the centre hub cover plate (which you may want to do with clutch in situ as sometimes these can be difficult, particularly if screwhead is chewed).

Once cover plate is removed, you should see the old rubbers - which might look badly decomposed and chewed, as per the accompanying photograph of an original clutch hub with old rubbers still in place.  I have found it is often easiest to just try and slide down the main clutch body, leaving the internal clutch spider still attached to the mainshaft (mounted verticaly in the vice).

Then once having cleaned the clutch spider and hub of any old residue rubber from previous cush rubbers, you can fit the new rubbers.

I have found it easiest to do this with a special tool, made up an old Norton clutch plate (which has the internal splines to fit the cush hub) with a steel handle bolted to it - see accompanying photo, which shows my own clutch plate tool - but a 'C-Spanner' like the ones in the same photo will also help make the job easier.  I start by placing the three large rubbers in place (as these will give a bit more 'give' than the smaller rubbers), then by turning the special tool as much as possible to one side so that the big rubbers compress as much as possible - at which point you try and slide in the 3 smaller rubbers one at a time (noting of course that they are 'sided' with a slight curve.

This can be a fiddly and difficult job .. . sometimes resulting in getting a sweat on - but can be made easier if you have a friend with you to help push the rubbers in, as it gives you another pair of hands!  I have also smeared the smaller rubbers with a light covering of high melting point grease in the past, to help get them in.

Once all are in, ensure clutch is centralised with spider and the spider is fully up against the back wall of the main clutch - then the cover can be screwed back on. 

Hope this helps!

 

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