1981 sportfire 440 rough clutch engagement

[Oliver550]

1981 440 sportfire. When you first take off the clutch is rough. As you are driving its nice and smooth. What would cause it to engage hard?

[Matt]

Worn out bushings, broken spring. Clutch may need a rebuild. Checking and replacing a broken spring is easy enough, you just need to take out the 6 bolts holding the cover plate on. Replacing bushings is more complicated. Special tools needed, etc.

[Oliver550]

Thanks, amateur question here but are you talking about the actual clutch on the engine or the pulley on the cross shaft to the chain case?

[Matt]

On the engine - called either Primary or Drive clutch, that is the one that handles engagement. The other one on the shaft is called either a Secondary or Driven clutch.