Barnett Spring VS Mean Streak Spring (Judge's Washers)

**Jared** · 07-10-2012, 04:03 PM

What is the benefit of the Barnett clutch spring over the Mean Streak spring?

I have heard of people going without Judges washers. Are they really necessary?

**coacha** · 07-10-2012, 04:11 PM

I have a stock clutch spring and a Maytag washer if that helps

**coacha** · 07-10-2012, 04:39 PM

I thought you meant in the garage...MY BAD! I guess I'll bow out of the discussion now.

Bud2rat · 07-10-2012, 05:26 PM

I installed the Barnett clutch spring without the washers and it lasted about 3000 miles. I have since installed the judge washers and it really helped.

cactusjack · 07-10-2012, 05:31 PM

I installed the Barnett spring without the Judge's washers and it was still going strong 20,000 miles later, until I crashed and burned.

skeeterv · 07-10-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

What is the benefit of the Barnett clutch spring over the Mean Streak spring?

I have heard of people going without Judges washers. Are they really necessary?

Great question! I'm very interested in the responses you receive on this topic.

Skeeter

**Jared** · 07-10-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud2rat

I installed the Barnett clutch spring without the washers and it lasted about 3000 miles. I have since installed the judge washers and it really helped.

Why did you add the washers? Were you starting to have issues?

macmac · 07-10-2012, 06:05 PM

I have the Barnett Spring, but it's in a paper envelope since I am waiting for the clutch to slip. I am not sure if a washer is needed or not.

As to the meanie spring compared to the Barnett, my bet is on the Barnett Spring. This is because i had their clutch, all of it in my 1967 Pontiac Fire Bird, with a 400 cu in ram air engine, with some milder engine mods (big fat lie) That clutch was great, so I will bank on a custom maker with a 40 years rep any day.

**Cajunrider** · 07-10-2012, 06:35 PM

I changed from the OEM spring to the Barnett without the Judge's washers. It was still doing great after 7,000 miles.

macmac · 07-10-2012, 07:21 PM

So far I have never changed a clutch spring yet....... I understand 'something' cuts the wafer spring, and so the wafer spring gets a slice taken out. But what that exactly is I am not sure of.

Do the Judge's washers also get a cut? I sort of assume they do, but are thicker and the cut only goes so deep, and once cut that's the end of the problem.

jandreu · 07-10-2012, 07:40 PM

Not sure and hopefully someone will confirm but I though I read on here that the Judge's Washer takes away the slip feature.

macmac · 07-10-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jandreu

Not sure and hopefully someone will confirm but I though I read on here that the Judge's Washer takes away the slip feature.

Yes this is true, and the use of the clutch will have to take more care when downshifting. The + side is you can jump start the engine if the bike is moving.

The downside is if you botch up a downshift the rear wheel will swing out to one side or the other, as it skids.

I see no point in a slipper clutch in the first place and having the clutch work as standard should be no problem to most Nomad riders.

**Top Cat** · 07-10-2012, 10:13 PM

I replaced my stock spring at 72,000 miles. Not even sure if it needed it then.

It wasn't slipping.
I replaced it with an OEM spring.
I figure if the stock springs last that long on my bike why not stay with it.

NobleRider · 07-10-2012, 10:20 PM

I installed the Barnett without the Judge's washers. I didn't want the back wheel to lock up if I downshifted at the wrong RPM's. I had to downshift and brake at the same time to avoid a collision once. I was glad for the slipper function of the clutch as the rear wheel didn't lock up and the bike didn't wiggle it's butt. Just my two pennys.
BTW I've replaced the brake pads since that incident.

**schoeney** · 07-10-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

I replaced my stock spring at 72,000 miles. Not even sure if it needed it then.

It wasn't slipping.
I replaced it with an OEM spring.
I figure if the stock springs last that long on my bike why not stay with it.

Hmmmmm. I am worried. I am starting to think like Tim.

07-10-2012, 04:03 PM	#1
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Barnett Spring VS Mean Streak Spring (Judge's Washers) What is the benefit of the Barnett clutch spring over the Mean Streak spring? I have heard of people going without Judges washers. Are they really necessary? __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-10-2012, 04:11 PM	#2
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	I have a stock clutch spring and a Maytag washer if that helps __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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07-10-2012, 04:39 PM	#3
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	I thought you meant in the garage...MY BAD! I guess I'll bow out of the discussion now. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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07-10-2012, 05:26 PM	#4
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	I installed the Barnett clutch spring without the washers and it lasted about 3000 miles. I have since installed the judge washers and it really helped. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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07-10-2012, 05:31 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I installed the Barnett spring without the Judge's washers and it was still going strong 20,000 miles later, until I crashed and burned. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-10-2012, 06:05 PM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	I have the Barnett Spring, but it's in a paper envelope since I am waiting for the clutch to slip. I am not sure if a washer is needed or not. As to the meanie spring compared to the Barnett, my bet is on the Barnett Spring. This is because i had their clutch, all of it in my 1967 Pontiac Fire Bird, with a 400 cu in ram air engine, with some milder engine mods (big fat lie) That clutch was great, so I will bank on a custom maker with a 40 years rep any day. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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07-10-2012, 06:35 PM	#9
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	I changed from the OEM spring to the Barnett without the Judge's washers. It was still doing great after 7,000 miles. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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07-10-2012, 07:21 PM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	So far I have never changed a clutch spring yet....... I understand 'something' cuts the wafer spring, and so the wafer spring gets a slice taken out. But what that exactly is I am not sure of. Do the Judge's washers also get a cut? I sort of assume they do, but are thicker and the cut only goes so deep, and once cut that's the end of the problem. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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07-10-2012, 07:40 PM	#11
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	Not sure and hopefully someone will confirm but I though I read on here that the Judge's Washer takes away the slip feature. __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net
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07-10-2012, 10:13 PM	#13
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I replaced my stock spring at 72,000 miles. Not even sure if it needed it then. It wasn't slipping. I replaced it with an OEM spring. I figure if the stock springs last that long on my bike why not stay with it. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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07-10-2012, 10:20 PM	#14
NobleRider Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Exeter PA Posts: 141	I installed the Barnett without the Judge's washers. I didn't want the back wheel to lock up if I downshifted at the wrong RPM's. I had to downshift and brake at the same time to avoid a collision once. I was glad for the slipper function of the clutch as the rear wheel didn't lock up and the bike didn't wiggle it's butt. Just my two pennys. BTW I've replaced the brake pads since that incident. __________________ 2012 Voyager 1700 2005 Nomad 1600 FI VBA # 2029
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