Clutch Slipping

[desertdog]

I have been taking a riding skills course the last few weeks, most of it is slow with alot of friction zone.

Was out practicing slow turns today in a parking lot when my clutch faded out. I imagine I over heated it, doing slow turns.

My question is do I need to replace the springs in it, or is there something else I need to look at first.

If my clutch needs fixing I guess I will miss the next couple of classes damn it.

[cactusjack]

How many miles on the bike? It is possible that just the spring is worn out, but the only way to tell is to disassemble and inspect the clutch assembly. You would need to inspect and measure the clutch plates individually to see if they are worn and need replacing.

[bmxridersd]

what kind of oil are you running in your bike. Because if you have run car oil it could be slipping because of the friction modifiers in that type of oil.

if you are running good motorcycle oil than you will need to take it apart and look at the plates

[desertdog]

CJ: I have 23,500 miles on the bike. I run 20W50 Mobil 1 V twin oil, changed the oil 1,200 miles ago.

Looks like I will have to do a tear down on it, I suspect probably just the spring, looks like another learning experience.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by desertdog

CJ: I have 23,500 miles on the bike. I run 20W50 Mobil 1 V twin oil, changed the oil 1,200 miles ago.

Looks like I will have to do a tear down on it, I suspect probably just the spring, looks like another learning experience.

Get the step-by-step from Gadget's page. There are some good tips to save you some time and aggravation.

[desertdog]

In thinking about this, being as how I need to do the tear down to get to the spring, and measure the plates it might make more sense to just order new plates and a spring, being as how I will be in it, and if I find the plates need replacing, I will have the parts available, it would save some time.

Any thoughts??

[cactusjack]

That's a good idea, but if I were a gambling man, I'd bet your plates are probably okay. Clutch plates should last a lot longer than 23,000 miles. The clutch spring is a different story. But you won't know until you tear it down and take a look.

[MAS Tequila]

One of the VROC guys took his almost new Nomad to the Ride Like A Pro class and burned his discs.

If you were slipping the clutch to stay in the friction zone, then I would definitely have new discs on hand.

Look at the Gorilla clutch. Probably about the same or less expensive than stock.

http://www.mobbley.com/page/61866202

MT

[desertdog]

My concern is making the clutch too stiff.

If I just install a meanie spring, what other parts should I consider replacing if it does not need new plates ??

(On a side note, I believe my clutch has been slowly fading for awhile. Last week in the exercises I could not seem to hold the friction zone, I was all over the place, which lead to a very frustrating evening).

[blowndodge]

The extremely high 1st gear is going to give you fits in a course that you in..

[desertdog]

I agree that it makes things more interesting with the higher first gear, it gets even more interesting when you can't hold the friction zone and you wind up all over the place.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by desertdog

My concern is making the clutch too stiff.

If I just install a meanie spring, what other parts should I consider replacing if it does not need new plates ??

(On a side note, I believe my clutch has been slowly fading for awhile. Last week in the exercises I could not seem to hold the friction zone, I was all over the place, which lead to a very frustrating evening).

I'd get the Barnett MT25 spring and the Barnett Gorilla clutch disks. Don't know if the disk pack includes the spring or not.

[desertdog]

CJ: How stiff will that make the clutch?? I read a write up that some one did who did that install and he said that it is difficult to keep the clutch in at stop lights. That is my main concern.

[zoom45]

My first one wore out at 18,000 and I replaced it with a Mean Streak spring. I just put the 3rd one in and now have over 90,000. I pull a trailer a lot too if that matters. Everyone I have replaced was worn paper thin. I mainly noticed it slipping if I pass a truck on the highway in 5th gear. Never noticed it at low speeds. Once that started I went ahead and ordered a new spring.
Zoom45

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by desertdog

CJ: How stiff will that make the clutch?? I read a write up that some one did who did that install and he said that it is difficult to keep the clutch in at stop lights. That is my main concern.

I had the Barnett spring and didn't think it was that difficult to pull in the lever. I can only speak for myself, though.