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Old 05-05-2015, 11:20 AM   #1
Tom43   Tom43 is offline
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Change back to Nonad clutch??

Have a 2003 1500 with 13k miles. Bought it 10K mi. The previous owner must have beat the s&*t out of it because last year at 12K I had to replace the spring because of slipping. The orig spring was worn badly and I replaced it with a Barnett spring, no judges washers. The clutch does not slip now. The stators and plates were in specs at spring change.
Here is my problem. I am an old timer, close to very old and have arthritis in my left thumb joint. The Barnett spring is pretty strong but painful to hold at stop lights and in sharp turnarounds when I have to slip the clutch etc. I have adjusted the lever position to all possibilities. I am very easy on the bike, although I got it to 45 last summer. That's a joke, actually 90.
"I am going to change the spring soon". My question is, Nomad or MeanStreak spring with or without Judges washers?
Thanks in advance.
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Old 05-05-2015, 12:47 PM   #2
macmac   macmac is offline
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get thumb braces for your hand. Going back gets you a featherless no feel clutch. We all hated that feel less feeling. Both my hands are shot, just like yours. I manage. maybe Advil will help, does me.
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Old 05-05-2015, 01:02 PM   #3
OldSchool   OldSchool is offline
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Can't speak for the meanstreak, but the normal 1500 clutch "would" be much easier for you to hold in compared to the Barnett.
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Old 05-05-2015, 01:19 PM   #4
macmac   macmac is offline
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If I recall Kawi gave up on making different springs and made them all as meanies . So if i am correct in my understanding, no matter what you buy listed for a 1500 or a 1600 Nomad classic etc etc etc you are getting a meanie spring.
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Old 05-05-2015, 07:38 PM   #5
MAS Tequila   MAS Tequila is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by macmac View Post
If I recall Kawi gave up on making different springs and made them all as meanies . So if i am correct in my understanding, no matter what you buy listed for a 1500 or a 1600 Nomad classic etc etc etc you are getting a meanie spring.
Close, they quit producing a meanie spring with the advent of the 1600.

In the 1600's they are all Nomad/Classic springs.

Get a 1500 Meanie spring and install without the Judge's washers.

You'll get a much easier to pull clutch, and your slipper function back.

MT
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Old 05-05-2015, 07:39 PM   #6
macmac   macmac is offline
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I stand corrected. sorry

My dead OEM 1600 spring is still on the floor where it fell off the bench. The clutch slipped exactly 2 times. The first time to me is seemed like the engine had a miss, one miss. The next time i rode the bike i was headed out of state 2 up with a trailer on, and it missed one time again, but that time I knew what it was. I rode easy for the 3 weeks i was away and never allowed the clutch to slip again. And yeah that Barnett Spring is harder on hands, but the feeling of feathering is much better. being so rural as i am I maybe have a easier time as there is little traffic.
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Old 05-05-2015, 08:55 PM   #7
OldSchool   OldSchool is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MAS Tequila View Post
Close, they quit producing a meanie spring with the advent of the 1600.

In the 1600's they are all Nomad/Classic springs.

Get a 1500 Meanie spring and install without the Judge's washers.

You'll get a much easier to pull clutch, and your slipper function back.

MT
The 2004 1500's has the same washer that the 1600's have. Can that same setup be used in the earlier 1500's that didn't have that back washer ? In other words can you add that OEM washer to the 2000 to 2003 clutch springs ?
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Old 05-05-2015, 10:16 PM   #8
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I have a set of judges washer and I was going to get the 1500Meanie washer but as I am reading Gadgets it sounds like my 2004 1500 Nomad might have the washers already. Is that correct? Following this thread with interest. Wondering if should go ahead and get the Meanie washer.
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Old 05-06-2015, 07:41 AM   #9
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I like the Meanstreak spring and washer setup as well, I tried a Barnett spring on someone elses bike and although it works great, I found it had more lever pressure than I found comfortable just like you did.
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Old 05-06-2015, 09:59 AM   #10
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Thank you all very much for your responses. I have decided to go with the Meanstreak spring and washer combo. - Tom
 
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Old 05-06-2015, 05:08 PM   #11
MAS Tequila   MAS Tequila is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldSchool View Post
The 2004 1500's has the same washer that the 1600's have. Can that same setup be used in the earlier 1500's that didn't have that back washer ? In other words can you add that OEM washer to the 2000 to 2003 clutch springs ?
Some of the 04 1500's had the 1600 set up.

If you want to change over to the 1600 set up, be prepared to spend 3-4 times the money. You have to change the carrier over to the 1600 design. This has a groove cut into it to fit the washer. Unlike Judge's design which increases the thickness and greatly improves the feel.

A little history: Bob O (The Judge) designed a set of thrust washers to carry the load and keep the spring from having a groove worn into it.

MaKaw took his design and modified it and put it in the 1600's

MaKaw's design doesn't have the same effect as the Judge's washers. The load is only carried on one side, and by cutting the spring carrier to fit their 'washer', there is less feel and control of the clutching process.

MT
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Old 05-07-2015, 01:06 PM   #12
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I like the "feel" of the stronger Barnett spring!
If I am stuck in traffic I put it in nueatral while waiting.
I dont spel to grate ethr
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Old 05-07-2015, 02:16 PM   #13
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So, for those running the Barnett spring on their 1600 did you lose the slipping aspect of the clutch when you downshift? The factory clutch, while somewhat weak, is designed with a certain amount of slippage to handle downshifting. Without slippage you would get some pretty harsh downshifts unless you knew how to properly time the downshifts to match engine RPM.

My OE 1600 clutch is now slipping so I'm looking for options too. Serious considering the Barnett springs.
 
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Old 05-07-2015, 02:25 PM   #14
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I don't know because I use the clutch like I know how to use it. I have never tested to see if I could do a push start yet, and have no plans to unless I must.
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Old 05-07-2015, 02:56 PM   #15
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Are you guys running Barnett CF friction discs in addition to the spring?
 
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