Question about my slipping clutch

dyetube · 03-22-2012, 04:17 PM

I have an 01 nomad FI and my clutch is slipping so badly, the bike is un-rideable. This just happened today, although it's been slipping very slightly before. Today it just came on full force and I almost didn't get the bike home. I stopped at the dealership on the way and he told me I needed to replace everything for the clutch (to the cost of $230 which I really don't have). I was wondering if gadget's clutch spring replacement (http://www.gadgetjq.com/clutch_spring_replacement.htm) would fix this problem without spending $230?

My bike is my transportation (I have no car) so if I don't have it fixed, I can't get anywhere! I need to get this fixed asap and was hoping that the clutch spring replacement would do the trick or maybe there was a temporary fix I could do while I wait to afford the full clutch.

Please help!! Thanks!

Jeff

redjay · 03-22-2012, 05:04 PM

In most cases all that is needed is a clutch spring, not the whole clutch.
If his price was $230 including parts and labor that sounds very reasonable.

dyetube · 03-22-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

In most cases all that is needed is a clutch spring, not the whole clutch.
If his price was $230 including parts and labor that sounds very reasonable.

No. The $230 is for replacing the inner and outer clutch (not including the labor at $80/hour), not the clutch spring and judges washers replacement.

What I want to know is can I just replace the clutch spring using Gadget's instructions instead of replacing the whole clutch (which will probably run me around $450-$500)?

**ringadingh** · 03-22-2012, 05:39 PM

You should only need a new spring, and gasket. There is a measurement for the plates and discs, to see if they are still good, but rarely are they ever required. Get the Meanstreak spring or a Barnett, they are a little stronger, and also get some judges washers. It will work a lot better.
I did my own repair for about $50.00 using Gadgets instructions. Its not hard to do.

dyetube · 03-22-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

You should only need a new spring, and gasket. There is a measurement for the plates and discs, to see if they are still good, but rarely are they ever required. Get the Meanstreak spring or a Barnett, they are a little stronger, and also get some judges washers. It will work a lot better.
I did my own repair for about $50.00 using Gadgets instructions. Its not hard to do.

That's what I was hoping to hear! I'm gonna order the parts now so I can get them as soon as possible. I may not be able to do the judges washers as the site I went to takes paypal and paypal is screwing me over right now so I cannot buy anything through them. I'll see if I can find them from the member who makes them.

dyetube · 03-22-2012, 06:13 PM

Checking online and and local dealers, It's gonna almost be the end of next week before I can even get the parts in! Is there any trick I can do to help the clutch from slipping so much in the meantime? My oil hasn't been changed in a long time and is quite dirts so I can change that but didn't know if something like that would help or not?

**cnc** · 03-22-2012, 06:39 PM

Doubt the oil change will help much. If it is slipping as bad as you say, continuing to drive it may toast the disks.

dyetube · 03-22-2012, 06:56 PM

I may get it apart and find the disks are toast already. Where can I find out the measurements for the disks?

**ringadingh** · 03-22-2012, 08:03 PM

Once the clutch is slipping nothing short of a new spring will help. You can find the measurement for the discs and plate in the shop manual. Mine measured up almost as good as new with 38k on the bike.

Lurch · 03-22-2012, 09:21 PM

Last fall my clutch was slipping pretty bad, but still rideable. I followed Gadget's instructions, and replacing the spring with a Mean Streak spring helped. A few weeks ago I added Judge's washers to tighten it up more - they made a bigger difference!

**MAS Tequila** · 03-23-2012, 10:06 AM

Give me a call as I either have or can locate everything you need but the gasket. I have used RTV in place of the gasket befor and not had a leak.

I also have a couple of spare clutch packs if yours is shot.

We bike only guys have to stick together.

MT
561-210-3399

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyetube

Checking online and and local dealers, It's gonna almost be the end of next week before I can even get the parts in! Is there any trick I can do to help the clutch from slipping so much in the meantime? My oil hasn't been changed in a long time and is quite dirts so I can change that but didn't know if something like that would help or not?

**MAS Tequila** · 03-23-2012, 10:08 AM

I do have a brand new MS spring and a new set of Judges washers here on my desk now.

I also have a couple of stock springs.

MT

cactusjack · 03-23-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyetube

I may get it apart and find the disks are toast already. Where can I find out the measurements for the disks?

In your service manual.

**MAS Tequila** · 03-23-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

In your service manual.

If he hs one. Or go to the service manual in PDF from here:

http://www.vulcanbagger.org/pdf/VN1600Manual-Clutch.pdf

MT

hahawil · 03-24-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

If he hs one. Or go to the service manual in PDF from here:

http://www.vulcanbagger.org/pdf/VN1600Manual-Clutch.pdf

MT

Would anyone have a 1500 manual in pdf??

03-22-2012, 04:17 PM	#1
dyetube Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 213	Question about my slipping clutch I have an 01 nomad FI and my clutch is slipping so badly, the bike is un-rideable. This just happened today, although it's been slipping very slightly before. Today it just came on full force and I almost didn't get the bike home. I stopped at the dealership on the way and he told me I needed to replace everything for the clutch (to the cost of $230 which I really don't have). I was wondering if gadget's clutch spring replacement (http://www.gadgetjq.com/clutch_spring_replacement.htm) would fix this problem without spending $230? My bike is my transportation (I have no car) so if I don't have it fixed, I can't get anywhere! I need to get this fixed asap and was hoping that the clutch spring replacement would do the trick or maybe there was a temporary fix I could do while I wait to afford the full clutch. Please help!! Thanks! Jeff __________________ 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1500FI All stock Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by dyetube; 03-22-2012 at 04:32 PM.
	0

03-22-2012, 05:39 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	You should only need a new spring, and gasket. There is a measurement for the plates and discs, to see if they are still good, but rarely are they ever required. Get the Meanstreak spring or a Barnett, they are a little stronger, and also get some judges washers. It will work a lot better. I did my own repair for about $50.00 using Gadgets instructions. Its not hard to do. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

03-22-2012, 06:13 PM	#6
dyetube Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 213	Checking online and and local dealers, It's gonna almost be the end of next week before I can even get the parts in! Is there any trick I can do to help the clutch from slipping so much in the meantime? My oil hasn't been changed in a long time and is quite dirts so I can change that but didn't know if something like that would help or not? __________________ 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1500FI All stock Sena SMH10 Bluetooth
	0

03-22-2012, 06:39 PM	#7
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Doubt the oil change will help much. If it is slipping as bad as you say, continuing to drive it may toast the disks. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
	0

03-22-2012, 06:56 PM	#8
dyetube Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 213	I may get it apart and find the disks are toast already. Where can I find out the measurements for the disks? __________________ 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1500FI All stock Sena SMH10 Bluetooth
	0

03-22-2012, 05:04 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,928	In most cases all that is needed is a clutch spring, not the whole clutch. If his price was $230 including parts and labor that sounds very reasonable.
	0

03-22-2012, 08:03 PM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Once the clutch is slipping nothing short of a new spring will help. You can find the measurement for the discs and plate in the shop manual. Mine measured up almost as good as new with 38k on the bike. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

03-22-2012, 09:21 PM	#10
Lurch Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 107	Last fall my clutch was slipping pretty bad, but still rideable. I followed Gadget's instructions, and replacing the spring with a Mean Streak spring helped. A few weeks ago I added Judge's washers to tighten it up more - they made a bigger difference! __________________ Jesse "Lurch" Boyd Valdosta, GA Trocars (National) VBA #01986 VROC #36436 2002 Nomad 1500 FI
	0

03-23-2012, 10:08 AM	#12
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	I do have a brand new MS spring and a new set of Judges washers here on my desk now. I also have a couple of stock springs. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0