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How many clutch plates?

F

Fyarl666

Forum Newbie
I have a 1981 GSX400L and I can’t figure out this parts diagram for the clutch.

How many steel
Plates and how many friction plates do you see?IMG_8119.jpeg
 
dgates1 said:
According to the parts fiche and required numbers on several parts sites.. this looks correct. But the actual drawing does make you question the number 🤔
Click to expand...
I had replaced the clutch plates last season after the clutch started slipping. Every parts-fiche I found said the bike has 6 steel and 7 friction plates.

I removed 6 used steel and 7 used friction plates, and replaced everything with all new plates.

The clutch was still slipping, even after a fresh set of new springs.

I pulled the clutch apart and discovered the deepest friction plate was grinding into the bottom of the clutch basket.

I checked this diagram and saw that it takes 7 steel and 7 friction plates. However, the drawing just looked weird with the top-most steel plate looking different in the drawing.

I reinstalled the clutch with 7 steel and 7 friction plates, and boy-howdy what a massive difference in the transmission now!

Basically, I wanted a consensus on what the drawing showed versus what the parts-fiche websites were saying. I think this one is a bit of a cock-up on Suzuki’s part.
 
What I notice is that from the fiche, it looks like the aluminum pressure plate acts as a "steel plate", as in, it makes contact with the first friction plate.

I work with gigantic friction clutches on (navy)vessels, you'd always want to start and end with a metal disc, where the metal disc on the piston side is usually a thicker "end-plate" to properly divide the pressure from the piston.

I would think one more steel plate, which rotates together with the aluminum pressure plate would be a better design, and would be what I expect. The aluminum on the pressure plate wears down and would require replacement at some point (probably after a looooooong time)
 
WolfTechnics said:
What I notice is that from the fiche, it looks like the aluminum pressure plate acts as a "steel plate", as in, it makes contact with the first friction plate.

I work with gigantic friction clutches on (navy)vessels, you'd always want to start and end with a metal disc, where the metal disc on the piston side is usually a thicker "end-plate" to properly divide the pressure from the piston.

I would think one more steel plate, which rotates together with the aluminum pressure plate would be a better design, and would be what I expect. The aluminum on the pressure plate wears down and would require replacement at some point (probably after a looooooong time)
Click to expand...
WolfTechnics, absolutely correct re steel against aluminum...

Was looking at the fische again and remembered some clutch posts on this site from years ago.

The steel on the pressure plate.... that steel is its own animal.....it is a steel that is held in place with a snap ring / retaining clip and apparently between that steel (manual refers to it as Inner Plate) and the pressure plate face is some sort of wave washer or diaphragm spring, . The set up is common on lots of Motorcycles.
 
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