• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

$5 clutch fibers/plates

  • Thread starter Thread starter UncleMike
  • Start date Start date
I'm pretty sure that it's $5 each which is a total of $45 total for just the fiber clutch plates and $90 for everything... Sound about right for new clutch plates, I think I paid $35 for EBC replacement contact plates when i did my 750's clutch replacement they worked great 20k+ miles and no issues.
 
I actually ordered those very same clutch plates for my '82 GS1100EZ.
Then I read where they don't sell OEM parts, and I requested and got a full refund before they were shipped.
If you scroll all the way to the very bottom of that page, in not so bold lettering it's states none of their parts are OEM, and those parts numbers and the Suzuki name are for reference only. How dissapointing I found that to be after I had just ordered them.
What you don't know is what type of backing plate it has, since it's an aftermarket plate, you don't even know who made them. Most likely it's steel, a clutch basket eater.
You can get plates still at Suzuki, under a revised part number. Think the difference is the new ones don't have asbestos in them.
 
sedelen said:
I actually ordered those very same clutch plates for my '82 GS1100EZ.
Then I read where they don't sell OEM parts, and I requested and got a full refund before they were shipped.
If you scroll all the way to the very bottom of that page, in not so bold lettering it's states none of their parts are OEM, and those parts numbers and the Suzuki name are for reference only. How dissapointing I found that to be after I had just ordered them.
What you don't know is what type of backing plate it has, since it's an aftermarket plate, you don't even know who made them. Most likely it's steel, a clutch basket eater.
You can get plates still at Suzuki, under a revised part number. Think the difference is the new ones don't have asbestos in them.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Just the kind of information I knew I'd get if I posted this here.
 
If the photo is correct then those plates are aluminum, and the tabs are flared out like the OE parts. Main concern would be the quality of the friction material.

A new set of EBC discs will set you back close to $100 after shipping, so taking a flier on these might be a reasonable gamble.
 
I added them to my favorites list too, just for the carb parts.
 
No attemt to provoke but the statement, "since it's an aftermarket plate, you don't even know who made them" assumes that one knows who makes the OEM plates. It is unlikely that Suzuki makes these plates and since they don't publish the maker.....?....

Bike makers almost never make components such as electrics, fuel system components, chains, sprockets, friction materials (brakes, clutch), brake components in general, filters, fluids, piston rings, bearings, seals, etc.

Purchasing a part in an OEM box guarantees nothing in terms of comparison. Just FWIW.
 
Normk said:
No attemt to provoke but the statement, "since it's an aftermarket plate, you don't even know who made them" assumes that one knows who makes the OEM plates. It is unlikely that Suzuki makes these plates and since they don't publish the maker.....?....

Bike makers almost never make components such as electrics, fuel system components, chains, sprockets, friction materials (brakes, clutch), brake components in general, filters, fluids, piston rings, bearings, seals, etc.

Purchasing a part in an OEM box guarantees nothing in terms of comparison. Just FWIW.
Click to expand...

I don't know who makes OEM Suzuki plates, don't believe it's Suzuki, but I do know the early GS1100 plates were good, and after '83 were good for the 1150, aluminum backed, not steel like the OEM '83's. All the named aftermarket plates I've ever been able to find for those bikes i.e. Barnett, had steel backings. Given the choice of getting OEM not knowing who makes them and non OEM not knowing who makes them, I think I'll stick with OEM. I've gained alot of confidence in OEM Suzuki parts, whether they be carb parts, gaskets, etc. In this case, to me it's a gamble of probabilities that I'll receive a part that I don't want and have to pay the restocking fees.
 
Normk said:
Purchasing a part in an OEM box guarantees nothing in terms of comparison. Just FWIW.
Click to expand...
I don't want to appear to be arguing with you Norm because, for one reason, I think you're brilliant. However, I disagree with your statement that I quoted. IMHO, I think buying a part in an OEM box guarantees that it was made to the manufacturer's specs with regard to materials, dimensions and quality.
Willie
 
willie is correct..
OEM does not mix and match others parts in there own box.
they may not make the part but its not like going to autozone either.
 
The fact that it is an OEM box provides no indication that the part is better than, or even equivalent to, an aftermarket one. My point was/is that one needs to condider the merits of each alternative rather than to assume that an OEM part is best. Buy a 6303-2RS bearing, for example as an SKF in an SKF box and it is almost certain to be superior to a Honda boxed item made in China.

I am not concerned with arguing anyone out of buying OEM if that is their decision, but rather attempting to address the myth that OEM is a guarantee of superior quality. After market sources often provide superior choices in terms of product performance. An example is that of silicone rubber based coolant hose which I like to use on liquid cooled motorcycles in place of the much more expensive and much lower quality synthetic rubber products used by OEM. I use hose which typically lasts 1 million miles+ on heavy transport trucks. Performance which is not possible with the poorer quality OEM.

I doubt that anyone with experience would suggest that OEM quality tires are the best quality?

The motorcycle field is so tiny as compared with automotive or industrial that it sees little of the economies of scale inherent in those fields. For this reason alone it is easy to find equal quality at lower cost there.

I tilt at the OEM windmill because it seems a pity that so many people limit their choices in such a fashion. Perhaps this seems counter-intuitive but I suggest that you turn the picture around and consider the public held myths regarding your own professional field.

Keep in mind, also that buying terminals & wiring from Radio Shack, for example is not the OEM practice which trades people practice. We use higher end sources which are typically the same product line supplying lower cost options to the manufacturers.

Only trying to be of service as I have no vested interest other that attempting to be as accurate as is possible.
 
8 times out of 10 OE GS parts are superior to aftermarket. Yes, there are some good aftermarket parts, but there is also a lot of junk, so unless you know better the safe route is to just stay OE. Exceptions off the top of my head include tires, chains, and batteries. I'm sure there are others...
 
This is not correct as in many cases one will pull parts from OEM boxes and find that the original make has changed over time. In many cases even the appearance of the part has changed.

Hoping that this is not becoming an argument as my intent is only to discuss what I consider to be a myth. I have been involved in the automotive repair trade since 1960 and began repairing 2-stroke go kart engines around 1963. My first motorcycle in 1965 was a Suzuki 80cc, K11 (?I think?). I hold both Canadian Interprovincial Journeyman Automotive Mechanic and Journeyman Parts certifications so have some exposure to both sides of the repair industry. Even someone as unobservant as I often am is able to notice some things in that time.;)

A great example is that of the small frame Nippon Densu alternators used on Honda ST1100, ST1300, Suzuki Bandit, etc. Parts are readily available for these little guys through aftermarket because Honda does not make these alternators. Honda will not even supply most of the parts, presumably because there would be insufficient sales volume. Same part, far less money out of the real OEM boxes from Nippon Densu. One can also buy good quality parts for these alternators from other makers.

Check brake calipers on many vehicles for replacements and the jobber will ask what make are those installed. Why? This is because the auto maker used one of several suppliers who actually made the parts.

The Stant thermostat found as factory installed in your typical automobile is not as good quality as a better one which they will sell in the aftermarket.

Another aspect of parts selection is that of pattern failure. In many cases some issue in terms of lifespan, failure rate, or performance arises. Aftermarket makers often provide an improvement in order to addres issues but OEM tends not to provide such options. Given that this is mainly an automotive/truck option because of the tiny motorcycle market scale, but it still is true.

It's fun to be challenged in some of these areas and hope no one is upset.:)

blowerbike said:
willie is correct..
OEM does not mix and match others parts in there own box.
they may not make the part but its not like going to autozone either.
Click to expand...
 
Norm,
We are talking about GS Suzuki parts here. The parts rarely change, other than some cosmetic parts. Parts may change more on other bike and auto applications, but not much on our bikes.
 
I understand that but in the case of generic parts such as bearings, seals, wiring, electrical, brakes, etc. the OEM makes little to no sense.

Alternator stators and VRR are popular replacements from the aftermarket because of cost and quality. Non-OEM fork seals have solved many issues.

Quality versus cost is the only reasonable criteria unless one dresses like a cast member from Mad Max and rides another type of bike.:D

Best of the season, all. Suzie needs some excercise tomorrow.:dancing:
 
FWIW, Norm, I agree with most of what you stated since my last post. I didn't mean to imply that OEM was necessarily better than aftermarket. I was just responding to your comment re: not knowing for sure what you're getting when you buy OEM. Having reread that comment though. I see that I misinterpreted what you wrote. I for one, always try to improve upon quality when I replace parts or designs. If I know that an aftermarket item is better, I'll go with it (ie. I've never used an OEM Suzuki R/R and won't). All in all though, I think I was correct in my response that buying OEM ensures the quality of the part will be to the manufacturer's spec regardless of whether or not it could've been improved upon. Enjoy that ride, good buddy. ;)
Willie
 
Normk said:
I understand that but in the case of generic parts such as bearings, seals, wiring, electrical, brakes, etc. the OEM makes little to no sense.

Alternator stators and VRR are popular replacements from the aftermarket because of cost and quality. Non-OEM fork seals have solved many issues.

Quality versus cost is the only reasonable criteria unless one dresses like a cast member from Mad Max and rides another type of bike.:D

Best of the season, all. Suzie needs some excercise tomorrow.:dancing:
Click to expand...


Bearings: Suzuki used high quality Japanese bearings on the GS bikes. You will NOT find better bearings in the aftermarket unless you are willing to spend serious money (crazy money). Most popular aftermarket motorcycle wheel bearings are Chinese crap (like All Ball's bearing kits).

Brake system parts: OE Suzuki caliper seals and master cylinder kits are superior to aftermarket brake system parts you will find available for a GS. K&L brake kit parts are pure crap. On two different occasions I spent countless hours troubleshooting only to realize the brand new K&L parts were causing a problem.

Seals: Aftermarket gasket kits SUCK!!! The most popular aftermarket kits, Athena & Veshra, have a very poor track record with our members here. I know for a fact that Athena uses inferior gasket material that can't take the clamp loads for the base gasket. Regarding rubber seals, there are very few common sized seals on a GS so hunting down high quality aftermarket equivalents has limited advantage.

Stator's and R/R's: Many common low cost stators (made in China) are not so great - the electrical insulation on the leads cracks easily and the stators themselves are not very robust. Ricks makes a nice stator, but they are not cheap. OE Suzuki stators are higher quality than all but Ricks in my view. As far as R/R's are concern, the best aftermarket units (Compufire) are good, but not cheap. The best substitute R/R as far as value is concern is a Japanese FET type, as used OEM on various other more modern bikes.

I could go on but I think you get the idea. Yes, there are good aftermarket parts in the world, but they hold limited advantage for us GS owners, and painting with a broad brush saying aftermarket holds many advantages over OE on our bikes is an overstatement.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top