Clutch plates

[ddaniels]

Inspected my clutch plates from my 2001 FZ1 and, while they are within spec WRT thicknesses and flatness, there is some damage to some of the pressure plates. See pic. Also, there is a place where the bonded coating has worn off. Should I replace the set?

 

[ddaniels]

Worn coating

 

[rphillips]

The ends of the little tabs are usually buggered up but I've not seen the sides like that. Can you tell what & why they are rubbing against?

 

[ddaniels]

Last year I installef the cam chain tensioner incorrectly and it was way too tight. Ended up shredding the intake side chain guide and there was ground up plastic and some metal shavings everywhere. I'm guess some shavings got in there.

 

[bwringer]

I'm roughly 99% sure none of that makes the slightest functional difference.

But, let's put it this way: you're already doing 100% of the work and replacing whatever gaskets, seals, fluids, etc. are needed to get your mitts on the clutch. No idea about the Fizzy, but on two of my bikes, clutch work also means you're monkeying with the water pump.

But if you have the slightest doubt, I'd say it would be well worth spending the extra bucks on a set of the friction plates and maybe a set of OEM springs. OEM for springs and plates is always best, but I've always had good results with EBC clutch plates if OEM availability is a problem, or if OEM pricing is kookoo nutso (as Yamaha pricing often is).

Riding is primarily a mental game, so I've always felt that anything you can do to ensure you're 100% confident in your bike is well worth it. If the clutch is not on your mind, that's another scrap of your brain's bandwidth you can devote to staying alive. With a fresh clutch, you'll probably never need to think about it ever again.

Similarly, I've always said that if you're wondering whether you should replace your tires, the correct answer is always "yes". If tires are on your mind in any way, that will affect your riding negatively.

 

[rphillips]

Folks are different, If the only problem with those plates are those little rub marks on the edges, then there isn't a problem. But like he said, if you will feel more comfortable riding with new plates, go for it. Only appx. $14 ea from Yama. Dang, I just looked at the parts fisch for the 2001 FZ1. Looks like that clutch pack has 3 or 4 different friction plates in the same set. Surely I'm seeing something wrong.

 

[ddaniels]

Yes, three different ones but I can only find a difference between the one plate that goes on first and all the others. The first one has a larger inner diameter than the rest.

I went ahead and ordered all new plates OEM. Springs are still in spec so I'm not wasting anymore money. Clymer says if just one has any damage at all to replace the whole set. I might as well since it's all apart.

 

[bwringer]

Good move. I think it would bug you if you didn't replace them.

 

[GregT]

Last year I installef the cam chain tensioner incorrectly and it was way too tight. Ended up shredding the intake side chain guide and there was ground up plastic and some metal shavings everywhere. I'm guess some shavings got in there.

That could also be the source of your crank failure. While it's apart, pull the oil pump and check for scores.

Edit - and strip the relief valve. Could be material in there making it stick....