Clutch springs.

[Guest]

Okay was thinking about some new clutch springs (mine are really stiff) because of the arthritis in my hands is beginning to bother me more and more over the years. Supposedly they were off an 80-81 1100, I looked up my bike 80 GS750E and an 80 GS1100E and low and behold the springs are the same part number. So what the heck did I get?
The guy (his 81 GS1100E) that give them to me had replaced the stock ones with a stiffer set. I'm wondering if he gave me the stiffer set (probably didn't like them and reinstalled his stock ones)? They are a good 1/4" taller then my stock springs. Anyways, I'm looking at EBC's CSK spring set for my bike, they say they are 10% stiffer then my stock ones. I'm thinking they are not as stiff as the springs I am currently using. What say you?

 

[Shwartz]

I hear most people only change half of the springs, leaving 3 old and 3 new. Good compromise that way. I'd also be checking your cables first.

 

[Guest]

Cable is new and lubed and slides easy.

 

[Nessism]

New stock springs are the forum favorite. EBC will make your hand ache.

 

[Guest]

New stock springs are the forum favorite. EBC will make your hand ache.

My hand aches now with what I have and I'm not sure what I have. Think the guy when he gave them to me switched them at the time. I mean these springs are really stiff, shades of the early 80's Harley stiff if not more so.

 

[tom203]

Yeah, try suzuki ones- these guys claim to have them for $1.51 each


http://www.buymotorcycleparts.com/suzuki_parts.htm#/Suzuki/GS750E_(1980)/CLUTCH/02800001/5602800014

 

[tkent02]

The stock Suzuki clutch is a feather pull, or at least it is if everything is working right. Feather pull meaning you can pull it with the pinky alone. How worn is your clutch lever and perch? Did you route the cable correctly? Is the basket worn out? Everything adjusted properly?

 

[Guest]

The stock Suzuki clutch is a feather pull, or at least it is if everything is working right. Feather pull meaning you can pull it with the pinky alone. How worn is your clutch lever and perch? Did you route the cable correctly? Is the basket worn out? Everything adjusted properly?

That was the problem with the clutch on this bike, it would slip under load in the first 3 gears (bike was only 2 years old at the time and never has been just a pinky pull). Once I installed the stiffer springs no more clutch slippage. Clutch lever is barely 2 years old it is fine, perch is fine too, new cable routed like it should be, basket was fine last time I installed new clutch plates (8 years ago), and every thing is adjusted like it should be. None of that is the problem it is just the springs. When I installed these springs it stiffened up right then. At the time it was fine, now it is bothering my hand. So as I mention in the first post I thought I was giving a set of springs off a same year model 1100 as my 750, wasn't the case. So my thinking the EBCs are going to be no where as stiff as these springs I have now. I would even say the springs now are 30% + stiffer then what was stock.

 

[matt1100]

I bought and installed the APE "extra disc" clutch kit recenetly. Kept the fibers but those springs made my lever so stiff it was ridiculous. Back to stockers now

 

[Steve]

Stock springs are great. My wife has NO problem pulling the clutch on her bike, and no matter how much I try, I can't get the clutch to slip.

OEM springs, nice pull. The new springs were almost 3mm longer than what came out, so that is where a lot of the lost pressure was.

Oh, those prices are not bad, but Boulevard and G&S Suzuki have them for $1.34.

.

 

[Guest]

Okay just ordered some new springs, once they arrive and I get those super stiffies out and find my old springs, I'll take some pics. The new ones where $1.50 apiece and Tempe AZ is real close so the shipping charges aren't much either.

 

[DPage]

Yup, I took out the original clutch springs, which had been squeezed down for 30 years, and put in new Suzuki OEM springs. With new springs, the pull tension was about the same or less, but the clutch sure worked a lot better. Save yourself about $75 by putting in new clutch springs instead of replacing the clutch discs themselves.

 

[Guest]

Yup, I took out the original clutch springs, which had been squeezed down for 30 years, and put in new Suzuki OEM springs. With new springs, the pull tension was about the same or less, but the clutch sure worked a lot better. Save yourself about $75 by putting in new clutch springs instead of replacing the clutch discs themselves.

Clutch disks are about 8 years old and I'm not a hard rider though do alot of two up riding, so they are good. I'm just curious now to see what springs I do have in it compared to the new ones I ordered.

 

[Guest]

Just installed my new EBC clutch springs and omg, what a difference. Soooo much easier now. I need to find a spring compression tester to see what these springs are that I took out.

I could start the spring hold down bolt with my fingers with the EBC springs, the others no way.

 

[tkent02]

Just installed my new EBC clutch springs and omg, what a difference. Soooo much easier now. I need to find a spring compression tester to see what these springs are that I took out.

I could start the spring hold down bolt with my fingers with the EBC springs, the others no way.

With Suzuki springs it would have been much easier to pull than with the EBC.

 

[Guest]

With Suzuki springs it would have been much easier to pull than with the EBC.

Maybe so, though I ride two up a lot and these are much better then what was in there. So I be happy

 

[tkent02]

What does two up have to do with it?

Stock Suzuki clutches don't slip unless there is a problem with them.

 

[Guest]

What does two up have to do with it?

Stock Suzuki clutches don't slip unless there is a problem with them.

Just my preference okay?

 

[tkent02]

Just my preference okay?

Sure, do what you want.
I thought you had arthritis?

 

[Guest]

Sure, do what you want.
I thought you had arthritis?

I do, that is what I'm saying, the springs I just put in are much much better. Hand feels good now, I'm not having to strain pulling the sucker in. I can do it with just two fingers now. I'm going to test the springs and see want they read compared to the stock ones. I did find out they didn't come out of a 81 1100E, the guy bought them to replace his stock springs didn't like them and put his stock ones back in and sold me the after market springs. These were Barnett Heavy Duty springs. I called a friend of mine who did the work he finally told me what happened (after 28 years sheesh).