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Which Clutch Plates

  • Thread starter Thread starter Suzuki_Don
  • Start date Start date
Graham said:
Just shim the springs with washers. Start with around .060 and go from there. If you still have clutch slip then add washers.
Any groves from clutch plates in the basket or hub? If so they can make a clutch slip.
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Graham there are no grooves in any of the clutch parts. All in perfectly good condition. Shimming is a good solution. I got the EBC springs for $8.95 a set so I will probably try them first.
 
Suzuki_Don said:
Graham there are no grooves in any of the clutch parts. All in perfectly good condition. Shimming is a good solution. I got the EBC springs for $8.95 a set so I will probably try them first.
Click to expand...

That will work.
 
EBC claims a 10% spring rate increase but get ready for a noticeable increase in hand effort needed. Regarding shimming the springs, that will work up to a point but the springs will coil bind before you get a whole lot of shims in there.
 
Suzuki_Don said:
Graham there are no grooves in any of the clutch parts. All in perfectly good condition. Shimming is a good solution. I got the EBC springs for $8.95 a set so I will probably try them first.
Click to expand...

Just use three of the EBC springs and three of your stockers first...worked for me...
 
Graham said:
Just shim the springs with washers. Start with around .060 and go from there. If you still have clutch slip then add washers.
Any groves from clutch plates in the basket or hub? If so they can make a clutch slip.
Click to expand...

lol i need two hands to pull in my clutch lever with 2 washers on each spring
 
Hummm I just put 4 new EBC clutch springs in mine and didn't really notice a difference, I just saw some valvoline full synthetic 4 stroke oil for bikes I might try but at 8.95 a quart is it really worth it? And YES it does say it is compatiable with wet clutches... sorry must have been a few years back when I tried it.
 
Rkt-Rch said:
Hummm I just put 4 new EBC clutch springs in mine and didn't really notice a difference, I just saw some valvoline full synthetic 4 stroke oil for bikes I might try but at 8.95 a quart is it really worth it? And YES it does say it is compatiable with wet clutches... sorry must have been a few years back when I tried it.
Click to expand...

Shell Rotella synthetic is rated for use with wet clutches. About $20/gallon at Walmart.:)
 
I always use half stock and half EBC. Some increased effort but not too much.

Don't forget the steels do wear as well so even with brand new fibers you may have some tolerance in the system.

I agree that old plates can age harden or something but if you remove, clean then scuff them with emery paper, clean, soak in oil and Re-fit it seems to sort them out. I think the outer surface glazes and you need to break through that.
 
Suzuki_Don said:
I have just bought a set of EBC fibre plates off EBAY with new springs as well. EBC say these springs are 10% stronger than standard.
Click to expand...

Well my new EBC clutch plates arrived today, I also received a new set of clutch springs from them which was only $8.99 extra and no addition to the freight. I reckon these will be a good backup in case my Suzuki springs don't do the job. Although I don't see why they wouldn't as they were bought new and have only done 300 miles.

The specs for new plate fibre thickness given by Suzuki in the manual is 2.9 to 3.1mm and the EBC plates are 3.15mm, so are a bit thicker. Also the EBC springs are 3.5mm longer than the new Suzuki originals. So plenty of options there to prevent clutch slip in the future.

I will soak the plates in oil overnight and fit them with the original Suzuki springs I bought to opt for easy clutch lever operation. If there is still slip which I doubt then I will add three EBC clutch springs with the option of going to six if I have any clutch slip in the future.


P1010128.jpg



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BTW I have checked for clearance in the pushrod area and everything is OK there.


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I took the bike for another run this afternoon with my daughter on pillion and going up a steepish hill gunned it in 4th, the tacho instantly hit 8 grand with no increase in speed. Definitely starting to slip badly now. I'm going to have pull it off the road soon and swap out the parts. I think I will go with three standard springs and three EBC springs as Dan suggested to make sure it doesn't slip any more.

I was hoping to get the motor run in before I had to do this, but no luck this time I guess. I have 380 odd miles on the motor now. Not blowing any smoke, so the rings seem to be bedded in OK. Will soon have to think about retightening the head nuts, etc.
 
I just read through all of this for the first time. If I am reading correctly, you now have new discs and OEM (but new) springs? :-k

Your plan of action to replace some of the springs, then all of them seems sound.



jamminjimmy said:
Are you running a full syn oil? Sometimes it will make the clutch slip even with factory fibers/steels.
Click to expand...
I am agreeing with Nessism on this one: another urban myth.


Nessism said:
I'm going with EBC when the time comes. I used their clutch plated on one bike before and they were fine.
Click to expand...
Just because they make one good part does not mean that all of them are good.


GabrielGoes said:
Suzuki NOS Clutch Plates @ oldbikebarn !!!!
Click to expand...
I do believe that this is the ONLY positive report about Old Bike Barn that I have seen in years.


Rkt-Rch said:
... I picked up some EBC disc's off of E-bay for GREAT price. Like a idiot I did not replace the 4 springs, I mesured them and they speced out . Installed the new fibers useing Valvoline 4 stroke oil and thought all was fine, It did ride much better for the rest of the season. Then this year I took it out and noticed when I started to ride it pretty hard it was slipping on WOT... Crap... Bought 4 new EBC springs and WOW what a difference a complete different bike!

DON'T Run synthetic oils... Remember you have a WET clutch and yes the oil works great for the motor but does wonders on the disc's also.

Replace the springs and you will be mostlikely good to go. I didn't even notice a difference in my clutch lever pull in feel.
Click to expand...
What bike are you running that only has 4 springs? All of the GS bikes I have worked on had 6.

EBC springs are widely-known for providing more pressure on the clutch, but that also means more effort required at the lever.

Here is that urban myth again, sythetic oil is FINE, just use one rated for wet clutches.

I agree that replacing the springs is usually enough, but you didn't notice a difference in pull with the EBC springs? Must have a gorilla's grip.

.
 
Thanks STEVE for the reply. Good to get confirmation on my plan of action. I am also thinking of pulling the backing plate and doing the springs in there after grinding the rivets off and installing hardened steel spacers, clamping it all back together and getting the local engineer to TIG weld it back together.
 
Steve said:
I just read through all of this for the first time. If I am reading correctly, you now have new discs and OEM (but new) springs? :-k

Your plan of action to replace some of the springs, then all of them seems sound.




I am agreeing with Nessism on this one: another urban myth.


Just because they make one good part does not mean that all of them are good.



I do believe that this is the ONLY positive report about Old Bike Barn that I have seen in years.



What bike are you running that only has 4 springs? All of the GS bikes I have worked on had 6.

EBC springs are widely-known for providing more pressure on the clutch, but that also means more effort required at the lever.

Here is that urban myth again, sythetic oil is FINE, just use one rated for wet clutches.

I agree that replacing the springs is usually enough, but you didn't notice a difference in pull with the EBC springs? Must have a gorilla's grip.

.
Click to expand...
MY BIKE ONLY HAD 4 SPRINGS !!!! I thought the same thing when I looked at the 750 verision repair manual showed 6 ?? Anyway when I bought them off line and even checked at the dealer they only had 4.

And really I did not notice a huge difference in the clutch pull in pressure! Maybe Iv'e been married to long and Iv'e been switching hands. LOL Again this is with this bike, I have noticed with other bikes the difference but not my GS... I guess she likes me..
 
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ROFL! Try running 6 Barnett/APE spring in your clutch, Those EBC springs are weak.
You can't add 150cc's disp and expect a stock clutch to withstand it.
 
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I drained the oil last night and removed the clutch plates. With the plates out I noticed that there was some movement in the clutch basket. I was able to wobble it from side to side. I know this part of the clutch is supported on a large needle roller bearing on one of the transmission shafts. But how much play should there be on this basket, is it minimal or should there be a bit of play as I have detected. If too much play is it likely that the needle roller has worn and needs to be replaced?
 
Can't answer your bearing questions, but did you know that if you had left the bike on the side stand, you would not have had to drain the oil? :o

.
 
Steve said:
Can't answer your bearing questions, but did you know that if you had left the bike on the side stand, you would not have had to drain the oil? :o

.
Click to expand...

I call bull... really?

I'm about to change my springs in like 10 min but dont want to deal with an oil change.
 
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