clutch?

[HobbyMan]

Dang it, I hate asking questions. I know that there were some extra steel plates going around some where. How much will this tighten up the clutch? My clutch breaks free sometimes wide open in second just when I feel the front wheel trying to come up. Should I just replace the whole assembly. And yes, I am not a complete meathead, everything is adjusted properly.

[TopCatGr58]

Andrew,

Are you sure it's your clutch and not 2nd gear popping loose??

The extra steel will tighten things up considerably, provided you also put in NEW HD springs. A slipping clutch will usually show up more in the higher gears under heavy throttle load, like 4th or 5th at 5-6K rpm, it'll let go, rev higher but you won't feel any extra acceleration.

IF the person offering the extra steels is all out, you can get NEW from BikeBandit for ~$8.00 ea, plus S&H!

Test your higher gears, if the clutch isn't slipping then, then I doubt it's the clutch you're feeling in 2nd! IMHO!
T.C.

[jeffe]

Just a thought...The last time I changed the oil im 78E I used SeaFoam in the crankcase per the label. I let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes and then changed the oil. I was amazed at how much gunk it had broken loose. I also noticed a big improvement in how well the clutch worked. Like I said just a thought

[Ljay40]

Ive got some spare steels if ya need em

[mro]

contributing to the delinquency of a minor

http://www.barnettclutches.com/produ...clutch_cc=1100

Click above. Stock clutch not wheely friendly and XSes are not wheely machings. Barnett clutch springs are noticably stronger than the "high performance" ones I bought for my 80G. Friction plates are more "grabby" too. Last week I had the hot rods clutch out. Found some pretty serious wear on the clutch basket and a crack that went all the way thru. Lucky me had another clutch on shelf. Now just need to finish cleaning fuel tank and install new filters.


mro

[Snow]

Wouldn't a bad 2nd gear also make a lot of noise? I've heard it described as a machinegun in the motor.

I've ridden on an XS11 with bad 3rd gear and it did sound bad...

I've used Barnett motorcycle clutches precisely once... I would *not* recommend them...OEM works very well. Now, for the springs, that's a different story...

[HobbyMan]

I am sure it is not my 2ng gear. I have spent a lot of time test riding other peoples XS's. Several of them had some bad 2nd gears. That was back in the day when I was searching for bike #2. Anyway, It does slip in higher gears too. The engine RPM will jump and it will drop when it catches again. Actually both my 80G and 79SF do that. Snow, what was wrong with barnett? were they warped or something? I am still deciding wheather or not to replace everything or just add a plate. Even if the plates are in spec, It may be worth it to replace them so they will be good for a while. How long are the fiber discs supposed to last at a minumum? I guess it all depends on how much work I get in the next month do determine my funds.

[trbig]

Andrew..

My clutch was slipping pretty bad, and my first gear was gone. When I went to John's for the 2nd gear fix, I put new springs in ($16 from Partsnmore if I remember right) and put in an extra steel plate someone had given me. I didn't even check my fiber discs... but they "Looked" pretty good. It was a difference from night to day. NO slippage. I have an extra clutch basket in the shop and I can bring you a steel plate in a couple weeks if you'd like. The pull on the clutch increased dramatically.

Tod

[Snow]

I used Barnetts in either an XS11 or GS750t (was a few years, don't remember for sure). Yes, they were warped by I couldn't tell by eyeing them.

Last time I did an XS11 clutch I just went ahead and got new OEM steels and friction plates along with Vesrah springs. Clutch held great with my 1196 - no problems.

My new acquisition definitely needs clutch work - rpm's go up, bike doesn't accelerate much, rpms start coming done and bike stars pulling half decently.

[MAXIMAN]

My experience is 90% of the time simply changing the springs to heavy ones will solve it.

I have used Barnett clutches in two Elevens and always had good service. However after all the dynos runs on Zilla last year I torched a Barnett Kevlar clutch...

I just replaced it with an OEM and it's doing fine.

[HobbyMan]

So basically the best option for me is to put on new springs and an extra steel? Cool. What are the best springs for the price? Trbig, I know your clutch doesn't slip. Keep that front end down BTW: does adding a steel plate and putting on heavy duty springs change the adjustment procedure?

[trbig]

Nope... you'll just feel a harder pull on the clutch handle because you were used to pulling against weak springs. I think this will be a pretty cheap option to try... and if it doesn't work, you can still use the new springs again if you have to replace the fibers. I'm coming up there Thursday before the rally. You might check with Kat and John to see if they would mind, but we could do it pretty quick Thursday evening. Just get the new springs and an oil filter... I doubt it would take an hour.


Tod

[HobbyMan]

Do I need a new gasket?

[webbcraft2150]

I recently did the clutch on my 80g. Had the same problem as yours. I had OEM fibers and springs on hand for the swap. All the old fibers measured out within specs after 65k on them as did the "total free length" on the springs. Replaced fibers and springs, cleaned steels and carefully reassembled. No more problem with clutch slip. I would bet you could get away with just replacing the springs. And yes, you need a cover gasket.

[81xsproject]

I too had second gear 5-6k clutch slip. I must have gone into my clutch 3-4 times. With all plate within spec, I did the clutch refurb and added Versah heavy springs. Worked for about a week. Then, I added a steel out of the clutch basket I bought off ebay for an extra steel and gave the rest to other XSives. That too lasted maybe a month. Finally, I got a set of Versah frictions and added those with the extra steel and heavy springs. ROCK SOLID. Unless you like taking your clutch apart and have dollars to spend, I recomment getting some PNM frictions, heavy springs, add a steel, and do it all ONCE. Someday, I'll get a Barnett clutch, but I can't justify it now.