One of my NEW clutch springs is under spec?

[mharrington]

Following TopCatGrs' procedure for spring replacement and steel sanding. One of my brand new springs measures 1.645". The minimum service limit is 1.646" I only have inch calipers. This is handling the spring and calipers to give me the max measurement of that spring. Other handling gives me 1.640". The other new springs measure 1.665"-1.674". Just have the one that measures under. They are EBC springs. Should I use anyway? The old springs all measure in spec- should I use the best of that 6 in place of the single EBC?

My clutch slips when accelerating in second gear. I am using conventional diesel oil that IS NOT ENERGY CONSERVING. New cable adj to Haynes specs. My friction plates are all in spec-.117"-.120" service limit is .111"

Gonna go sand the steels now and will check back. Thanks!

[mharrington]

I installed them anyway. If I still have slip I will deal with it then.

[natemoen]

EBC springs are kinda crap and often do come in under spec when new. Depending on your use you may end up having to replace them later this year. Next time get Barnett springs.

[mharrington]

If it still slips Ill put some Barnett springs in.

[petejw]

u could also put some spark plug washers
behind the springs, thatl give u a better clutch,
itll stiffen the lever a bit tho.

[TopCatGr58]

My clutch slips when accelerating in second gear. Thanks!

Hey Harrington,

This phrase sticks out to me! You say your clutch slips, but that's rare for it to do that in the lower gears, usually they slip under higher loads of 4th or 5th gear.

You say 2nd is slipping, do you mean it's SKIPPING, like it's popping out of gear and back in, kind of a jerking sensation? Slipping will be just a smooth event, the engine will slowly rev up more but the bike will not go any faster, whereas the skipping action is rather jerky in nature!

If it's actually jerking, then it's not your clutch, but your 2nd gear, and you'll want/need to get into the tranny to do the dremmel fix for that symptom!

T.C.

[mharrington]

Hey TopCat. Its definately slipping. I notice the slipping during the "Thrill" range in second. I bought this bike because it displayed none of the worn dog/pinion symptoms. In second when the throttle is cranked the RPMs on the tach race up (I can hear the engine rpm increase too) but the speed does not increase. If I do not wail on the throttle the Rs will climb up to redline with no slippage. The first thing I did was adjust the clutch and cable (lubed the cable) according to the manual. No change. The second thing I did was change the oil and filter just in case the PO was using a synthetic or energy saving oil. Still slips. I have put about 2000 miles and done 2 oil/filter changes on this bike since I originally changed the previous owners oil (whatever oil that was).

I wont put insurance on my bike and reinstall the battery until May-ish. While the oil is drained Im gonna buy some Barnett springs and install those. The EBCs were like $11 bought thru Dennis Kirk. Ill spend $28 on some better ones.

If a bike has run synthetic is it possible the clutch plate linings absorb the synthetic and retain it even after the correct oil is put in??

[trbig]

I used to go through at least two sets of the EBC "Heavy duty" clutch springs in a season. I've had the Barnetts in there for several seasons without a hint of anything but a solid hook up. Yeah, a bit more innitially, but the fact that for 12 or 15 bucks, I won't have to go back into that clutch for a long long time again, (At least due to slippage) it seems a no-brainer.

[TopCatGr58]

To be honest, I don't really know if the frictions would retain the slipping synth oil, but the slipping could have put another mild glaze on the surface of the frictions and the steels, so while you have it torn down that far, might as well take them out and clean/rough them up a little bit . You might also try putting in some MMO or Sea Foam in the oil, running it gently for 5 or so minutes at normal temps, no hard revving or DRIVING/RIDING, no load on engine, and operate the clutch thru the gears a few times, then drain the oil and change filter...this can help purge slime/varnish/gum from the engine and clutch plates.

Tod, When I did my initial rebuild in 2000, put in the EBC/Partsnmore HD springs, seemed okay, but just a few years later, it showed the slipping problem. When I pulled the clutch down I found the springs were already SPRUNG, below spec for most of them, and that's why/when I did the extra steel plate mod...same affect as washers under the springs I suppose, it's held for many years now, but you're probably right in that IF I had gotten the Barnett Springs, then I probably would not have needed the extra steel afterall! But it's in there now, and until it starts slipping again, I probably won't be changing it...I still sweat every time I have to put that Star Plate back on!

T.C.

[trdriver71]

I would also skip using the diesel oil if it were me that oil is high in detergents may also be a cause of slipping. jat