Clutch spring question

[Bartman]

I feel a shutter in the bike when in 4th gear and pulling hard. Wondering if the clutch is slipping. I will be changing my oil in a week and thought that I would pull the clutch and do some measuring. In preparation of this I have pulled the clutch from my next project and can use these springs if needed. With that being said, those springs all measure good (42.25mm) and all have one side painted blue.

The question is: anyone know if the blue is a brand or a tension or length?

Thanks,

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bart,

A shudder could be a sign of slippage, but usually it's like when you are in 4th and under hard throttle, the engine speed will suddenly rise a bit but the bike will NOT feel like it's going any faster. A good cleaning of the steels....removal of varnish or such, and ensuring that they are true/flat would be good to do while you're changing the springs.

I would not recommend using any old springs even though they may still be within length spec....they just aren't that strong anyways, and after years of being compressed in the clutch pack, and with the heat stress they can loose their strength. I had a set of heavy duty aftermarket ones...ie. Vesrah that were just a few years old, and they started slipping...and had full 3.00 mm spec frictions! This was many years ago, and that's why I did the extra steel plate mod. But NOW, we recommend just putting in the BARNETT springs instead, they are much bettter and stronger than the Vesrah and other brand aftermarket ones. I can't explain about the blue paint on the side, but mine had that also!

T.C.

[skids]

I think I installed a set of Vesrah HD springs many years ago that were blue. P.S. No problem with those. Just stay away from things like Mobil 1 pure synthetic!

[jetmechmarty]

Just stay away from things like Mobil 1 pure synthetic!

I never had any trouble with the stuff designed for a motorcycle. Stock springs and all!

[TADracer]

Well all I can say is if you suspect the springs then change them. It is not that hard to service the clutch and aftermarket springs are relatively cheap. If you do it all on the side stand you don't even need to drain the oil.

[Bartman]

The springs all measured good as well as the disks. I hear what everyone says about new springs, but being cheap and (if it ain't broke don't fix it upbringing), so it's all back together and clutch cable is adjusted. It pulled to 100 real quick and was smooth. Plan on riding and just keeping an eye on everything for now.

[BA80]

The clutch usually won't cause a shudder. You might want to take a look at the ujoints.

[Bartman]

I was thinking drive line also. It has only done it 3 or 4 times this year and always at the top of fourth gear. Just felt it in the seat of my pants for a moment before letting off the gas. I'll start checking U joints as you suggested.