Which Clutch Plates

[Steve]

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?

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

Are you running a full syn oil? Sometimes it will make the clutch slip even with factory fibers/steels.

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

I'm going with EBC when the time comes. I used their clutch plated on one bike before and they were fine.

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

Suzuki NOS Clutch Plates @ oldbikebarn !!!!

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

... 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.

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.

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[Suzuki_Don]

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.

[Rkt-Rch]

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?

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.

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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..

[gearhead13]

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.

[chef1366]

ROFL! Try running 6 Barnett/APE spring in your clutch, Those EBC springs are weak.

My clutch slipped like a motha with EBC springs.

[gearhead13]

http://www.barnettclutches.com/products/clutch_plates_springs.aspx?type=clutches_other&clutch_make=Suzuki&clutch_cc=550

Suzuki 550cc
YearModelFriction Plates (Qty.)Tempered Steel Metal Plates (Qty.)Spring KitsClutch-KitsRemarks/Notes1977-86GS-550301-70-10002(7)
401-70-063001(6)501-45-06050

[Suzuki_Don]

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?

[Steve]

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?

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[Ranger]

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?

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I call bull... really?

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

[Baatfam]

I call bull... really?

Really......

[chef1366]

No bull bro
It can be done.
OR
Was I dreaming?
Check the tightness of the clutch basket bolt. It should have a little play but not a wobble. There is a sleeve and needle bearings in play here.

[Suzuki_Don]

No bull bro
It can be done.
OR
Was I dreaming?
Check the tightness of the clutch basket bolt. It should have a little play but not a wobble. There is a sleeve and needle bearings in play here.

Bill good to hear from you. It's not the clutch centre which is held by the large nut and fold down tab. It's the outer part of the basket that the fibres engage into. How much play should there be in this part which is on the wide needle roller bearing. Just a smiggin or a bit more.

[chef1366]

Bill good to hear from you. It's not the clutch centre which is held by the large nut and fold down tab. It's the outer part of the basket that the fibres engage into. How much play should there be in this part which is on the wide needle roller bearing. Just a smiggin or a bit more.

I've always had a bit of play but not a wobble. I wonder if there is a spec or a way to measure?
As I said there is a sleeve and needle bearings. Also the backing plate can come loose from the basket.

[Suzuki_Don]

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?

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Steve is that for chain drive or shaft drive motors. I needed to drain the oil anyway as the motor has now done 400 miles since rebuild and want to get any debris out of the system before it can do any other damage.

[Steve]

Yep, also works going the other way if you need to change a stator.

Put the bike on the center stand, put a 2x4 under the left foot.

Bike is still stable, just a couple of drops of oil dribble out past the gasket.





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