clutch kits?

[Guest]

so i think this is the last season on the clutch for my 81 gs650, because it takes the clutch lever to be about 74% to engage the clutch. what are some of the better clutch kits on the market? is there any advantages to the kevlar kits as opposed to the standard kits?

[Nessism]

You might want to try adjusting the cable. Suzuki clutches routinely last the life of the bike. The cable and springs are the weak links.

[60ratrod]

I took the play out at the clutch lever on the left control. The clutch also has a bit of a slip in it if I'm getting on it, like when I'm merging with highway/interstate traffic. Second gear is especially bad about feeling like it's slipping and sometimes pops out of gear. I either have to up shift to third or half step it down to the neutral position and go back up, depending on my speed. With those things happening, it's making me think the clutch is on it's last season, especially with the 2nd gear stuff. But I'm more than likely wrong since most of my diagnostic thought processes are old chevy oriented, since I used to dink around with old chevys before I got into the 2 wheel world. So the springs are probably going?

[UK-GT]

New Clutch Spring Time, they get weak over time, my 650 had a slipping clutch if you were being a bit enthusiastic, clutch plates normally last the life of the bike, unless it has some serious abuse!! Oh, and do not get the Heavy Duty ones that are on the web unless you have a super human grip, my spare engine had these in it and I tried them in my bike to see if it was the springs that were the problem, took her out for a ride and after 5 miles or so I turned around and went home and put the old ones back in!! I got some new springs from my local Suzuki dealer (I think they cost me about £15 for the set) and fixed the problem.

[bwringer]

Yep, just replace the springs and you should be good. This is pretty routine on these bikes.

Buy new OEM springs from your favorite source for Suzuki parts -- no need for the unholy stiff aftermarket springs.

And, of course, order up a clutch cover gasket while you're at it.

[rudeman]

I took the play out at the clutch lever on the left control. The clutch also has a bit of a slip in it if I'm getting on it, like when I'm merging with highway/interstate traffic. Second gear is especially bad about feeling like it's slipping and sometimes pops out of gear. I either have to up shift to third or half step it down to the neutral position and go back up, depending on my speed. With those things happening, it's making me think the clutch is on it's last season, especially with the 2nd gear stuff. But I'm more than likely wrong since most of my diagnostic thought processes are old chevy oriented, since I used to dink around with old chevys before I got into the 2 wheel world. So the springs are probably going?

Did you take all of the "play" out? i ask because you're supposed to leave a little free play.

[60ratrod]

i adjusted it until all the play was taken out, and then backed it off just a little bit to put just a very small amount of play in the lever.

[rudeman]

Okay. Do you have any excessively tight bends in the clutch cable? That could cause it to not engage as promptly as it should.

You'll get differing opinions about this but in my experience, stock, OEM plates with heavy duty springs has been the ticket. If you use an OEM cable with the Teflon sheathed ball it is no problem with lever effort, and the springs keep the plates planted.

[60ratrod]

there are no tight bends as well. when i replace the springs, will i be able to see what my clutch plates look like?

[lemonshindig]

there are no tight bends as well. when i replace the springs, will i be able to see what my clutch plates look like?

Yes. Make sure they aren't broken. Check your clutch basket for edges worn into the splines (which should be smooth). Check the fiber plates and the steel plates for flatness by wiping them off, laying them on a sheet of glass, and using a feeler gauge. Measure their thickness with a micrometer or calipers. Compare the readings to the factory manual. Google BikeCliff if you don't have the factory manual.

When you re-assemble the clutch pack, face all of the steels the same way. The steels have smooth edges on one side and sharp on the other. I don't believe it matters which way you face them, so long as they are all faced the same way.