clutch plate and spring measurement questions

[goggles]

This is probably so basic a question it may seem ridiculous.

Is there a specific way to measure the clutch springs? I just put them lengthwise between the calipers and closed them until they just touched. What makes me wonder is that the measurement seems to vary on the same spring.

To measure the plates, should I measure several places on each plate and take the smallest reading to compare to specs.?

And on the fibre plates I assume I measure the thicker part of the plate?

Thanks in advance.

1980 GS550L

[sharpy]

In a Genuine GS1000 workshop manual it shows you how. Have you got a 550 one? Maybe put the spring in a vice and wind it in till the spring JUST starts to move the measure the distance between the jaws right next to the spring. Sort of half way between by hand and a valve spring compressor