Clutch Slips on Hard Acceleration

[Guest]

1982 GS1100GL (just under 40K miles from new) When I get on it the bike accelerates nicely to about 5000 to 6k any gear and then acts like the clutch is slipping , losing power to the wheel not rpm's. I have not opened the engine, unknown if anywork ever done. But by looking at the fasteners I would say never touched from new. I replaced all the cables when I got the bike, since the old owner furnished spares, has good lever feel. So before I open it up, want to have replacement parts on hand , keeping a one day affair. I have the downloaded manual and watched the related videos when googling. If I am taking the cover off will do a whole kit and be done with it, suck if it just needs adjustment on the basket.

Is there a prefered brand Barnet or EBC for a complete clutch kit?

[bobgroger]

1982 GS1100GL (just under 40K miles from new) When I get on it the bike accelerates nicely to about 5000 to 6k any gear and then acts like the clutch is slipping , losing power to the wheel not rpm's. I have not opened the engine, unknown if anywork ever done. But by looking at the fasteners I would say never touched from new. I replaced all the cables when I got the bike, since the old owner furnished spares, has good lever feel. So before I open it up, want to have replacement parts on hand , keeping a one day affair. I have the downloaded manual and watched the related videos when googling. If I am taking the cover off will do a whole kit and be done with it, suck if it just needs adjustment on the basket.

Is there a prefered brand Barnet or EBC for a complete clutch kit?

Even among racers, the overwhelming choice is for OEM. Some will say to just try new springs first. My 850 had the same symptoms as yours, new friction plates fixed it. There is no adjustment other than the cable. If there is a bit of slack that isn't it.

[salty_monk]

Try new Stock springs (or get some aftermarket ones like EBC & only use half of them along with half of the originals).
The aftermarket ones make the clutch way too heavy if you use them in all holes.

If that doesn't work then new plates... Make sure the oil is not "energy saving" type car oil...

[gsrick]

1982 GS1100GL (just under 40K miles from new) When I get on it the bike accelerates nicely to about 5000 to 6k any gear and then acts like the clutch is slipping , losing power to the wheel not rpm's. I have not opened the engine, unknown if anywork ever done. But by looking at the fasteners I would say never touched from new. I replaced all the cables when I got the bike, since the old owner furnished spares, has good lever feel. So before I open it up, want to have replacement parts on hand , keeping a one day affair. I have the downloaded manual and watched the related videos when googling. If I am taking the cover off will do a whole kit and be done with it, suck if it just needs adjustment on the basket.

Is there a prefered brand Barnet or EBC for a complete clutch kit?

My 1000G had the same problem and 3 Barnett springs took care of it with out turning my left arm into a Popeye arm.

[aclaytonb]

Used 3x "heavy duty" springs with my OEM ones. SIX of those springs wasn't happening.

[Nessism]

The stock springs work perfectly unless your clutch plates are petrified.

[Steve]

I agree with a full complement of six OEM springs, but will also have to ask:

Is this for the '82 1100GL in your signature or the bike in the picture?

.

[TeamDar]

You don't even need 3 heavy duty springs. You can use just 2 and place them directly across from each other with the rest stock. Dar

[Mosquito13]

Ordered up a complete EBC clutch kit and a case gasket. Will give the springs in it a measure. and if in spec do a combination of old and new with the new steel plates and friction plates. Thanks for the replies.

[Sandy]

I've used a few EBC clutch kits over the years and they're pretty much a good stock replacement and using all their clutch springs didn't increase the lever pressure noticably.

[mrbill5491]

I have a full set of the EBC springs on my bike and the lever pull is very mild, bit stiffer then stock though not by much. I did have a set of the Barnett HD springs, those were a monster to pull in.