Clutch plates and springs

[WesV]

My new 850's clutch slips when I really roll into it from a low RPM in a higher gear or above 6000rpm single, above 5000 two up. I am gonna go ahead an put new clutch plates and springs in so that hopefully I will never have to touch the clutch again.

I was wondering if anyone has ever used these?

http://tinyurl.com/yucdeb

I am gonna buy the EBC clutch springs but if these don't sound like they are worth it then I will either go OEM or EBC plates as well. I am just a little spooked about the statement:
These are new aftermarket clutch plates we have made for us overseas.

Makes me think cheap Chinese or Korean made that won't stand up, but at $5 a plate it is kinda hard to say no to. If no one else has tried these then I might just buy a set and do a little write up to compare them to an OEM set.

[WesV]

Question I posed to the seller:
Does the clutch plates have any form or warrenty with them? Also you mention made overseas, if you don't mind my asking, by what country, company and quality standards?

His response:
Some of our plates are made in Japan and some are made in Taiwan both are OEM manufacturer

So no info on a warranty or anything like that... I might just purchase them anyway...

[49er]

My new 850's clutch slips when I really roll into it from a low RPM in a higher gear or above 6000rpm single, above 5000 two up. I am gonna go ahead an put new clutch plates and springs in so that hopefully I will never have to touch the clutch again.

I was wondering if anyone has ever used these?

http://tinyurl.com/yucdeb

I am gonna buy the EBC clutch springs but if these don't sound like they are worth it then I will either go OEM or EBC plates as well. I am just a little spooked about the statement:
These are new aftermarket clutch plates we have made for us overseas.

Makes me think cheap Chinese or Korean made that won't stand up, but at $5 a plate it is kinda hard to say no to. If no one else has tried these then I might just buy a set and do a little write up to compare them to an OEM set.

How many miles has your 850 done? It may pay you to open the clutch and check the condition of your friction plates before buying replacements. Those fibre discs will do high mileage before needing to be replaced.
It's normal for the pressure plate springs to sag over time. If the friction discs are within spec, a new set of OEM springs will get you going again with no more slippage.

[WesV]

How many miles has your 850 done? It may pay you to open the clutch and check the condition of your friction plates before buying replacements. Those fibre discs will do high mileage before needing to be replaced.
It's normal for the pressure plate springs to sag over time. If the friction discs are within spec, a new set of OEM springs will get you going again with no more slippage.

The bike has 57k and I have little idea of the preventative or required maintenance done on it other then the fact I was told the oil got changed twice a season and the plugs every other season so....

[Billy Ricks]

Most of the time a new set of springs will get things back to normal. You need a torque wrench to install them though. They only need about 8-9 lbs/ft of torque on them. You have to be careful or you can snap those little bolts pretty easy.

[WesV]

Billy,
Thanks, I know in many cases just the springs will do it, but in the effort of preventative maintenance, I would rather just have the reassurance that I will never have to mess with the clutch. I have torn apart the basket on a couple GSs (mine and an 1100) so I feel confident in doing it and have the proper tools. I was just interested if anyone else had bought this brand.

[Billy Ricks]

Billy,
Thanks, I know in many cases just the springs will do it, but in the effort of preventative maintenance, I would rather just have the reassurance that I will never have to mess with the clutch. I have torn apart the basket on a couple GSs (mine and an 1100) so I feel confident in doing it and have the proper tools. I was just interested if anyone else had bought this brand.

I bought a set of plates off Ebay that were represented as being OEM but I have no way of knowing. There is Milwaukee Cycle and Mac Cycles that have them on Ebay. Mine came from a different seller though. So far so good.

[rphillips]

A wet clutch will wear very very little, & needs no maintenance. Even with lots & lots of abuse, that is usually not seen on an 850, they just keep lasting on & on. If the plates aren't right at the lower edge of spec, I'd think new springs & you'll be good to go for a long long time. Sorry, I know nothing about those plates, I've only used OEM

[a1asumm1]

Follow-up info?

My new 850's clutch slips when I really roll into it from a low RPM in a higher gear or above 6000rpm single, above 5000 two up. I am gonna go ahead an put new clutch plates and springs in so that hopefully I will never have to touch the clutch again.

I was wondering if anyone has ever used these?

http://tinyurl.com/yucdeb

I am gonna buy the EBC clutch springs but if these don't sound like they are worth it then I will either go OEM or EBC plates as well. I am just a little spooked about the statement:
These are new aftermarket clutch plates we have made for us overseas.

Makes me think cheap Chinese or Korean made that won't stand up, but at $5 a plate it is kinda hard to say no to. If no one else has tried these then I might just buy a set and do a little write up to compare them to an OEM set.

Hey WesV,
I just found this seller on eBay and was thinking about buying them as well. Just wondering if you actually bought 'em and what did you think of the quality? If you decided to not to, any info. you could pass on would be helpful.

thanks

[zathros]

Take the basket apart and measure everything, you routinely change clutch springs at this point. Certain oils can make the fiber discs "slip". Some people use a fine sand paper and makes lines as if going from the center out (as if you were scratching spokes in, that direction), to get a little more bite. I did this on my Honda and it gave it a nice feel, of course it had new springs and a Barnet clutch so who knows.

[49er]

Take the basket apart and measure everything, you routinely change clutch springs at this point. Certain oils can make the fiber discs "slip". Some people use a fine sand paper and makes lines as if going from the center out (as if you were scratching spokes in, that direction), to get a little more bite. I did this on my Honda and it gave it a nice feel, of course it had new springs and a Barnet clutch so who knows.

I did the sand paper roughing up on mine too. The full set of Barnett springs were very heavy on the fingers. I swaped out three and replaced them with 3 old stock springs and it's worked out great. Good feel and ample bite. I now have a spare set for next time.

While I had every thing apart, I also filed the wear lumps that had formed on the areas where the metal discs slide during clutch activation. This seemed to improve feel, by reducing some notchiness.
I did some other mods to the basket to assist oil recovery from the clutch basket area. The '79's are renowned for clutch drag when cold, hence the extra mods.

[Nessism]

I'd skip those unknown plates and get these EBC's for $55... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...lenotsupported

For springs, get stock Suzuki springs. EBC springs are stiff and will make your hand tired pulling the lever.

As mentioned, scuff up the metal plates to rough them up. Oh, and replace the clutch cable while you are there (get an OE cable) if you don't want to mess around for a while and don't mind spending the money.

[a1asumm1]

Good advice but...

I'd skip those unknown plates and get these EBC's for $55... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...lenotsupported

For springs, get stock Suzuki springs. EBC springs are stiff and will make your hand tired pulling the lever.

As mentioned, scuff up the metal plates to rough them up. Oh, and replace the clutch cable while you are there (get an OE cable) if you don't want to mess around for a while and don't mind spending the money.

I ride a 78 GS1000; I believe the part number for the EBC's is CK3345. Anyone know where I can get a set of THOSE for $55?! I'm gonna guess the 3335's won't work.

I must say, the Mac Cycles guy on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140314846510&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&viewitem=#ht_1094wt_1356

...who's selling the unknown plates has over 10000 feedbacks at 99.8% pos.

It looks pretty tempting... Anyone else care to weigh in on this... Anyone have any horror stories about no-name fibers?

[Nessism]

I ride a 78 GS1000; I believe the part number for the EBC's is CK3345. Anyone know where I can get a set of THOSE for $55?! I'm gonna guess the 3335's won't work.

I must say, the Mac Cycles guy on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140314846510&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&viewitem=#ht_1094wt_1356

...who's selling the unknown plates has over 10000 feedbacks at 99.8% pos.

It looks pretty tempting... Anyone else care to weigh in on this... Anyone have any horror stories about no-name fibers?

This place is the cheapest I've found for EBC clutches... http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/.../tr26-7585.htm Those cheap clutch plates may be okay, but I'd rather spend an extra $14 and get a known brand.

[zathros]

@ Nessism, Thanks for the link, I think I am going to need a clutch too. I used to pull a sidecar with my old GS.