Do I need a gasket for clutch spring replacement?

[Guest]

Going on a long trip on Sunday, down to Philly, then over to Long Island then back home after a few days. I noticed my clutch slipping last week, so ordered new OEM clutch springs for my 25K mile bike.

Only then did I notice someone mention the gasket would need replacing on the clutch cover. Is this true? I don't want to take it apart if I need one, since I probably won't be able to source one by Sunday.

If I don't need one, how easy of a job is this? Are we talking an hour or two, or an afternoon or two?

If it can't be done, will the bike be OK to ride with the clutch slipping only under really high rpms and really hard acceleration?

[bwringer]

I think the Universal Laws of Murphy apply here -- if you don't have a new gasket, your clutch gasket will tear into a million pieces.

If you do have one handy, it will separate cleanly and can be re-used.

This is probably not a good place to substitute sealer or (ick) RTV.

On some bikes, the thickness of the gasket makes a difference, and a thinner gasket (or no gasket) could cause the shifter to bind.


It's an easy 15 minute job other than that. Bike on kickstand, all the oil runs to the other side, ba-da-bing and you're done.

It won't really hurt anything to ride the bike with a little slippage as long as you avoid slipping it all the time like some kind of psycho monkey... if you are a psycho monkey, then order up some new clutch fibers while you're at it.

[doctorgonzo]

As far as the gasket, you might hit the lottery and the old gasket will come off clean and reseal, or you might use a tiny bit of ultra gray on the old gasket and get a good seal as a temp fix. Odds are though if you pull the cover and put it back on without replacing the gasket it's gonna leak. How bad is the question.

[Baatfam]

Going on a long trip on Sunday, down to Philly, then over to Long Island then back home after a few days. I noticed my clutch slipping last week, so ordered new OEM clutch springs for my 25K mile bike.

Only then did I notice someone mention the gasket would need replacing on the clutch cover. Is this true? I don't want to take it apart if I need one, since I probably won't be able to source one by Sunday.

If I don't need one, how easy of a job is this? Are we talking an hour or two, or an afternoon or two?

If it can't be done, will the bike be OK to ride with the clutch slipping only under really high rpms and really hard acceleration?

You may or may not be able to use the gasket...if it's been on there awhile or the PO used sealant it might tear.
Or it may be perfectly reusable. I've had the same one on my drag bike for two years and I take the cover off a dozen times a season, if not more.
Replacing the springs in a stock clutch....easy as pie, maybe an hour if your slow....
I can replace the springs and clutch plates in less than an hour...

HTH,

[UncleMike]

OK. I think I'll leave it as is, be gentle, order the new gasket and really take my time when I replace them when I get back. Then I can take out the plates and measure/scuff them up too, while I'm at it.

How's that for a slice of fried gold?

[bonanzadave]

[salty_monk]

I got away with it on both mine... without gaskets on hand either. Of course I have them now so will likely never need them

[Nessism]

Looks like a pretty easy gasket to cutout from a sheet. Trace pattern and cut with sharp xacto knife. Use a hole punch for the small holes. Did a stator cover gasket last weekend and it took about 15 min.

[Larry D]

[quote=bwringer;871425]On some bikes, the thickness of the gasket makes a difference, and a thinner gasket (or no gasket) could cause the shifter to bind.quote]

I just got some gasket material for my clutch cover and stator cover. It's rated for oils. But it's thicker than stock. Think it will affect the helical pinion in the clutch or the stator? I tried to get the correct clutch cover gasket (twice), but alas, it wouldn't quite fit properly. Hence the "make your own". BTW..B, I'm getting close to startup, probably in a few days. Wanna be there? '81 GS750L.

[bwringer]

I just got some gasket material for my clutch cover and stator cover. It's rated for oils. But it's thicker than stock. Think it will affect the helical pinion in the clutch or the stator? I tried to get the correct clutch cover gasket (twice), but alas, it wouldn't quite fit properly. Hence the "make your own". BTW..B, I'm getting close to startup, probably in a few days. Wanna be there? '81 GS750L.

Nah, a little thicker won't hurt anything. I've only seen the binding thing caused by a thinner gasket once, and I think there's really supposed to be more clearance than there was on that bike.



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