Clutch question on a 550

[twiggy2cents]

First off i have a 1985 GS550LF

I have yet to receive my clymers manual and my clutch is slipping at high rpms in the higher gears 3rd and up. According to the fiche my bike only has one clutch spring in the middle? This is my first bike and ive seen pictures of you guys replacing springs and welding the piece back on... I am capable of doing this but i dont see anything like that on my fiche. So can someone verify that for tension i only have one spring in the middle.


Please and thanks!

[hikermikem]

There are 6 springs providing tension to the clutch. The parts fiche only shows one in the exploded view, but the item number for the spring (13) shows there are 6 of them - it's not in the center, the picture just kinda looks that way...

Lots of members here simply replace those 30 yr old springs to fix a sliping clutch. Also, some here will tell you synthetic oils contribute to a slippng clutch.

[Steve]

Nope. You have SIX springs, just like the rest of us.

What you are looking for is #13 in the upper left corner of this picture:


.

[twiggy2cents]

okay thanks alot guys!!! As i went to bed i couldnt stop thinking that they might of just showed 1 and it took more because of the pressure plate design thanks for clearing that up guys!

[twiggy2cents]

also when i go to do the clutch if it needs it or someday is the z1 friction plates good? how about the veserah and also i should also replace the steels right? or is that only if the friction wore through?

[Nessism]

The friction plates are the ones that typically need to be changed. The steel plates can be reused as long as they are not warped. In many cases a slipping clutch can be repaired with new springs alone. You need to remove the clutch cover and remove the pressure plate so you can inspect the clutch plates. Measure the thickness per the service manual and compare to info in the book. If the plates measure thick enough, reuse them with new springs. If they are worn, get new plates. Sometimes the plates get glazed over and hard after a bunch of years and the clutch will still slip even with new springs. No way to know this until you try the new springs though. In most cases springs are enough but keep this in mind, you still may need those friction plates.

Good luck,