Clutch Spring alternative?

[andyb]

Then swap plates until you get the thickness required.  Dunno if yamaha ever made spec thickness steels, I know kawasaki did for their early 90's superbike kit clutches.

Of course, simply swapping to new friction plates would be the right answer, and modding accordingly after if it still slips....

[weymouth399]

Thanks Randy thats great info and explains alot why they slip now and then.
Do you like the double spring or the after market presure plate? (bike or car)
Bob

[racerrad8]

I choose the double spring which is what I have in both the cars and bike right now.

Randy

[weymouth399]

I also use the double spring in the cars not as herky jerky on take off, as the aftermarket is. Do you use the stock master cylinder on the bike, Mine is also a 86 (best looking year) is it harder to pull.
Thank you for your imput.
Bob

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Andy and Randy for the info. I have added this discussion to the Clutch Files.

[Marsh White]

Randy sent me his EBC clutch spring to test out on my slipping clutch for the purpose of determining whether or not it would be a good alternative as a 2nd clutch spring.  The thinking behind this is that because it has less force than a Yamaha clutch spring that it would have an easier clutch lever pull than doubling up two Yamaha springs and still fix a slipping clutch.

Well I can say that it works great for this purpose!  I just took a spirited ride where I was keeping my tach in the 7K to 9K range (which makes you go triple digit speeds - I didn't get a ticket - but it was close!).  Anyway - it worked flawlessly!  No slipping clutch no matter how hard I tried to get it to do so.  The clutch lever pull is a little bit firmer than stock - but not by much.  So, by virtue of it's flawed spring force for use as a single spring to replace the OEM - that flaw makes it a great 2nd clutch spring!

As Randy pointed out - just make sure you put it behind the OEM Yamaha clutch spring.  Took all of 10 minutes to do.  No oil draining required - just put your FJ on the side stand.  Easy.  Oh - you might need a new clutch cover gasket depending on how old your current one is - actually - the odds are pretty good that you WILL need a new one.  Randy sells those for cheap too.

[weymouth399]

Thats a great test report, Thanks to both Marsh & Randy for doing this. It will be a good (cheap) easy upgrade for most members to take on.
Bob

[racerrad8]

Randy sent me his EBC clutch spring to test out on my slipping clutch for the purpose of determining whether or not it would be a good alternative as a 2nd clutch spring.  The thinking behind this is that because it has less force than a Yamaha clutch spring that it would have an easier clutch lever pull than doubling up two Yamaha springs and still fix a slipping clutch.

Well I can say that it works great for this purpose!  I just took a spirited ride where I was keeping my tach in the 7K to 9K range (which makes you go triple digit speeds - I didn't get a ticket - but it was close!).  Anyway - it worked flawlessly!  No slipping clutch no matter how hard I tried to get it to do so.  The clutch lever pull is a little bit firmer than stock - but not by much.  So, by virtue of it's flawed spring force for use as a single spring to replace the OEM - that flaw makes it a great 2nd clutch spring!

As Randy pointed out - just make sure you put it behind the OEM Yamaha clutch spring.  Took all of 10 minutes to do.  No oil draining required - just put your FJ on the side stand.  Easy.  Oh - you might need a new clutch cover gasket depending on how old your current one is - actually - the odds are pretty good that you WILL need a new one.  Randy sells those for cheap too.

Marsh,
        And everyone else, I am going to hold off until after the WC rally to allow Marsh to get some more miles on the spring before I add them to my inventory. I know he will get plenty of good riding time between now and the end of the rally to see if the spring will have a problems due to heat and usage.

Marsh, thanks for trying it and we will chat again for a final evaluation.

Randy - RPM

[Marsh White]

Sounds good Randy!  Yes, I only have 60 miles on the spring so far - after the West Coast Rally rally I should have around 2,500 miles or so on it.  I'll post an update after I return.

[racerrad8]

Well,
     I understand Marsh has put over 2500 miles on the EBC clutch spring that he installed on his bike prior to the WCR. As he had attested to the initial installation back in May it seems to be a good addition to the stock spring since it does have the clamping force of a new Yamaha spring. This means the clutch lever pull is still acceptable.

The followup from Marsh;

"Randy,

It works great as previously mentioned!  I put over 2500 more miles on it and I rode hard and fast and rode the shit out of it...no sign of slipping what-so-ever!  Highly recommended!  Only a slight increase in lever pull.

Sincerely, Marsh"

I have not added them to my inventory at this time, but can get them and sell them to you for $28.95.

Let me know if I can be of assistance to anyone.

Thanks, Randy - RPM

[stpenroute]

Hi everyone... I've been lurking for a while, and hopefully someone can help me...

My FJ: I have a 1989 FJ1200. It has a 1398 Ross piston kit, Falicon crank, Falicon rods, Lazer Stage 6 head, .395/.395 WebCams with the Hayabusa bucket conversion, APE cam chain tensioner, 40mm flatslide Mikunis, Orient Express transmission, Pingel air shifter, Dyna 2000 with a Dyna 2-stage stutter box and shift minder, lowered 4" and stretched 4" , FZR wheels front and rear, (sticky) Mickey Thompson rear drag/street tire, 200 hp Nitrous Big Shot with a NOS progressive controller and a big Earls oil cooler (The nitrous system is currently on the bench until the rest of the bike gets sorted out with the fresh motor) The V&H sidewinder has been taken off and a V&H Super Sport pipe installed to tempt ZX-14s and 'Busa's to part with their cash when they underestimate the old-school air-cooled 'dinosaur' - as they like to call it.

Problem: Yeah, even with the 6 spring conversion, my clutch is slipping... It's an old Barnett kit that has 3 heavy red springs, and 3 lighter black springs. Does anyone know where I can get my hands on another 3 'red' clutch springs before I go back to Joe Hahn at Orient Express and ask (beg?) him to dig some up? The red ones feel about doubly as strong as the regular black ones.

Thanks in advance!
Scott

[racerrad8]

Go to, www.rpmracingca.com
Search clutch spring and you will find Barnett severe duty springs.

Randy - RPM

[The General]

What an Intro? Luv to see some pics. There`s a growing number of guys here with heaps of red Paint but I`m sure the more intelligent black, blue & pink members will chime in on this one. ..........whooops there`s one now, just as I was typing. (Yep RPM`s ya answer)