So, over the weekend I test road a KTM. not that that matters, but I noticed the light clutch pull. The first thing I did when I bought my monster was to change out the clutch slave. It made a faily big difference but still not even close to the test bike. So after searching the post here, I decided to pull two springs off the pressure plate. Big difference in pull. Now I am not sure if I was riding differently or if the bike is just acting different, but It seems alot smoother. Up shifting and down. Some have said that I might (will) experience slippage. I do not ride hard for the most part, but I do give it regularly. Question is, those of you who have done this, did you experience similar? Did you go back to all 6? What kind of wear can I expect with 4 springs? I never lift the front tire off the ground (cuz I go 240lbs) will this cause the slippage to escalate? And how can I purposely cause the slippage so that I know what to expect when/if it happens. If any other options exist?
Quote from: scduc on June 29, 2009, 01:36:14 PM
Question is, those of you who have done this, did you experience similar?
Did you go back to all 6?
What kind of wear can I expect with 4 springs?
I never lift the front tire off the ground (cuz I go 240lbs) will this cause the slippage to escalate?
And how can I purposely cause the slippage so that I know what to expect when/if it happens. If any other options exist?
Well here's a question for you - are your springs stock (mild steel) or after market (stainless and stiffer)
FWIW - I run all 6, so can't answer questions 1 and 2 directly
Wear - unless it's slipping, the wear will be the same for you
Will a wheelie cause clutch slipping - not on it's own. If use do clutch-up wheelies it will make for more wear. And if you do that a lot, consecutively you can burn it up
You purposely cause slippage every time you feather the clutch. Only when the clutch is 100% or 0% engaged should be there no slipping. 100% engaged, should mean no slipping, 0% all the plates should be free of each other.
Yes, the springs are all stock(steel). I do plan on getting new pressure plate soon and opening up the cover.
for what its worth there is a reason someone designed it with 6 springs.
Well 4 stock springs will have the most chance of slipping. Stock are softer than the stainless springs that folks usually run in conjunction w/ open covers. So if you're really worried about slippage, then you might stick with 6 for now, and try out 4 stainless.
Of course, the stiffer springs translate into more, force needed at the lever... so you may hit a point of 'just sucking it up'. The heavy lever pull on dry ducs is a known, sure you can lessen it - but only to a point
As far as 'causing' a slip, off of the top of my head;
Bike in 6th gear, ~60mph, good amount of throttle on.
Give a *quick* squeeze on the clutch, letting it snap back.
If it slips more than momentarily, you're on the edge.