Taking apart and cleaning dry clutch?

[Howie]

Eric

http://www.clubhousemotorsports.com

One of the best!

[motox79]

Guys!  THe very first plate is a "spring plate" You will notice that it is thinner, and not perfectly flat. Orientation does not matter, just make sure you put it in first. Next goes in a steel plate. NOW.....IMPORTANT....If you look at the plate you will notice it is stamped steel. One edge will be rounded (where the die stamed out from the top) the other side will have a "sharp" or squared off edge. When you are putting in the steel plates, make sure the rounded edge faces out (towards you) This allows the plates to "float" away and seperate from the fritction plates. If you put them with the sharp edge facing out, they can hang up and make for some "stick" in the clutch (as they don't always release smoothly when pressure is taken off the pressure plate!) Also, a general rule of thumb...Make sure you stack height is about 37.5-37.8mm thick (this is the combined height of all friction and steel plates)  And make sure you always end with a steel plate against the pressure plate (a friction plate will chew up your pressure plate in no time). While you are at it, check the bearing in your pressure plate as it takes quite a bit of heat and abuse. Finally, if you are replacing a clutch, make sure you get the correct clutch set. There are two. The older bikes have a steel clutch basket. For those you need friction plates that are steel (they are heavier, but if you use the alumnium friction plates, you will rip the "prongs" off in no times) If you use steel plates in an alumnium basket, you will destroy the basket. Hope this helps

[64duc]

I want to take apart and clean my clutch (not the basket). I am wondering if anyone can give me the benefits of cleaning, a quick how to clean and what to clean etc...

  Old adage:
If it ain't broke don't fix it.

+1


 Benefits of cleaning = none.

 How to = remove clutch cover and blow out with compressed air.

[herm]

  Old adage:
If it ain't broke don't fix it.

+1


  Benefits of cleaning = none.

  How to = remove clutch cover and blow out with compressed air.

i would respectfully disagree. over time you will get build up on the plates, which will tighten up the clutch pack and lead to some of the dragging sensation that others have mentioned (and that I have experienced) as well as possibly shortening the life of the plates (no proof of that, but it makes sense to me.) Sanding the plates lightly and cleaning everything up reduces both issues IMO.

[yotogi]

Blow them out or disassemble and clean.

Before I switched to an open cover, I used to get a bad groan from the clutch when taking off. After cleaning it would go away. My guess was that the clutch dust buildup was causing some slippage and the noise.

[cakeman]

I have taken half of it apart, couldn't get to the other half, need some magnets. I haven't changed a clutch before but noticed there is only about 1/2mm left on the clutch on each clutch plate...... Is it time for a new clutch?

[Howie]

i would respectfully disagree. over time you will get build up on the plates, which will tighten up the clutch pack and lead to some of the dragging sensation that others have mentioned (and that I have experienced) as well as possibly shortening the life of the plates (no proof of that, but it makes sense to me.) Sanding the plates lightly and cleaning everything up reduces both issues IMO.

Agreed, but if you don't wait too long compressed air should do it or the good ol'e open clutch cover allows for pretty good self cleaning.

[koko64]

+1 on the open covers promoting self cleaning. Air cooling's gotta help a dry clutch.
I must be getting old but I went back to the stock cover. I cleaned it out last night and it was filthy in there. The powder like dust in there could not help clutch performance at all.