Rain and open clutch

[StephenC]

I know this topic has been covered before, but all the threads were old and not quite what I am concerned about.

I recently opened my clutch and understand that riding in the rain is not to much of a problem as the wheat and spin remove water.  My worry is that I also have to park my bike outside and so water gets in when the engine is cold.  I know the aluminium pressure plate won't rust and the stainless springs (SpeedyMoto) should be pretty safe, but what happens to the clutch plates?  The exposed, outermost plate is already looking a little brown.  Is this likely to be a problem?

Thanks

[Slide Panda]

The plates can develop rust and stick if you let it sit long enough. The rust doesn't do them any real harm, but a stuck clutch can be a pain in the ass.

It may require as little as a sharp shove with the bike in gear and clutch lever pulled to free up or as much as pulling the clutch pack to pry the plates apart. If you've reached the latter point it is possible that friction material may get peeled off.

If you're expecting a lot of rain and not much riding coming up I'd suggest you pop the stock cover a gasket back on. Cheap insurance.

[StephenC]

Here is a photo of what I mean.

When first installed:


And now:


Given that I park outside at work I'm not sure I want to be changing covers all the time.  Maybe I will try and find a better spot to park.

If only they made stainless steel (or aluminium) versions of the clutch plates!

[chris1044]

Just get some high-temp paint, take the front plate out and spray bomb it...voila, problem solved.

[He Man]

that front side of the plate does really nothing for the pack. its only use is on its otherside that contacts the friction plate. if you really wanted to, you could sand it down and paint that one side. but it would probably wear off pretty quickly.

 that plate will often cause a very loud rusting sound during take off if its rusted enough. i just take it off an scrub it down when it gets to tat point.

i also have a clutch cover thats more covered ten that so you wront really see it.

[StephenC]

Thank you for the replies.  For now I have found an undercover spot at work, that I think I will use on at least the wet days.  I won't worry too much about it though and will just keep half an eye on it.  I still think there is a market for a stainless version.  After all, after putting all that open clutch bling on your bike, who wants to display a big rusty plate?

[Triple J]

After all, after putting all that open clutch bling on your bike, who wants to display a big rusty plate?

I see what you're saying, but most pressure plates cover all of that up...you just happen to have a minimalistic one that doesn't.

[StephenC]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but this is still an issue I am thinking about.  At the moment it is purely an aesthetic problem, I am not aware of any degradation to the clutch's performance. 
Given that I like my 'minimalistic" pressure plate I'm thinking through other solutions. 
I'm not sure that I have the confidence to paint or varnish the outside of the first plate but have found a few places that sell aluminium plates.  I gather there are issues around using aluminium plates in steel baskets and vice versa.  Does anybody know what the stock basket is made of (Monster 1100S 2010)?  I couldn't get a magnet to stick to it, but a clutch manufacturer I called tells me it is steel.  I took a few of the plates out and it is only really the outside edge of the top plate that has rusted (and even there, only on the bits not covered by the pressure plate).  This made me think that I could, perhaps, just swap the top plate for an aluminium one and accept that it might wear quicker than the rest (but is the easiest to change).  Any thoughts?

[herm]

or you could carry a plastic bag and a large rubber band. cover it up when you are parking it outside when it might rain.

just another minimalist approach. cheap too!

[StephenC]

Wouldn't it melt when the engine is hot after a ride?

[ungeheuer]

http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/SSRHUB/Clutch-Brakes/SSRHUB.html


http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/321-25/Clutch-Brakes/321-25.html


http://motowheels.com/i-7185576-ngr-billet-clutch-drum.html

 

[StephenC]

Thanks ungeheuer, I'm sure there are plenty of posh clutch parts.  I was more curious as to what the original basket was made of.  My thoughts being I could just swap the outermost clutch plate with an aluminium one and leave everything else as it is.  Remember I am only concerned about the aesthetic, and you can barely see the clutch basket or hub!
I assume you have one of the parts you recommended on your 1100?

[ungeheuer]

Thanks ungeheuer....
.....I assume you have one of the parts you recommended on your 1100?

Nope.  Just "helping" with solutions for ya 

Stock basket and hub on mine mate (but it doesnt see rain, so no rusty for me).

[StephenC]

Thanks for helping me spend my hard earned cash! (I have a wife for that)

When the current clutch is cactus I might think about upgrading the whole lot, in which case I may as well consider a slipper clutch. Or not.  I don't know, too many choices!

[Ddan]

All the aluminum clutch plates I am aware of are the friction plates, I haven't heard of anyone who makes the plain steel plates in AL or stainless.  I don't think paint would last long at all but I'll bet it wouldn't be too expensive to take a plate to a machine shop and have them cut one out of stainless.