Upgrading the clutch

sam2019

sam2019

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28. December 2021, 12:16

Today we changed the clutch on the "red bike". The last time we did this was around the time we also did the green bike and that can be seen in this video, that was in October 2020 and a good 15.000km earlier.
Today the clutch had the slightest of slipping - almost none. But I opted to change it as there was a time window open for it and I had been able to get my hands on new clutch plates.
This bike was run as a 477cc ever since the last clutch change (and before as a 500cc). I really do not think one needs better plates or harder springs. OEM seems just fine.

The noteworthy thing is this: in the BS6 models the metal housing has holes for the oil to penetrate. These are missing in the BS3 and BS4 models. Apparently (or so the technicians are told) this prolongs the life of the clutch plates. We just used an electric drill on our housing. Before and after pics:
 

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About the Hitch plates:
Clutch Plate surface area, big difference plus 2 extra plates , must be a huge increase.

However: ignoring economic factors this may be a good idea, given a stock set of clutch plates costs 17 GBP (with tax) and the H. clutch is 88 GBP (with tax) and further given that stock did last nearabout 15,000km in a 477 the only reason not to use stock could be that the changing is expensive if done in a workshop. That would be a very good reason to use the H. set when doing it in the west if one does not plan to do the work oneself. Of course assuming the H. set really lasts at least double as long. Time will tell.

Changing the clutch in the Hima is fairly simple, in complexity somewhere between changing brake pads and a camshaft I would say. Most people could easily do it without any special tools as shown in our video.
 

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My clutch survived 41 000kms and it did not have the holes. I did think there is a bit of slippage sometimes now, so looking at it 2 of the plates are slightly blue, the ones nearest the engine. So my guess the oil did overheat. So hole upgrade was done and new plates will go in this weekend.
 
I am still wearing in My HMC heavy duty clutch :unsure: it is still hard to get neutral.
Either that or I assembled it wrong :ROFLMAO:
And that is a possibility :confused:
But it has not slipped whereas the OEM failed at about 28RWHP on my first 500 build.
And I don't pull Wheelies.
 
Remember the Oil jet? :oops:
I did my first clutch job without a bench, the HMC first edition.
Reused the gasket and then the new oil because it was a pig of a job to get right.
I am not rushing into doing it again so as to drill some holes, even though I now have a Hydraulic Bench that saves the back and legs.
 
Wow, you have lightened the Clutch basket :)
Will you reuse the gasket?
 
Got to be faster with holes :) I thought I would re use the gasket :unsure: or is that not the done thing ?
 
well it weighs less :)

I have reused the gasket with a light smear of Master Gasket(Anerobic sealant) I like using new ones when I have them but😉
 
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