Clutch Adjustements

[Seaking]

I couldn't find anything in search, hoping someone here could help.. I was out today on a MAC training day where you really have to ride the clutch and throttle to toss the big girl around the pylon course and wow, what a work out, but got the boards scraped and had a blast in the snow, hail and rain.. ya gotta love the weather out here..

 

By the end of the day, my friction zone is all but gone except at the very end of the level release.. and it's VERY narrow. Not hard to ride the bike but man, I started with a nice large friction zone and now it's tiny..

 

Is there an adjustment or something to do in order to get some of it back? I doubt I thinned out my HD clutch today to make up that difference.. ?

[skydoc_17]

Hey Pete,

There is no adjustment to the clutch on the RSV's I am sad to say. There are a few things I would check. First, have a look at the color (Colour for you kanuks) and volume of the clutch fluid in the master cylinder located on the left handle bar. Fluid half way up the "fish eye" sight glass and clear in color is what you want to see there. If it is higher than half way and dark in color the heat from the engine has caused the clutch fluid to absorb water. Changing out the clutch fluid would help this problem. If all is well with the fluid then you have overheated the clutch compression springs (if you have the Barnett clutch) or the clutch Diaphragm spring if you have the stock clutch. Either way, the spring (or springs) are the part of the clutch that is subject to failure due to excessive heat. I have seen VMAX riders go from new clutch springs to complete failure in one day at the drag races. If the clutch isn't actually slipping then you may be able to live with the reduced amount of "friction zone" in your over the road riding. If you plan to attend the type of event where you are slipping the clutch regularly then plan on replacing the clutch spring (or springs) a lot more frequently. Sorry the news isn't better, but with a few new parts or a change in driving habits your bike will be good as new in no time.

Earl

[Seaking]

Thanks Earl.. I'll check the fluids in the morning and see what's what... I rode that clutch hard on the course, having a lot of fun tossing the ol girl around.. Clutch isn't slipping. I do have the heady duty clutch (the name escapes me right now, but it's not the Barnett one..)

 

I thought it kind of interesting on the course today that one one of the exercises, the one where you accelerate up to 2nd gear, come to as quick as stop as possible and make an abrupt turn to the left or right, "avoid and evade" tactic.. my RSV was the only bike that could actually come to a complete stop, pause and snap into a left or right turn and 'escape' through the lanes. Hardest part of the course was the Iron Cross exercise. Now that one was a work out for me.. But I managed it. Lots of fun..

 

Only 40'F out in the snow and the cooling fan was heard kicking in LOL.. not bad.

 

Thanks again M8

[skydoc_17]

Hey Pete,

Find out what clutch you have, there are a few other tricks that can be done to beef up the clutch on your RSV. If you are interested, Let me know.

Earl

[Seaking]

Hey Pete,

Find out what clutch you have, there are a few other tricks that can be done to beef up the clutch on your RSV. If you are interested, Let me know.

Earl

 

Awesome, thanks. I'm still checking to see what that clutch kit I have it called.. but I'm drawing a blank lol.. heavier spring and it does away with the half spring.. Argh, I can't remember what.. (old age, kicks me in the teeth..)

[Squeeze]

Sounds like the Kit from PCW-Racing ?

[Marcarl]

I would check for air in the clutch line first, you may have forced some air into it. Bleed it out, it's good to once in a while anyways, and see what happens.

[Seaking]

Sounds like the Kit from PCW-Racing ?

 

YES! That's what it is.. PCW LOL.. thanks for the memory jogger =)

[Seaking]

I had a good look at the clutch fluid yesterday.. Both the brake and clutch fluids were changed out last fall when I had the black braided steel cables installed..

 

The brake fluid is nice and clear while the clutch reservoir fluid is noticeably darker.. Both reservoirs levels are full up in the glass, no air showing there. Mayhaps time to take her in for a flush when the snow melts..

 

Cheers

[Canuck]

After changing the clutch fluid today it sure seems to make a difference. Way more clutch to work with and much easier to engage. Didn,t think just fluid would make a big difference but it does. Gonna make it a yearly maintenance item.

[Seaking]

After changing the clutch fluid today it sure seems to make a difference. Way more clutch to work with and much easier to engage. Didn,t think just fluid would make a big difference but it does. Gonna make it a yearly maintenance item.

 

No doubt a yearly flush would be a great thing and I did just that late last Nov when I have the hoses changed out, but like I said, I think I burnt the fluid (over heated) on the Advanced Motorcycle Course this past weekend. And it's getting worse.. I have to book an appointment to get it flushed out.. yoikes

[Seaking]

Well today I took the bike in to have the clutch fluid flushed and bled hoping that this would fix the problem..

 

Unfortunately, no improvement except cleaner looking fluid in the reservoir =( Dang

 

On top of that, I felt the clutch slip coming back from the shop.. I dropped the hammer to get around a slow moving vehicle and felt that no-acceleration but higher rpm feeling before it finally caught.. I could not duplicate it but it did happen.

 

I have very little clutch lever movement from when you start to feel the clutch engage to full release of the lever.. I mean VERY little, less that the width of your baby finger..

 

So now I'm wondering. All this started AFTER I did the advanced motorcycle course where you have to ride the clutch for most of the day with high revs, so I'm sure that's what caused the problems I am now having.

 

So now I'm thinking.. Because of the clutch slippage today, I must have glazed the clutch parts.. I know I can rough up the metal plates with course emery cloth to take the shine off, but what about the other part? Could I have actually wore those down enough to thin out the stack?

 

I have the PCW clutch kit in there, is it then possible that I totally weakened the spring plate? I say that out loud because it doesn't take much to pull in the clutch now.

 

Course of action: Flush and Bled= done

 

Do I bother pulling the plates and roughing them up?

 

Do I order a new spring plate?

 

Do I need new plate (not the steels, the other one can't remember if it's the rotor or stator..

 

Sound advice needed.. I can still ride the bike but it sucks canal water.. =(

[Squeeze]

Take it apart and look what you find in there.

 

If the Steel Plates are blue, you'll need new ones.

 

If only the Friction Discs are glazed, maybe a sanding Job on both Friction and Steel plates may help. Hard to tell without seeing what you have.

[Seaking]

Take it apart and look what you find in there.

 

If the Steel Plates are blue, you'll need new ones.

 

If only the Friction Discs are glazed, maybe a sanding Job on both Friction and Steel plates may help. Hard to tell without seeing what you have.

 

Best guess here is that the friction plates got royally abused and lose some thickness hence why the clutch travel is soooo minimal.. =/

 

Parts should be here monday and then we shall see what colour / condition they are in..

 

Poor bike, I've abused it too much

[Squeeze]

Inner examination is the first step towards self improvement.

 

 

:happy34:

[Seaking]

Inner examination is the first step towards self improvement.

 

Hmm at MY size, that could take a long time.. lol

 

If it looks bad on removal I'll send pics..

 

Cheers M8