Slipping clutch

[camos]

The clutch on my XV1100 is slipping.

Assuming the plates did not get burnt due to the slippage, would it just be the springs that need replacing?

[MiCarl]

There is no way to know for sure without inspecting it. Even if the steel plates (the ones that burn) are good you still might need friction plates, they are a wear item.

[camos]

So I guess the thing to do is take the clutch apart then order whatever parts don't look good. I was looking at Barnett which has a clutch spring kit but it's quite expensive, over US$200....

 

OK that's very expensive, in Canuk bucks.

 

Haven't found an alternative for sale yet.

Unless there is a broken spring I'm not sure I'd be able to tell if they need replacing.

[djh3]

Check with Skydoc

[blaine1]

can you put them without taking the motor out 1st gen blaine

[Blackmax88]

You don't say how many Kms on the bike or what oil you are using.

If you're on synthetic you can expect slippage if the diaphragm spring is a bit weak after ??kms of service.

You should think about pulling the clutch plates out, wash them down in degreaser and clean up. You may find that the friction plates are within spec, not unusual. Wash everything in hot soapy water and let dry.. Get 400 grade wet / dry then deglaze the steel plates. Fit a new EBC diaphragm spring ( $ 45 and 10% stronger than stock), soak the friction plates in API SE,SF,SG mineral oil, change the engine oil to the same API grade, install the clutch and ride for another 200 000 kms. Forget the Barnett conversion and full synthetic oil. IMO.

FWIW

[camos]

You don't say how many Kms on the bike or what oil you are using.

If you're on synthetic you can expect slippage if the diaphragm spring is a bit weak after ??

The Virago has just under 100,000 Kms on it and I've only used Rotella-T 15W-40 oil. Seems a bit too soon for the clutch to be gone but, maybe not.

 

You should think about pulling the clutch plates out, wash them down in degreaser and clean up. You may find that the friction plates are within spec, not unusual. Wash everything in hot soapy water and let dry.. Get 400 grade wet / dry then deglaze the steel plates.

Yes, should do that before possibly buying parts I don't need.

 

Fit a new EBC diaphragm spring ( $ 45 and 10% stronger than stock), soak the friction plates in API SE,SF,SG mineral oil, change the engine oil to the same API grade, install the clutch and ride for another 200 000 kms. Forget the Barnett conversion and full synthetic oil. IMO.

FWIW

Looked before and just looked again, can't find EBC clutch spring for sale but did find a few Barnett conversion kits. No trouble finding EBC clutch plates.

[Blackmax88]

You could be right about the EBC spring for the XV1100 (1TA 16334-00-00). Don't know if the spring used in the VMX1200 and Gen I Ventures will fit ( 1FK 16334-00-00 ) you could check with "Parts Giant". Yep, at 100k/kms the clutch should still be OK with normal use. We've had a couple of RSV and a Vmax in with clutch slip. In all cases the plates measured up within spec and the friction inserts did not appear hardened or burned. With the Vmax, the spring was replaced with an EBC after market although the OEM spring was within spec). Both the RSVs had the clutch plates cleaned up and deglazed as mentioned previously, and sent back out. That was several months ago and haven't been reported slipping since. Both RSVs had been on semi synthetic 10/40.

[camos]

Thanks BlackMax

 

Hopefully a cleanup will be all that needs to be done on my XV. Since I have the Venture to ride I can dismantle the Virago, see what's up, then order what ever parts are necessary.

[Blackmax88]

I've thrown the question of the EBC spring at a supplier, so see what turns up. Previously we (Vmaxers) have doubled up on the diaphragm spring known as a 'double D' improvement. It makes the pull on the lever a bit harder which of course you notice around town but cures any clutch slip. Don't know if you could do it with the Virago, should be possible, just involves fitting 2 springs. But you have a cable operated clutch so that may put some unacceptable strain on the cable. Umm, have to think about that.

BTW, what year is the Virago ?

[Blackmax88]

OK, I see it's a '96. The EBC dealer wanted to know.