For Japanese Brand
Bikes
There may be some other tools needed
for certain installations, but this is based on a "typical"
clutch installation. Most of the areas covered will be an
explanation of procedure and tips to make
the installation easier. You will definitely want to refer
to, and have ready during installation,
a repair manual for your specific motorcycle. I also want to
add that this is based on a Japanese "wet"
type clutch using typical clutch springs. This means a
clutch that runs IN oil. Dry clutches are NOT to
be installed with this procedure, they will be damaged.
Now you will be more familiar with
your bike and the parts that make the clutch work. Locate
the clutch cover
on the motor. Usually this is the right rear (as you are
sitting on the bike) cover on an inline twin/triple/four.
Also most v-twins are located hear. However some bikes can
have the clutch on the front or the rear of the bike.
Examples would be a Honda CX and GL500/650's with the
clutches on the front of the motor facing forward and the
GL1000/1100/1200/1500/1800 Honda's have the clutches in the
back of the engine. Be aware of this before you start.
If you need to remove an exhaust like on some VN1500
Vulcan's then you will need a exhaust gasket too. Or, you
could
have a Goldwing and removal or moving the motor is
necessary. You will definitely want this installation info
before you turn a wrench.
OK, now we have located the clutch cover, we have our tools, and we know that we have all of the extra goodies needed for our SPECIFIC bike.
Lay out about 3 or 4 clean shop rags. Use the rags to lay out the parts as you remove them.
Remove clutch cable if mounted to the
cover. You will notice that the clutch cover is bordered
with bolts or screws.
These will be one of the following; 8mm bolts, Phillips
Screws, or 5mm socket head (Allen) bolts. Remove the bolts
or
screws carefully and evenly. Crack them all loose and then
remove them in a cross pattern until you have only one bolt
left at the very top of the cover. If you have Phillips
screws USE THE IMPACT to break the bolts loose. You will be
happy
you did. Firmly hold the cover and tap around the cover with
the rubber mallet. You should hear the thumping sound the
mallet
makes get deeper when the cover breaks loose. When the cover
breaks loose, remove the last bolt at the top and work the
cover
off. Do not attempt to pry the cover off. Some models WILL
give you fits, but I GUARANTEE they are nothing compared to
replacing
the engine cases or a permanent oil leak left by our
favorite pry bar or screwdriver. Some clutch covers will
have two locating
pins. If the cover gets crooked, they will stick. Pull the
cover off evenly.
Now you should have the clutch exposed
Your clutch consists of a
few basic parts.
Some manuals refer to these items with different names. I will be using the names above to refer to the various clutch parts.
OUTER CLUTCH HUB REMOVAL
Remove the bolts that are holding the
clutch springs. Be sure to remove the bolts little by little in
a cross pattern. Some hubs will
break if not removed this way. After you have all of the
springs removed you will need to pull the outer hub out of the
basket. Remember
to refer to your manual. Some bikes, like early Honda's have a
outer clutch hub bolt that must be removed too. Inspect the hub
for cracks
or extreme wear at the clutch contact area inside the hub.
Replace if necessary, but this part is typically OK.
Now you will want to make sure the new
clutch you bought is the same size and amount of plates that
you removed from the bike. Never install
more or less clutches than your bike calls for unless the
clutch is a custom clutch made to do so.
INSTALLATION OF NEW FIBERS
Now you have made sure the new clutches are the same as the old ones, let's prep for assembly.
Clean the old gasket material from the clutch cover and the exposed engine cases. Clean ALL gasket fragments that fall into basket. Use a shop rag to protect the inside of the motor. Inspect the inside of the basket for clutch debris and metal shavings. Clean out thoroughly.
Make sure your new clutches are in a
stack that is the SAME as the old stack that was removed. Same
with the metal plates. Take your flat pan
specified in the tools needed section and pour the oil into the
CLEAN pan and place it just under the clutch cover on the
ground. You are ready to install.
Pick up the first plate in the stack (the last one you pulled from the motor).
Lay the fiber clutch plate in the pan of
oil. Make sure the oil completely covers the new fiber clutch
plate and inset it into the clutch
basket. There will be knobs around the outside of the clutch
plate that insert into the grooves of the basket. Push the
plate all the way to
the back. Next you will insert a metal plate the same way
except the metal clutch plate has its grooves on the inside
perimeter of the plate
and they slide into the grooves of the inner clutch hub.
Continue to install fiber-metal-fiber-metal-fiber until you run
out of plates.
You should end up with a fiber plate last. Don't forget to
submerge each plate in oil as you go.
Outer Clutch Hub Installation
Clean off the outer hub and run a ring
of clean oil around the clutch contact surface on the inside of
the hub. Place the hub in place and
make sure it is fully seated. If the hub does not seat turn it
one bolt space clockwise until it seats. After this you can
re-install the
center hub nut on bikes where it was necessary to remove and or
re-install the springs and spring bolts. IMPORTANT Install the
spring bolts
about 4-5 threads at a time in a cross pattern. You may damage
your outer hub if you tighten this part unevenly. Torque the
spring bolts to specs.
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN. You could break the inner hub so torqueing
these bolts is critical.
Cover Installation
You can now re-install your new clutch
cover gasket and cover. Use sealer if necessary. I prefer to
NOT use sealant unless I need to for easy removal
next time. Totally seat clutch cover and install all bolts
snug. Then torque all bolts in a cross pattern so you do not
warp your cover.
Clutch Cable Adjustment
Re-install the clutch cable. You will
want to re-adjust the cable to work with the new clutches. Most
bikes have a clutch adjustment system
that will need to be adjusted BEFORE the cable is adjusted.
refer to your manual for your specific procedure. After you
adjust the main clutch
adjustment (if applicable) then you adjust the cable. If you
have a hydraulic clutch you will not need to do this.
I hope this information helps to make the
installation of your new clutch as easy as possible and saves
you some money!
Please let me know if this helps and if you feel I left out any
important info.
Rob Eberle CYCLE-RE-CYCLE PART
II
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