Replace clutch plates or not?

justdave · Dec 30, 2009

I ordered a factory pro shift kit for my 98 gsxr 750; which arrived today.
I then pulled out my haynes manual to find that I need to remove the clutch basket to get at the existing shift pawls.

My bike has 8500 miles on it and the clutch does not slip.
Can I get away with just pulling the basket out, installing the shiftkit and putting the basket back in? Or should I take the time and replace the clutch now? (Have used barnett in the past on an rd350.... I see they make a full kit for the gsxr).

Also; the manual says to replace a spring "as it's size is easily damaged and not seen" and 3 screws that "can stretch under the force w/o the nut.. holding it in place" Should I order these parts from the dealer?

So, as I see the options:

Pull clutch basket, install shift kit; replace basket, done.
PUll clutch basket, replace screws & special spring, leaving clutch as is
pull basket, replace with a clutch kit
pull basket, replace with a clutch kit and the other spring & 3 screws?

Obviously; I'm trying to cheap out; I just don't want to have some screw snap in a few miles...

Thanks,
Just dave

jassing · Dec 30, 2009

Having had a clutch disintegrate on me; I'd go with replace it all. Getting to it is "all the hard work" (even tho it is easy); it would suck to have a screw get stressed and snap and destory your motor because you were cheap & lazy....

if you don't need a race clutch; I'd go with as cheap as you can find, and buy a kit. I've had good luck with barnett, but some have said they got very few miles out of them. Be careful; some clutch material doesn't work with synth oil (I found out the hard way....) I run stock clutch plates with heavy springs.

Just follow the manual and you'll be fine. (btw: I looked in both my suz shop and haynes manuals; I only found reference to replacing the 3 diaghram spring holder screws "as a matter of course" -- no reference to a spring, except "as needed'. (ie: worn out).

jassing · Dec 30, 2009

I would double check with barnett (and other kits) to see what springs (if any) they include. Barnett's image looks like you may want to pick up some springs (on Ron Ayers Clutch Page 2 of #5, I recall mine were technically out of spec by 8K on my bike)

GSXR-Freak · Dec 30, 2009

If it isnt slipping, I would keep running it.
I have been able to get over 15K miles on a OEM clutch with one barnett spring. They can go for a long time.

It is really up to you, but you dont HAVE to replace it.

John

freestyler · Dec 31, 2009

GSXR-Freak said:
If it isnt slipping, I would keep running it.
I have been able to get over 15K miles on a OEM clutch with one barnett spring. They can go for a long time.

It is really up to you, but you dont HAVE to replace it.

John

I agree, if the clutch don't slip leave it all together. It depents on your riding style but you can do over 30.000 miles with the same plates and spring.
Check also the springs in the backside of the outer clutch basket if they are ok.

the[K]id · Jan 2, 2010

Replace the three small screws, after a use or two they begin to round out, and cost bugger all, just grab half a dozen. Everything else I'd just measure first, no point replacing perfectly good plates.

Oh, and stay stock plates and srpings, or stock with 1 barnett spring. Every suzuki I have ridden, owned or heard about was better off with stock plates then any of the barnett offerings.

GSXR-Freak · Jan 2, 2010

If you use the 3 small screws correctly, there is no need to ever replace them. It just takes time. If you turn each one 2 turns at a time, they will not strip out. Also using the correct sized screw driver helps.

John

Replace clutch plates or not?

justdave

jassing

jassing

GSXR-Freak

freestyler

the[K]id

GSXR-Freak

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