Robert.howard79
Member
Was having some clutch problems.... Read quite a bit on the forum, and it sounded as though I need to adjust my clutch. After reading the very informative How-To sections, I gave it a shot, however I couldn't get the thing adjusted. The tranny would either be easy to shift and slip through gears or clunk into first really hard and walk or creep in first gear. So, spoke to Kent and Energy One (the maker of our 9 plate Baker clutch) who told me to tear it down and measure the plates to ensure I hadn't worn the clutch out. Ideally they should measure .098 +/- .003 according to Kent who was very helpful. So, tore it down after reading a lot on the forum about the Bandit replacement How-To and found something pretty interesting... The deepest friction plate's outer tabs were chewed down, and the resulting metal shavings were mostly on the outside and inside of the cover plate. The plates measured .0965 on the dial caliper, so the clutch plates are not worn to an unacceptable level. Any thoughts on why just the deepest plate would do this? Will contact Baker and Kent and Energy One to see what they say. Clutch claims to be warrantied to 5 years or 50,000 miles. Will keep everyone posted. Thanks for the great How-Tos that enabled me to tear into the primary.
Have always had a hard time understanding why people don't stand by their products. Almost every issue I've had, the first response has been about how I must have done something wrong.... Had to have the tank repainted b/c the paint saver was installed lop sided and the cap scratched my paint. Had to have the rear fender repainted cause the passenger seat fell apart and the bolts sat under it and tore the paint to hell. Chrome has fallen off the grips and BD won't touch it because accessories are covered for just 90 days (but they will promptly tell you they switched chromers, so buy some new properly chromed ones for $200 and it won't happen again). Tach had to be replaced cause it went haywire. Authorized dealer broke Turk's head bolt off cause BD's manual read foot pounds instead of inch pounds. BD just helicoiled it, and now it leaks. Don't build it if you won't stand behind it (stand behind means fix it, not band-aid it). BD didn't have to beg, plead, push, bargain, or threaten to get my money; Why do I have to do that to get them to fix crap? And people wonder why Americans buy foreign stuff. I don't. Been a love / hate relationship with this bike. Wish people would do what's right; Wish I lived in Wichita.
