Clutch spring pressure

[lee]

Does anyone know how much pressure your clutch springs need to prevent the clutch from slipping relative to HP / Torque - is there a general rule of thumb at all?

I've just done the Bandit and set it up according to the instructions at 300 lbs. The lever is pretty stiff at this setting. I'm guessing my numbers would be around 110-115 HP - torque possibly similar. Any ideas?

Thanks boys

 

[Fibersnake]

Lee,

It would be hard to say, but going with the recommendations from Bandit for their clutch should get you in right nieghborhood. Besides spring pressure, a major factor if not the biggest factor is the clutch materials and surfaces areas. More disc with more adhesion surface area of better gripping surface may not require nearly as much clamping pressure as something with less area.

 

[117bigdog]

call bandit. they told me that the spring pressure I was using was overkill and the handle was a little stiff. I can't recall what I have in there now but the pull on the handle is allot better than the stock handle, and I have around 120 hp and no slipage.

 

[lee]

yep totally understood gents - thanks for the comments

I'm guessing 300 lbs with 14 kevlar plates (what the Bandit has) is more than enough. I rode 150 miles with it today and its not too bad but when we got stuck at road works it did start to hurt my hand. I may just get a Muller power clutch (ramp assembly) and leave the springs as they are.

 

[Gas Man]

I'm not sure about your banditt setup but do you have any shims in your spring cups? Do you have the outer spring cups flat with the outer clutch plate? They say in the instructions to ensure they are flush. That means not having the bolts bottomed out.

 

[lee]

yeah the cups are flush - the shims, as you say, are inside the cups - I've emailed Bandit today so will let you what their view is. Mine is different to yours on the picture - I have 4 springs, looks like you have 6!

 

[Gas Man]

Yeah mine is the bruiser clutch.

The shims in the cups are just for more pressure as I read. I have mine installed as above.. but the screws aren't tight... spun in to a flush point. I'm going to call them to verify this...

 

[Gas Man]

Spoke to John, the owner, and he said the problem sometimes is that the clutch rod extension isn't sitting correctly on the spring plate causing mine to sit out. To install the extension onto the plate and slide onto the basket as one piece to avoid this problem.

Real nice guy, knowledgeable, and helpfull. And I asked if he spoke to wanker named Lee and he said yes on email. :lol:

 

[lee]

And I asked if he spoke to wanker named Lee and he said yes on email. :lol:

prick :roll:

I asked him today about the spring pressure and he said he would recommend for my bike (I told him 120 HP to be safe) 2 shims on each spring - luckily that's exactly what I did. He also said if my lever was stiff (I could of phrased that better!) then the cable probably needs lubing. He also told me how they lube cables (unhook the cable from the handlebar housing, get a small plastic bag with a hole in it and fill it with some oil, support it up in the air for a couple hours and let the oil find its way down through the cable cover).

You're right Chris he is a good man - very very helpful - can't do enough for you. Great company in my book. :2thumbs:

 

[Gas Man]

Yeah he told me the same thing on the shims... I don't have any in mine.. but maybe I should put some in... Havent had any slipping but maybe do it anyway...

what ya think guys?

 

[PROFLYER]

If the man says shim your lever...I'd shim your lever...er clutch...good to know Lee's lever is hard, prob needs some lube now that it's good and stiff....wanker

 

[Gas Man]

Pro... what about my clutch? Shim that too? Use the same ones as for my lever? :lol:

 

[lee]

its amazing where these conversations end up going

Hey Gas - at least you don't have to drain primary fluids and remove primary covers etc to do yours - lucky bastard

 

[bdmridgeback]

I didn't use any shims and kept the soft lever (?) because of the traffic down here.

 

[lee]

I didn't use any shims and kept the soft lever (?) because of the traffic down here.

I'm wondering if you have different springs to me though Jake - I remember you saying your springs were rated at 280 lbs - mine without shims are 216 according to the instructions I got

 

[Gas Man]

Pro... what about my clutch? Shim that too? Use the same ones as for my lever? :lol:

Yeah I know...

I put in the 2 shims today... definately stiffened up the clutch pull... wonder if there will be any problems with the cable due to too much clutch spring tension??????

 

[lee]

I'm thinking along those lines too - Muller power clutch for me I think - worked great on the Heritage and i think you can get one for our bikes too