What to do about my clutch. Please help.

[scottblack83]

I bought a 05 bulldog leftover in 09 and as soon as I got it i noticed the clutch would slip if you got on it pretty hard in 1st gear and keep slipping till i ran out of gears to grab. So I took it back to the dealer and he put in stiffer clutch spring in it from and newer model I believe he said. the slipping went away but the lever pull was hard as hell. But I lived with that till last fall when my clutch cable broke. So i took it back to the dealer and he said he was afraid this was going to happen with my clutch pull being so hard. He said I could put an easy pull kit on but alot of people that have the easy pull (like the newer models) are complaining about there clutch slipping . I don't want to go back to mine slipping again. I'm 27 years old and I like to get after it quite often, I love the power and speed. So then the dealer suggested putting in a Bandit clutch and he said that would solve all my problems (for $800+). Is there anything else I can do?

 

[Ratman]

Are you running synthetic fluid?

 

[erldawg]

Get it adjusted properly and try B&M Trick Shift in the primary..You can get it at autozone. I think it was like 6 bucks..

 

[woodbutcher]

pretty much, the dealer seems to know what he is talking about. a lot of torque translates to slippage if it is not dialed in dead nuts, or your left arm looks like popeye's. try taking the motorcycle riders safety class with the dog and see how your hand and arm feel at the end of the day. :roll::roll::2thumbs:

 

[lee]

$800 for a Bandit?? I thought I paid about $300 for mine. You could try the easy pull ball and ramp but keep the original clutch pack (assuming it ain't toast from the slippage)

 

[Moespeeds]

Take the time and learn to adjust it yourself, it shouldn't slip so it's probably just an adjustment issue and harder springs or not you shouldn't break the cable. Do a forum search on adjusting your clutch. In general slipping can be dialed out by going counterclockwise on the adjuster 1/8 turn at a time until it's right. If you start creeping before you adjust out the slipping than you want to goto harder springs or the plates are bad. Also make sure you got the right primary fluid in there. You could also take out the clutch pack and run some 120 grit sandpaper over all the steel plates, and check the fibers for damage or unusual wear. There now go get your fuckin' tools!

 

[troppushcet]

Just a suggestion, if you decide to get the easier pull clutch pack? Make sure your dome height is at least 0.040 and do not change the ball and ramp. Turn your clutch push rod in until you feel it touch the throw out bearing, then back it off a 1/4 turn, lock it down. Adjust your cable slack until you have 1/16 to zero slack. Don't forget to lube your cable.

 

[Ratman]

Why are you suggesting he not change the ball and ramp? I have just received the soft pull clutch kit and getting ready to try to install.

 

[scottblack83]

My clutch pull is VERY HARD. the cable itself didn't break the eyelet at the handlebar side broke. I have the tools but I have never tore into any bike yet and i'm afraid of doing more damage by not doing something right. the first two year of me owning this bike was under warranty. The clutch is fine because i only let it slip a couple of time when it was new and then they put the stiffer spring in and I couldn't get it to slip then. I could just put a new cable on but it will only be time till it breaks again and I ride across state monthly by myself so I want my bike reliable.

 

[scottblack83]

$800 for a Bandit?? I thought I paid about $300 for mine. You could try the easy pull ball and ramp but keep the original clutch pack (assuming it ain't toast from the slippage)

thats the price from the dealer for the clutch and cable and labor to do it.

 

[MARV]

the cable eyelet at the control breaking is unfortunately not uncommon on the BD's. heard a few guys here had received a replacement part for free from barnett

 

[lee]

just for info when I put the Bandit in mine I used two shims under each spring and the clutch pull was very hard. I bought the BDM easy pull but only used the ball & ramp - not the clutch pack (no idea why you need a new clutch pack unless you need a new clutch pack, which I didn't). Made a big difference.

 

[RRRUFF]

Get the easy pull ramp and balls, it will help and it will take some stress off of you cable also.

 

[barhopper]

the cable eyelet at the control breaking is unfortunately not uncommon on the BD's. heard a few guys here had received a replacement part for free from barnett

If any Barnett cable breaks, they will fix it for free. Just send it to them.

 

[troppushcet]

Why I suggest not changing your ball and ramp when changing your clutch pack to the easy pull clutch is because if your not dead on with the adjustment, you will have issues. The 11 plate clutch ball and ramp has more throw than the 9 plate clutch ball and ramp. I have seen adjustment mistakes made because the tech thinks they have seated the clutch push rod to the throw out bearing and have not then back it off a 1/4 turn (which you should keep it closer to a 1/8) and your bike creeps at stop lights or they think they have seated the clutch push rod to the throw out bearing and actually seated it and then some, then your clutch slips.
So if you do decide to go with the 9 plate clutch? I would not change the ball and ramp, make sure you at least have 0.040 dome height (this so your clutch doen't slip when hot) and your adjustment is a full 1/4 turn and your cable slack is zero to 1/16 of slack. Don't forget to lube your cable too. Your clutch pull will still be easier and the preformance you will like.

 

[seatmaker]

Bandit without a doubt, shop around or do it yourself. :2thumbs:

 

[jimizee028]

Honestly mine has slipped from day one,however I am a little older and wiser and just aint 'ON' it alot,cause why should I replace the clutch until I have to,its been proven time and time again if you are having the clutch problem,the way to solve it seems to go with the bandit clutch,its not that difficult a job and if you have any m,echanical apptitude and tools you could pull it off.....As for going to the store and adding any type of magic elixirs,special sauces and tricked out juices to pour into your trans or primary in hopes of solving your problem,well an age ole saying seems to come to mind..........a suckers born every minute.......good luck and keep us abreasted of your situation.........

 

[Fibersnake]

I have an 05 and I did replace one clutch cable that did break at the clutch end. When I did, it had probably 14k on it, since replacement another 8K or so and no issues.

The older 05 have more plates than the newer ones and were hard to pull than the newer with the easy pull. That said, have never had an issue with slippage in normal opeations and perfectly happy with the 05 style.

Use nothing special in regards to oil other than good ole RevTech Primary Fluid and make sure I change it ever so often, not expensive and givec me a chance to adjust the primary chain and check the clutch carrier, plates and lock nuts for any damage, wear or things going south.

Adjust my own and there is plenty of information on here to give ideas of how, Easy to do with a little practice. No need paying the dealer to screw it up.

 

[BigDogrunner31]

Ya Drive it like u Own it instead of like u stoll it

 

[phatchopper300]

the cable eyelet at the control breaking is unfortunately not uncommon on the BD's. heard a few guys here had received a replacement part for free from barnett

Yep send it to Barnett and they will replace it for free just ship it to them.