VFR Discussion Group -> Clutch replacement, aftermarket or stock?

I pulled my clutch apart last night. The metal plate look good. The friction plates
are all within the standard measurements of .115" to .121". But are all on the lower end .116" for most of them. Most of the springs are under the 1.75" too.
Not by much, but a few thousands here and there can add up. So since I have it
apart anyway I'm going to replace it.

My question is, aftermarket or stock? For example EBC makes a kevlar kit, but I have heard that the uptake is a bit more abrupt, than stock would be. But with the
number of track days I have for this year and probably next I was thinking of just going aftermarket.

Never tried the EBC, but I had a Barnett clutch in my '86 VFR and was very happy with it.

If you're keeping the bike, I'd do the friction and metal plates, plus the HD springs all in one shot.

Barnett used to make an extra-plate kit, and that's what I used in my bike.

FWIW, I'd probably just drop the oil and filter and do an oilchange at the same time. It makes the job less messy.

Just be sure to soak the new clutch plates in fresh oil for an hour or so beforehand. Heck, even overnight would be fine if you plan ahead.

I ordered the EBC kit. I was holding off on the oil change till I did this anyway
so the bike was already empty. Hopefully I will have the parts by the weekend.

Dennis The Menace, Apr 27 2005, 11:12 AMI ordered the EBC kit.� I was holding off on the oil change till I did this anyway
so the bike was already empty.� Hopefully I will have the parts by the weekend.

I see the EBC Kevlar kit comes with the extra plate.

You should like it a lot I think.

BTW, on my '86, I had to remove the "judder spring" in the clutch pack to make room for the extra plate as per Barnett's instructions.

I dunno if your '96 has it or not, but you may want to check the instructions and factory service manual and see because the assembly might be too thick with the extra plate + the judder spring (assuming you have one, that is).

Page 193:

http://www.ebcbrakes.com/Assets/usacat2005.pdf

Dennis The Menace, Apr 27 2005, 05:01 AM 
I pulled my clutch apart last night.  The metal plate look good.  The friction plates 
are all within the standard measurements of .115" to .121".  But are all on the lower end .116" for most of them.  Most of the springs are under the 1.75" too. 
Not by much, but a few thousands here and there can add up.  So since I have it 
apart anyway I'm going to replace it. 
 
 

I was wondering why you didn't perform routine clutch maintenance to bring the plates back biting 100%??? your stock plates are still with spec but they just need cleaning and conditioning...

1) Soak plates in Acetone to remove contaminates...

2) Ruff up the friction plates to bust the glaze...
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1113861108/gallery_3131_51_129667.jpg)

3)Ruff up the steel plates under a Wire wheel...
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1113861108/gallery_3131_51_40098.jpg)

4) soak plates again in Acetone to insure they are clean for oiling...

Having got 140,000ish KM out of the std honda plates why would you want more? and I left the steel plates in as they were fine.

vfrgreg, Apr 27 2005, 03:24 PM
Having got 140,000ish KM out of the std honda plates why would you want more? and I left the steel plates in as they were fine.

Because 140,000km = 86,991 miles... clutches are designed to go 100,000 miles or 160,000km... in fact I have a Steak Dinner bet with my friend in New York that my clutch plates will indeed go 100,000 mile mark...

BusyLittleShop, Apr 27 2005, 12:50 PMI was wondering why you didn't perform routine clutch maintenance to bring the plates back biting 100%???  your stock plates are still with spec but they just need cleaning and conditioning...
 
1) Soak plates in Acetone to remove contaminates... 
 
2) Ruff up the friction plates to bust the glaze... 

So how much more material do you think came off when you roughed up the friction plates. another thou maybe. With plates that are already close to their limit
taking another half thou even off each one, and not replacing springs or anything
would just envite the clutch to start slipping again in the near future. There would not be enough pressure on the plates. Since its all apart and its only $130 for
an EBC Kevlar kit with springs, I figured that was the way to go.

Dennis The Menace, Apr 28 2005, 05:24 AM 
So how much more material do you think came off when you roughed up the friction plates. another thou maybe. 
 

You're not removing material as much as you are busting the glaze on the plate...

Stock Honda new = .152

EBC new= .150

Stock Honda roughed up 3 times = .151

As you can see I still have more thickness than a new EBC... let's hope your new VFR EBCs measure up to stock thickness than mine did for the RC45... well???