New clutch slipping A LOT

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Jim DeFina, Oct 10, 2022.

  1. Jim DeFina

    Jim DeFina New Member

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    Hello fellow VFR’s . I recently replaced the clutch discs and springs on my 94VFR. This is only my 2nd clutch job so I may have missed something installation went as it should the only thing I did differently was to inspect the clutch plates. I put them all in a plate of glass to make sure they were flat. And lightly blocked sanded w/1000 grit any plates that showed burn makes or glazing rinsed and cleaned them all off .
    when I got on the bike ride I noticed the clutch handle was a little bit heavier. Which is good and to be expected I w/Barnett heavy duty springs. But when I went to ride the bike the clutch barely engage and made the bike move. Like at all. couldn’t get over couple miles an hour . The engine will just spin. I checked my oil level (Rotella t4) and it’s on the high side of the mark. I put in about 3.3qts. now I’m scratching my head what went wrong what did I miss
    Anything obvious I could have missed.
    Gonna tear her down again this evening to have a look.

    Thanks all for your input
    Jim D


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  2. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Did you soak the friction plates in oil before assembling and riding?

    This is obviously assuming everything is assembled correctly.
     
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  3. Jim DeFina

    Jim DeFina New Member

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    Yes, I had them soaking for about 4 hours . Assembled correctly , I will double check this evening …


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  4. 50th VFR

    50th VFR New Member

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    Degree of slip seems high for this possible cause - but car or truck engine oils contain friction inhibitors which may just be cause of your slip post rebuild and before rebuild.

    Always use motorcycle specific oils without friction inhibitors.
     
  5. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Well shit. Something's amiss.
     
  6. 50th VFR

    50th VFR New Member

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  7. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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  8. Jim DeFina

    Jim DeFina New Member

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    Yes, the Rotella t4 is for diesel engines. But is also good for Motorsports w/wet clutches and cost half of typical Motul oils.
    I’m at work on it now. Oil drained , side cover is coming off now. Not sure what I’m looking for. Hopefully something obvious ….


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  9. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Your sequence of friction and metal discs was correct I guess, there is a special smaller friction disk that goes in the basket first if my memory suits me correct. There is a bevel on the metals where the flat edge faces towards you. Just take it apart again and start fresh.
     
  10. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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  11. Jim DeFina

    Jim DeFina New Member

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    So over the weekend I took her apart again, s l o w l y paying close attention to how it was assembled…everything came apart as and went together as:
    Spring seat & judder spring with clutch disc A. Got it
    Then alternate 8 clutch disc and 8 clutch plates Got it
    Install lifter plate w/5 new Barnett HD springs. Tighten down in cross cross pattern 9ft lbs
    Replaced engine oil Rotella T4.
    STILL SLIPS!!! Wtf.

    The only thing I can think of is maybe the springs I ordered are the wrong ones. They are slightly longer and thicker gauge (see pic) or maybe my Lifter rod for some reason isn’t fully allowing the clutch to engage ?
    Anyway I now have new discs and the original springs and I’m gonna do this job for the 3rd time !!
    Hopefully 3rd times a charm….[​IMG][​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Yea [​IMG]


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  12. Grum

    Grum New Member

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    Hi Jim.
    Just wondering! Are you absolutely sure the new clutch plate thicknesses etc. meet the Honda spec? I do recall someone using a non OEM clutch kit only to discover this and caused bad slipping issues. Fitting a Honda OEM kit sorted out the slipping issues.
     
  13. Jim DeFina

    Jim DeFina New Member

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    Well I did not measure the thickness of the new discs. But I suppose that’s an idea…
    Unfortunately after swapping out the discs for the new EBC ones the bike doesn’t even move when I engage the clutch. I’ve talked to my local mechanic , he’s baffled as well. But after 3 attempts I’m gonna have to bring her to my mechanic for a look. I’m sure it’s something simple. It’s just very frustrating when I’ve done a few clutches on other bikes and this the 2 on a VFR. All of which turned out perfect, until this one …..


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  14. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Its never a slam dunk, I have done lots of clutches on same style bikes, sometimes they fly back together, other times there are things that hold you up. My own kawasaki EX500 I replaced the springs with the bike on the lift on the side stand, did not drain oil, job took 5 minutes, old gasket did not even rip! I go to put cover on and it fought me for several attempts. There is a finger set up inside the cover that did not line up, (seemed like it did, but I had no lever pressure) it worked out in the end though. Perseverance works in your favour, btw - the stiffer clutch springs worked out great, I like the lever feel and the bike has a super fast clutch now. Keep us posted
     
  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    This brings up a good point. Did the slave cylinder extend out when the clutch was disassembled? If you were trying to re-compress the slave cylinder with the clutch pressure plate when assembling, it might have got stuck or cocked, thus never letting the springs compress the plates against each other.
     
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  16. Jim DeFina

    Jim DeFina New Member

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    well I finally figured it out. and The Captain was very close with his prognosis. it was the clutch rod that had extended when I replaced the disc pack, but when it extended pressure from the master cylinder wouldnt allow it to go back fully, therefore the clutch never fully engaged. just bleed the system and all was back to normal.
    for the record I ended up using Barnett HD springs and EBC discs. The clutch lever is only a little bit heavier (im already used to it) and the grip is excellent. You really snap through all the gears. and off the line grip is excellent, front wheel is off the ground a lot easier.

    Thanks to all of you who got me pointed in the right direction.
    This forum is super helpful and y'all good peeps!

    Regards,
    JimD
     
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  17. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Glad you got it sorted. It was really the only explanation as you seemed very capable of reassembling a clutch pack. When you took apart again and it was worse, I felt even more confident.

    Btw... The clutch rod "extends" because the Slave extends (and pushes the rod) by pressure from the Master, just like a brake system.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2022
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