Which clutch pack should I get?

What's the current wisdom on clutches?

My '98's clutch has started slipping at about 7000 RPM at full throttle (possibly more since I changed to fully synthetic oil), so I'm starting to consider my options for a new clutch. There's a good amount of freeplay (1/8 to 1/6 of full throw) on the lever before it starts disengaging, and it's disengaged by half way to the bar. The lever feel is also good, without notchiness.

I do a lot of stop-start riding and filtering between stationary cars (it's my everyday ride), so I want something progressive, not on/off. It also needs to be able to take some heat from slipping the clutch while slow maneuvring.

I've found a synthetic motorcycle oil with wet clutch certification that I like, so I'd prefer not to get a clutch that doesn't like synthetics.

The clutch needs to withstand "full noise" for the occasional track day.

What advice can people give me on which type and brand to buy? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

stock OEM honda replacements along with new springs. So its: friction disks, steel disks, and springs...sometimes you can just replace the friction disks along with the springs...thats just my opinion though...I still got my first Mick Doohan brain bucket up on the mantel yah know :wink:

 

When I do mine...again...I am going with this one with the stiffer springs. If you are lucky you can find a kit on Ebay

Barnett Performance Products | Products | Clutch Plates & Springs

 

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I'm still confused, because I've heard that the cork clutches aren't suitable for use with synthetic oil, and I've heard that carbon and kevlar clutches are a bit like an on/off switch. Does anyone have any further info that could help?

 

Hi danny

I replaced mine and feel alot better even at slow speed in fact i think low revs at 2500-3000 its alot smoother

I used heavy duty ebc clutch plates and heavy duty springs , my vfr 750 has done 47,000 miles the springs where weak and the plates really worn,

did say on the clutch plates to not use fully sinthetic oil though i assume cause slippage , check with a bike shop

I installed mine myself check youtube i found great video, oh dont do what i did when you take cover of there gear cog that might fall out its inbetween starter and you need to put washer behind it other wsie the bike wont turn over not in front

i was going to go with the semi carbon plates myself but that take up thing sounded good hehe
i might have gone with the full clutch kit insteed of buying the parts sep might worked out better
as you get steel plates with that, my plates where okay not warped, think mostley there fine.

Do check the clutch basket where plates go through apprently they can wear ridges which u can file not to much just so can fiantly see them,

job was really easy to do get new gasket though i used silicin rtw as well as mine leaked little mind you i broke new gasket

oh there one cork plate thats much thiner that goes on first to the back of the basket

 

Thanks for the info actungbaby.

I contacted EBC, and someone sent me an email. They confirmed that fully synthetic oils can cause clutch slip. I did ask if there's an exception for JASO MA certified motorcycle oils, but the reply was "We recommend nothing more than a semi synthetic oils as we have found that a fully synthetic oil has caused clutch slip".

Well... If I'm going to go back to a semi-synthetic oil, I guess I might as well wait and see if my clutch slip disappears after I do my next service...

Thanks again all for your advice!

 

Thanks for emailing them yeah i brought semi synethic b4 brought the clutch plates but did say container as
checked after i fitted the plates it says works okay with bike clutchs its brand i havent heard of b4 got from local bike shop , u might as well wait its not going damage the bike. just slips at high revs and full throttle like mine did
B4 i changed the plates