ALTO 8 Plate Clutch Mod XS650SK

[jetmechmarty]

I was suffering a slipping clutch. I swapped out plates with a spare engine I have and the clutch was still slipping. So....
I acquired an Alto eight plate clutch conversion from @gggGary. (Thanks Gary!) He also provided me with a new steel plate.
My 1983 XS650SK has a six plate clutch. This is the case with 1980 to 1983(1984) XS650s. So, I decided to try a seven plate conversion rather than swap the entire clutch assembly.
I loosened the clutch cable and the clutch adjustment on the left engine cover and I drained the engine oil. I removed right side engine cover and then the six spring loaded bolts that hold the clutch together. I replaced all of the friction plates with the Alto plates plus one and the additional steel. I should add here that I worked the steel plates with 100 garnet paper to break the glaze.
After reassembly I added 2.5 qts of Lucas full synthetic motorcycle oil JASO MA-2. It sat like that for a couple of days and I occasionally pushed the kicker down a few times with the clutch handle squeezed to wet the clutch. After a few days, I adjusted the clutch and cable and rode it. I gave it a good hard run.

IT'S FIXED! NO MORE SLIPPING. I have a seven plate conversion.

 

[gggGary]

Marty was the pioneer on this.
@5twins had done the math and said it would work. So we believed him and tried it.
Success. Well at first blush anyways. If I know Marty (and I do) he'll wring it out and let us know how it goes over time/miles.

Was out on Madness tonight after it sat for a week or so, it left the ranch with no issues or judder even on first release of the day.

 

[yamahammer]

Is the dampened hub a nice improvement over the regular clutch? I don't expect Yamaha made a change like this for no reason.

 

[5twins]

I feel it is. The 650 doesn't have a cush drive in the rear hub, the sprocket is solid mounted. Instead there are 6 little coil springs on the back of the clutch basket to absorb drive line snatch. Over time and with lots of use (and/or abuse), these springs can start breaking. So, anything to ease the strain on them is a good thing and the dampened inner hub does that.

 

[yamahammer]

I found a good deal on a whole 6 plate setup from a special, I'm going to give it a shot, I prefer a smooth clutch.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I found a good deal on a whole 6 plate setup from a special, I'm going to give it a shot, I prefer a smooth clutch.

I'm not otherwise experienced having ridden the XS650SK since 1983. I have no complaints about how the clutch works.

 

[gggGary]

5twins seems to say the 6 spring as used in all the XS clutches is a good thing not specifically the the late 6 plate change.
It seems like I have run into more of the late 6 plate clutches that slip compared to the earlier 7 plate. Then again I tend to find more of the later specials hiding in barns n sheds.....

 

[yamahammer]

I'm going to use the Alto plates so I'll be able to fit 7 in there. I'm going to try one last time to get the electric start to work while I'm in there but If I can't get it I'm going to rip that junk out for a bit more oil capacity.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I'm going to use the Alto plates so I'll be able to fit 7 in there.

Yep. Works good! I'm hopping on the 650 every chance I get. Synthetic oil and all! No slip.

 

[yamahammer]

I have a few miles on my late clutch hub with 7 friction plates now and I really like the improvement. I can even get neutral half the time now!