dps650rider
XS650 Addict
I have found another source of slipping clutches that I haven't found any mention of. I have noticed that the amount of free play in my clutch varies a bit with load and also depends on the gear I am in. If I am cruising in 5th the free play is the same as when I am stopped. Under a load in 4th the free play mostly disappears. There do seem to be effects in the lower gears but I never stay in them very long so did not experiment that much with them.
What I suspected was happening was the transmission shaft walking a bit from left to right. I had noticed this issue a couple seasons ago but with heavier than stock springs and plates in good shape it was not a problem so I forgot about it. My engine has quite a bit more torque than stock so no surprise with the need to beef up the clutch.
I started having issues with it slipping under heavy load again so in the process of fixing up the clutch I investigated the changing free play. My first suspicion was play in the main ball bearing which serves as the thrust bearing on the trans input shaft. I checked that and it's basically like new, my bike has a lot of miles on it but the trans was replaced a few seasons ago with one in just about perfect condition so no surprise.
When I pushed and pulled harder on the shaft I could feel a bit of movement and upon close inspection I could see that the bearing was moving in the case a bit and that was the cause of the motion. Since the riding season is getting close to the end and I knew I could stop the slipping by working on the clutch (roughing up the plates, using a combination of thicker early plates and stock plates to get the correct installed height for the springs) I did that and have no more problems with slipping.
So I have been thinking about ways to fix this over the winter, one thought I had was putting a bit of Locktite in the groove where the bearing retainer ring fits into the case. Any other thoughts on this?
Seeing this problem makes me wonder if there are other bikes out there with similar problems...
What I suspected was happening was the transmission shaft walking a bit from left to right. I had noticed this issue a couple seasons ago but with heavier than stock springs and plates in good shape it was not a problem so I forgot about it. My engine has quite a bit more torque than stock so no surprise with the need to beef up the clutch.
I started having issues with it slipping under heavy load again so in the process of fixing up the clutch I investigated the changing free play. My first suspicion was play in the main ball bearing which serves as the thrust bearing on the trans input shaft. I checked that and it's basically like new, my bike has a lot of miles on it but the trans was replaced a few seasons ago with one in just about perfect condition so no surprise.
When I pushed and pulled harder on the shaft I could feel a bit of movement and upon close inspection I could see that the bearing was moving in the case a bit and that was the cause of the motion. Since the riding season is getting close to the end and I knew I could stop the slipping by working on the clutch (roughing up the plates, using a combination of thicker early plates and stock plates to get the correct installed height for the springs) I did that and have no more problems with slipping.
So I have been thinking about ways to fix this over the winter, one thought I had was putting a bit of Locktite in the groove where the bearing retainer ring fits into the case. Any other thoughts on this?
Seeing this problem makes me wonder if there are other bikes out there with similar problems...