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Re:Clutch slipping, again.....
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TOPIC: Re:Clutch slipping, again.....
#1025421
KondratkoJoe (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
So, this seems the best forum to ask advice...

My 1600 Roadstar has around 15k miles on it, and I've only owned it for the last 1000. I noticed that when I'm in 4th and 5th that, if I'm cruising and maintaining speed, if I open the throttle all the way as if to accelerate hard, the clutch seems like it's struggling to stay engaged. I'm handy, but I'm no expert at diagnosing engine problems.
It feels like this: cruising happy at 1/8th throttle, most of the time less. Then I twist open throttle to like 7/8th open. The RPMs will increase but the torque won't. Then the RPMs will climb down and once they get to some happy zone (no idea where or why), the torque will wake right up and pull hard as the RPMs increase again. It seems like the first increase in RPMs is when the clutch is partially engaged, and then the second increase is then the clutch is fully engaged. Am I wrong?
 
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#1025426
Shores (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
KondratkoJoe wrote:
So, this seems the best forum to ask advice...

My 1600 Roadstar has around 15k miles on it, and I've only owned it for the last 1000. I noticed that when I'm in 4th and 5th that, if I'm cruising and maintaining speed, if I open the throttle all the way as if to accelerate hard, the clutch seems like it's struggling to stay engaged. I'm handy, but I'm no expert at diagnosing engine problems.
It feels like this: cruising happy at 1/8th throttle, most of the time less. Then I twist open throttle to like 7/8th open. The RPMs will increase but the torque won't. Then the RPMs will climb down and once they get to some happy zone (no idea where or why), the torque will wake right up and pull hard as the RPMs increase again. It seems like the first increase in RPMs is when the clutch is partially engaged, and then the second increase is then the clutch is fully engaged. Am I wrong?


Sounds like a classic case of a slipping clutch. Make sure the clutch cable is adjusted properly with about a nickels thickness of slack between the clutch lever and the perch. If it still slips, it’s likely just the clutch spring which is easy to replace. The discs themselves are tough and usually OK unless you have worn them too much.
 
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#1025429
Questcap (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
Right, what he said... fairly common among our R*s, but not a terribly big deal to repair, and cost is perfectly reasonable, too. Under $60 and an afternoon, if you are at all handy.
 
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#1025449
ctkog (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
If you can afford it go Barnett. I added the EBC spring and still have some slipping. 08 1700 / stock.
 
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Last Edit: 2017/11/21 16:13 By ctkog.
 

---------- NOTHING STRAIGHTENS MY HEAD OUT BETTER THAN AN ENTIRELY CROOKED ROAD-----------
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#1025452
129drifter (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
Kondratkojoe

My Roadie was doing the exact thing you are describing several years ago. I installed the Barnett kit and no problems since then. I tend to be heavy handed at times on the throttle and it works great.

You will need the gasket for the clutch cover to install it. I went ahead and changed the Mobil 1 V Twin 20w50 full synthetic motorcycle oil and Yamaha OEM filter like I had been using previously at the same time. Be advised oil designed for automobiles has friction reducers and will cause your clutch to slip like you are talking about.

There are lots of words of wisdom about the Barnett install in the history of this forum if you search a bit.

I remember having to wiggle and rotate the purple Barnett plate a bit to get it to lock in properly was key to making the finished product work well. I did it on my back patio in a couple hours with another bud looking on and laughing at my marginal mechanical skills.

The hardest part was getting all the old gasket material off so the new one would seal up correctly.
 
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Last Edit: 2017/11/21 17:29 By 129drifter.
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#1025469
txulrich (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
129drifter wrote:
Kondratkojoe

My Roadie was doing the exact thing you are describing several years ago. I installed the Barnett kit and no problems since then. I tend to be heavy handed at times on the throttle and it works great.

You will need the gasket for the clutch cover to install it. I went ahead and changed the Mobil 1 V Twin 20w50 full synthetic motorcycle oil and Yamaha OEM filter like I had been using previously at the same time. Be advised oil designed for automobiles has friction reducers and will cause your clutch to slip like you are talking about.

There are lots of words of wisdom about the Barnett install in the history of this forum if you search a bit.

I remember having to wiggle and rotate the purple Barnett plate a bit to get it to lock in properly was key to making the finished product work well. I did it on my back patio in a couple hours with another bud looking on and laughing at my marginal mechanical skills.

The hardest part was getting all the old gasket material off so the new one would seal up correctly.


I'm going to have to do this soon.
 
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#1025483
Shores (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
ctkog wrote:
If you can afford it go Barnett. I added the EBC spring and still have some slipping. 08 1700 / stock.

I have an EBC spring on my workbench. You’re scarin me boy! Really, still slips? Why? Can I leave the original in an just add the EBC to it. Seems I’ve heard of folks doing that.
 
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#1025488
Spydr (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
Shores wrote:
I have an EBC spring on my workbench. You’re scarin me boy! Really, still slips? Why? Can I leave the original in an just add the EBC to it. Seems I’ve heard of folks doing that.

Some folk have indeed said that they doubled up on the spring. They added a Warrior spring, I believe.

I also remember someone, (Curt I think) advised Strongly against it.
Research the history. Read other's opinions and observations.
 
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#1025489
ctkog (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
Shores wrote:
ctkog wrote:
If you can afford it go Barnett. I added the EBC spring and still have some slipping. 08 1700 / stock.

I have an EBC spring on my workbench. You’re scarin me boy! Really, still slips? Why? Can I leave the original in an just add the EBC to it. Seems I’ve heard of folks doing that.


my EBC slips some but not as often as my stock spring did. I wonder too if anyone has done the piggy-back thing you mentioned. Ive thought about doing it. I would tack weld the the two together at the seam of the inside diameters to keep them in line with each other. The other thing to consider is the increased stiffness of the clutch doing that. It will probably be about double the force to pull in the clutch I would think which could popeye the forearm!.
 
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---------- NOTHING STRAIGHTENS MY HEAD OUT BETTER THAN AN ENTIRELY CROOKED ROAD-----------
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#1025490
davej (User)
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Re:Clutch slipping, again..... 3 Months ago  
Shores wrote:
ctkog wrote:
If you can afford it go Barnett. I added the EBC spring and still have some slipping. 08 1700 / stock.

I have an EBC spring on my workbench. You’re scarin me boy! Really, still slips? Why? Can I leave the original in an just add the EBC to it. Seems I’ve heard of folks doing that.


I would leave the EBC on the workbench or hang it on the wall for a conversation piece. Call it "the one I didn't install twice" clutch spring. Get a Barrnett and do it 1 time without concern about future issues. don't dbl up the springs it is only asking for trouble, especially with the clutch cable.
 
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