All the recalls and redesigns in the world can’t produce a clutch that will hook up and hold indefinitely without having a stiffer spring, or springs, which makes for a harder lever to pull in. The spring has to be moved far enough to release the clutch pack, and there are limits with the clutch lever pivot point, the hand lever’s travel limitations, and at the lever on the case cover to produce an acceptable mechanical advantage.

It’s the nature of the beast. You’ll need either a stronger left hand, or weaker right hand on the throttle.


It’s all about the fulcrum.

Hey RoadstarTerry, where can I get wider levers?

BikerRon wrote:
All the recalls and redesigns in the world can’t produce a clutch that will hook up and hold indefinitely without having a stiffer spring, or springs, which makes for a harder lever to pull in. The spring has to be moved far enough to release the clutch pack, and there are limits with the clutch lever pivot point, the hand lever’s travel limitations, and at the lever on the case cover to produce an acceptable mechanical advantage.

It’s the nature of the beast. You’ll need either a stronger left hand, or weaker right hand on the throttle.


It’s all about the fulcrum.



I don't agree that no recall in the world could make the roadstar engine hook up correctly. Granted no clutch will hook up indefinitely, because they all wear out! But the lever fulcrum length and clutch spring could have been matched to where it is optimal and correct for the roadstar. Less cable travel; greater leverage. They just failed to do it.

Bottom line is a manufacturer needs to be able to hold torque through the clutch to the rear wheel. that's the most basic of motorcycle engineering requirements. We love our roadstars but let's not make excuses for Yamaha. Obviously the Roadstar is not the only big torque monster on the road where others handle the same requirement just fine.

The downside to a shorter fulcrum is a bit more attention to endplay and a shorter range of travel to work within.. but neither of them would have been show-stoppers for one single well-planned recall.

(Humor)
Motorcycle Clutch
n: a device designed to connect the transmission of a motorcycle to the engine, which when properly adjusted will slip at high speed, drag at low speeds and make neutral impossible to find at stops.

Still, trying to find a happy medium in clutch plate pressure vs easy clutch pull, there are limitations to our, as with many, setup to accomplish both. Many have gone to hydraulic setups, and the other is an assisted clamping force built into the clutch itself using the engine’s torque to its advantage.

Had Yamaha incorporated the assist-slipper clutch into the Road Star, as they have with other models, (the 1,900cc bikes), we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation/thread.

Link.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.motorcycle.com/features/is-slippper-clutch-same-thing-as-slip-assist.html/amp

I look at my R* as a cruiser and treat it as such, so I expect many miles of trouble free riding in the drivetrain department. That was Yamaha’s intent when they designed the clutch for ease of use. Many on here go 50,00 miles plus without a hitch in their clutch.

Treat her rougher than normal and expect the shortened life from which it will expose.

BikerRon wrote:
(Humor)
Motorcycle Clutch
n: a device designed to connect the transmission of a motorcycle to the engine, which when properly adjusted will slip at high speed, drag at low speeds and make neutral impossible to find at stops.

Still, trying to find a happy medium in clutch plate pressure vs easy clutch pull, there are limitations to our, as with many, setup to accomplish both. Many have gone to hydraulic setups, and the other is an assisted clamping force built into the clutch itself using the engine’s torque to its advantage.

Had Yamaha incorporated the assist-slipper clutch into the Road Star, as they have with other models, (the 1,900cc bikes), we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation/thread.

Link.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.motorcycle.com/features/is-slippper-clutch-same-thing-as-slip-assist.html/amp

I look at my R* as a cruiser and treat it as such, so I expect many miles of trouble free riding in the drivetrain department. That was Yamaha’s intent when they designed the clutch for ease of use. Many on here go 50,00 miles plus without a hitch in their clutch.

Treat her rougher than normal and expect the shortened life from which it will expose.

That's a really cool design. Reminds me of the wedge grips we use in tensile testing.. holds tighter as the load increases.

Wish we had that clutch in our roadies!