Posts
844
Joined
4/12/2013
Location
CANAL WINCHESTER, OH
US
Edited Date/Time
7/1/2021 8:32am
Anyone had issues replacing their clutch ? A buddy recently went thru a nightmare replacing his. After going through a couple of clutches in 5hrs he contacted Kaw and they sent this. I need a new clutch myself just wondering if anyone else has or had measured.
Curious what others report when they’ve replaced theirs.
In regards to the information above, I had been told by my local shop that the Kaw is very specific on the clutch pack "thickness" or length as stated above.
After talking to Steward Baylor late last year, my plan was to replace the OEM parts with a Rekluse Torque Drive when it was time for replacement. Stew said the inner hub was very soft and no matter what he did, after grooving the inner hub and outer basket, replacement clutches didn't last more 2 hours.
I haven't tried any Rekluse stuff so YMMV when using their hardware.
The Shop
Me and weasel both wondering the answer to the 21 question
'21 is a disc style spring, with bigger plates. The disc style spring and bigger plates create a bigger overall clutch unit so a 'deeper' clutch cover and slightly different bend brake pedal are also new part#s on the '21. Along with a different basket & pressure plate of course. '20 is a more traditional style with 6 coil springs. Each design has its negatives and positives with performance, clutch action and how the different inertias of each clutch perform on the track. '21 is overall heavier than '20 so that extra inertia effects performance is various ways.
Replacing either style is simple so long as you put the right parts in and don't cut corners (like trying to recycle steels and/or fibers) and OEM plates are always best, no debate. Always be sure your steels are positioned the same way (either sharps in or sharps out) and be sure you install inner and outer fiber plates (they differ from the fibers in the center of the clutch stack) and soak in oil of course before you install and follow the book on torque. on '20 its a good move to replace the bottom judder and 1/2 fiber with another 'outer' fiber in their place.
"a couple clutches in 5hrs" is either fibers in wrong spots, sharps all mixed up and/or your inner hub/basket/pp are already so worn that new plates wont help.... or you simply don't ride the bike correctly. You should easily be able to go 15-20hrs on a clutch unless you modulate your speed with the clutch lever and/or ride mud every time.
I am very impressed with the clutch.
It's time to replace the clutch in my 22 and was wondering what you guys ended up doing for replacement. I usually use oem, but I'm thinking about using Hinson plates so I don't have to spend a lot of time measuring the OEM plates.
I started the post. Last year I was having issues getting oem plates and switched to Hinson. Seems to get the same life as oem. They finally have a heavy duty clutch spring in stock now also. It may not be on the website yet but if you call they will be able to sell you one with your new kit.
Pit Row
Have you tried the Hinson spring yet?
I've been replacing my plates with Hinson on the Kawi since the beginning of last year. I noticed about 6 months ago they changed the fiber plates to be all the same. Initially you needed to keep track of the inner and outer plates and make sure you put them in the correct order. Now you just drop them all in the same.
I do new friction, fiber and springs every other time I change the clutch. So just fibers one time, then the whole kit the next.
I've had good luck with the Hinson stuff on the Kawi. I just put in a complete clutch last week (basket, pressure plate etc.) and don't notice a huge difference over stock like I have on other bikes such as Honda's.
Not yet. Have about 20hrs on the 23 so not far from needing.
Does your bike have the new clutch with diaphragm spring? Mine has 26 hours and I've noticed it doesn't pull as hard as it did when it had less time on it. I'm thinking I'll try just replacing the friction plates. I don't mind keeping the plates in order, I just didn't want to have to worry about the different sized steel plates and stack height measurement.
I'm wondering how stiff the clutch pull would be with the Hinson, I like how easy the stock lever pull is.
Since it’s hydraulic the pull won’t change.
Anyone with the newer design ARC lever get a different pushrod or use the oem one. The older style lever came with an ARC rod that was different and the new flatter curve lever didn’t come with one. I’ve been having the clutch start dragging when getting hot and the lever gets tight. Only happens with ARC lever on
The pull on my 19 with the 6 spring clutch is noticeably stiffer with the hinson hd springs.
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