Can I Use My Bike When One (or more) of the Clutch Springs is Missing?

[zhed44]

Related to my "snapped thread" post.... (clutch spring bolt snapped in the post)

Is it possible/wise to use the bike with only 5 clutch springs fitted? Or maybe even just 4 if I remove the one on the opposte side to even the pressure up a little?

I remember reading somewhere on this ere interweb of someone who was riding round with just 3 springs.

It would only be a stop gap measure until i can have someone with a steady hand and a sharp drill-bit get the little bugger out. That would probably be a trip up to Tecmoto in a couple of weeks after my exams.

Advice needed for a clumsy numpty please :D

[Edited on 13-5-2006 by zhed44]

[twpd]

I've got no experience of this but, buggering things up further is only gonna cost you more...think on it. ;)

[zhed44]

Originally posted by twpdis only gonna cost you more...think on it. ;)

i dunno - if i use the car instead, then £8 congestion charge and £4 per hour for parking soon adds up :o

[GsxrAge]

as long as the clutch does not slip you should be ok but get it fixed ASAP

[misterpink]

i had a similar problem on my last 748 - a slow speed drop onto its side smashed the useless carbon cover and broke a spring/retainer. With the cover off and carbon bits cleaned out i limped from home to daytona near kings cross about 3 miles mostly in 2nd gear - it is not easy as getting the clutch to engage/disengage was not really happening so it was good timing and luck mainly. if you are AA member or something get them to take it to get it fixed daytona ot wherever is closest - riding it is tricky/possibly dangerous and do you need further problems?

[Glyn]

take off the opposite spring,keeps it balanced
and its fine

[FiscusFish]

I run my Superlight with 4 springs. Makes for a nice easy clutch pull. Haven't had any slipping despite a dozen or so trackdays like it, however the power my bike makes is considerably less than yours.

[Rattler]

There's been many a trackday incident that has meant that a full compliment of clutch springs is unavailable ;) - as long as you remove a single or an opposite pair it should get you home - I wouldn't recommend that it stayed that way for too long though.

Tim

[yeti]

Ducati Corse have been running 4 spring slippers for donkeys years. Need I say more?

[zhed44]

thanks for all the advice.

looks like i'm going to keep riding it for a while, until it's fixed, but the remaining question is - do i remove the opposite spring or not?

BTW: luckily, the springs are brand new.

[moto748]

Originally posted by Glyn
take off the opposite spring,keeps it balanced
and its fine

Y'know, it's so obvious when you see it there.

Not sure it would have occurred to me, TBH.

zhed> I would. The worse that could happen is some slight clutch slip (unlikely, and if it did happen you'd just need to go a bit steadier), but at least with 4 springs you know everything's square to the plates, so the pressure plate can clamp evenly.

[Edited on 14-5-2006 by moto748]

[TP]

My thinking is that if you remove the opposite spring all your doing is spreading the load more evenly. With two springs missing you don't have the same force being applied no matter which you think about it and the clutch may not engage properly. Run it with 4 if you have to, but only do it to get it fixed.

Yeti - yes corse clutches have 4 posts but they don't run the same springs that you find in your standard road clutch!!! They are MUCH heavier!

The DD bikes all pretty much suffer clutch slip fairly quickly, my DD bike last year had the clutch springs off a 748RS in it and it didn't slip then but the clutch action was a great deal heavier.

zhed44 - speculative advice can be expensive, make sure you're happy with everything before you do it because it's your bike and wallet!

[zhed44]

Originally posted by zhed44
Or maybe even just 4 if I remove the one on the opposte side to even the pressure up a little?

yeah, i'd thought of it already. just was wondering whether to trade off a higher risk of clutch slip against an unvenly tensioned pressure plate. i think 4 is the answer as clutch slip is merely inconvenient and is preferable to possible damage caused by a unevenly tensioned pressure plate (would it? dunno....not worth the risk)

thanks for the advice everyone - as someone said, my bike my risk, my choice, but this thread has just confirmed a decision i had more or less taken anyway.

:D

[twpd]

Anyone running a book on Zhed getting another snapped bolt? ;)

[zhed44]

Originally posted by twpd
Anyone running a book on Zhed getting another snapped bolt? ;)

i'll definitely put a fiver on myself as i'm the undefeated world middleweight bolt-snapping champion. i'm not too bad at thread-stripping and washer-losing either, so i'm strongly considering a shot at those titles next year as well :D

[Edited on 15-5-2006 by zhed44]

[twpd]

LOL. At least you have a sense of humour to laugh at it.

[zhed44]

Nope. The little bugger won't come out. I tried a pointy thing, a fine but strong slot-head screwdriver, I tried knocking a slot into the top of the remaining stud, all to no avail. :(

However, I've just taken the bike out for a spin and it works perfectly ok with 4 springs, although the clutch is very light, which, in London is not necessarily a bad thing :D

Bike will be put into the workshop soon to have this sorted and the seat-unit can be painted at the same time.

Thanks for all the advice everyone :)