Clutch cover ...
 

Should the rubber gasket be left in place when fitting an aftermarket open clutch cover, or taken off?

Or does it make no difference?

Thanks

Leave it off

i'd say it depends on the depth of the "dish". i know from sad experience that when you leave the gasket off a standard cover, the spring caps will foul the inside of the cover when the clutch lever is pulled in, with the result that you can't get the bike into/out of gear. i also strongly suspect that before i'd worked out what i'd done, by forcing the clutch lever too hard i over-pressurised the system and popped the seals in the slave cylinder (they are now leaking)....remember all my good friday clutch problems?

i was lucky in that i had a closed cover and so i just ended up with scuffed caps. however, if it's a slotted carbon jobby, it will probably shatter, or even worse, if it's a fancy CNC cover with lots of big gaps, then the caps or springs could jam with predictably expensive consequences.

i'm not expert, but i know this 'cos i've actually had it happen to me. if the cover is a standard depth, then the gasket provides clearance.

the clever people might be along to correct me in a mo, but better safe than sorry.

[Edited on 19-5-2006 by zhed44]

[Edited on 19-5-2006 by zhed44]