Clutches and stealerships.... Opinions please

[sidewayzz]

Hi Guys,

So I have noticed that my clutch is likely in need of replacement however am not totally convinced. That being said I was in my local bike shop yesterday getting some stuff for my D-Bike and Quad when I decided to price the parts out. 380.00 + TAX ! ! ! ( Gasket, springs, friction and metal plates ) I laughed and told him I could order a Barnett or EBC from the US on the internet and have it delivered for half that. Here is my question. Am I nuts or is he right. He claimed that although I could get all the parts listed above from Barnett or EBC through him or the internet for alot cheaper they are not as good and do not feel / react as well as OEM. I know my thoughts on this however have only ever had OEM clutches. Looking for your guys' opinions though. Is this true? And what do you use when you have to replace your clutches? OEM or aftermarket performance such as Barnett

[natedogg624]

i just did my clutch a few months ago now.

you don't need to replace the metal plates unless they are really horrible.

everything needed:
gasket
friction plates
clutch springs

total 160 with tax.

all OEM from my local shop, i would have ordered it via mrcycles.com but i needed the bike to work so i needed parts ASAP. did the labor all on my own. very easy even for a first timer. check the how to i posted a thread in there about this.

[MELK-MAN]

i use OEM, i have used EBC fiber replacements and they worked fine as well. As posted above, you may not need to replace the metal plates, you really dont need to replace the springs unless the bike is real old.

[natedogg624]

true on the springs, i didn't replace mine.

its not a need but more of a "should"

[sidewayzz]

Thanx guys for your time to reply. I think I will go with the OEM as there seems to be little to no difference and give it a try. Suppose there is always something to be said about original parts huh...... Understand the friction plates and springs. That being said I AM VERY VERY LAZY ! ! LOL. If I am taking this apart I think I will just replace all and not have to worry about doing it again for a while. I am not very hard on the clutch mostly just hard on it in 4th up ( weather and road permiting )..... oh and the odd clutch up wheelie in 2nd about 3 or 4 times a week max when someone driving slow in the fast lane cranks me... ( and the wife is not watching ) Thanx again. Any pointers or things that may "surprise" me from yer experience would also be appreciated.

[natedogg624]

everything regarding changing your clutch is in my how to.

i put in my notes, advice, and little surprises you may find along the way.

and you really don't need to change the metal plates. its the friction plates that dictate how often you change your plates. like i said you really don't EVER have to change the metal plates, unless they are really old, blue or warped. you could change the metal and friction plates today and you would still have to do the clutch again in a few years anyway. new metal plates wont extend that period any more or any less.

[MELK-MAN]

SOAK the frictions, dont put the clutch together dry.

[sidewayzz]

That makes good sense.

Thanx guys

[natedogg624]

put the clutch in a bowl of oil. go get a beer, drink it, work on the clutch assembly, by the time you need to put the plates in they should be good.

usually its around 45min-1hr.

[sidewayzz]

LOL. GOOD PLAN ! ! But I am a sailor that is at least a 3 beer time limit.....