He obviously didn't have a FSM..... Did he....

 

Actually he did.
I gave him one a couple years ago.

 

I have friends in the bike trade who tell me that clutch wear differs greatly amongst owners. Some can wear them out in what seems very little time, while others seem to hardly use them at all. We're told the plates are on the limit of thinness, so a PO might have been a drag artist - or something.....

 

.005" is more than you think.....

 

Agreed, except it is .0025 each side! Not sure off hand how thick they are when new.

 

98hotrodfatboy, not sure how to take the measurement you speak of. The clutch is apart at the moment.

 

Here is an example of how to measure the amount of movement at the clutch release plate with a dial indicator. This is not the stock clutch (Baker SBD - belt drive) but the method is the same....

 

I found out the hard way on my 1993 Springer that when the FSM says to use the Harley tool to press the diaphragm spring down to install the outer snap ring, spend the money and use it! I used a home-made ring with my shop press and now neutral can rarely be found with it running. It was always easy before. All I did was take it apart, inspect it and put it back together while I was rebuilding the trans. Eventually I'll buy a new diaphragm and plates, and the tool! THE FSM said the plate would not center properly and neutral would be tough to get with it running without the Harley tool. They were right...........

 

2 totally different clutch setups... Your style ended in 97...