Clutch basket

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 18, 2023 | 06:01 PM

86glider

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 1,528

Likes: 933

From: Long Island

Clutch basket

Hey guys, I’m replacing my clutch plates and noticed there’s a bit of wobble when I grab the shell w/o the plates in place,I would say 1/8” play. Is this normal?

Mar 18, 2023 | 08:08 PM

WP50

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 6,183

Likes: 2,131

From: W. Texas

While that's not a lot I'd say No.
If the basket has rivets ck them. Seen it more than once
You need to establish where that looseness is at
WP

Mar 18, 2023 | 08:10 PM

TwiZted Biker

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 66,094

Likes: 51,354

From: Niles Canyon Ca.

Read this thread,

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo/1...ff-thread.html

Mar 18, 2023 | 09:07 PM

Farm Shop

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 268

Likes: 69

From: Edgerton Wisconsin

I’m assuming you are talking about the 86 that’s in your profile name? If your hub is tight but the basket has just a little bit of wobble with the plates out that’s normal in my experience. The single wide bearing in there will do that. The later clutches with the double row bearings in them are more solid.

Mar 19, 2023 | 08:03 AM

98hotrodfatboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 21,004

Likes: 7,539

From: Poolville

An 1/8" is a lot.. Think your gonna have to take it all apart... That looseness will eventually take out the whole shaft as in the thread TwiZted mentions...

Mar 19, 2023 | 12:05 PM

t150vej

HDF Community Team

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 5,374

Likes: 2,570

From: NC USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86glider

Hey guys, I’m replacing my clutch plates and noticed there’s a bit of wobble when I grab the shell w/o the plates in place,I would say 1/8” play. Is this normal?

With that era clutch a 1/8" wobble, if measured at the inner to the starter ring, isn't that bad but is well worn for sure. With a brand new bearing, you'll be able feel a tick of play but not enough to easily measure.

With the outer already off, I'd pull the assembly, change the bearing and be done with it. Only takes a few minutes to press off/on after you get it off the bike and the clutch will work a lot better too.

Mar 20, 2023 | 05:21 AM

guido4198

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 3,596

Likes: 9,899

From: Florida's gorgeous East coast

I'd not put it back together until you KNOW where that 1/8" of slop is coming from. If it's part of the problem, clutch hub bearings are cheap, and easy to replace while you have it open already. Depending upon how many miles you have on the current one, replacing it might be a good idea regardless, but that's just me. I've been riding the same '85 since I bought it new and sometimes replace the easy, inexpensive things with significant miles "while I'm in there"...just because.