When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
No right answer here. I pulled my spring plate (aka grenade ring) out last year with 21K miles on it, it was intact but loose. I installed the 2 steel/1 friction in it's place, and the clutch made a squealing noise on takeoffs. Drove me crazy!!
Did more research and found this happens sometimes, even when people replace the entire clutch. After a couple weeks I decided to install a new Alto spring plate, which appears to be better made than OEM. I'm at 30K now, all good. I'll probably replace the current spring plate when it hits 25K.
The squeal is caused by vibration. (That is how sound is generated!) I just came over to a Sportster from a Dyna. On big twin clutches there is a spring seat and a judder spring. My theory is the judder spring (just a thin belleville washer) compresses slightly as the clutch locks up and absorbs vibration, just like a spring plate does, but on a much smaller scale of movement. Look at #14 & #15 in the picture below to see what it looks like.
The squeal is caused by vibration. (That is how sound is generated!) I just came over to a Sportster from a Dyna. On big twin clutches there is a spring seat and a judder spring. My theory is the judder spring (just a thin belleville washer) compresses slightly as the clutch locks up and absorbs vibration, just like a spring plate does, but on a much smaller scale of movement. Look at #14 & #15 in the picture below to see what it looks like.
Interesting. Some people ride with the squeal and are fine with it, but I couldn't deal with it.
I have almost 4,000 miles on the bike already. I ride 1-2K miles per week. I guess I need to fix this before it becomes an issue!
I have ordered 2 stock steels and 1 stock friction. I think those 3 cost a little under $50 or so total. I plan to keep the bike stock for now WRT the engine. Is this an okay approach to replace the spring plate or do I need one of those kevlar or carbon-fiber clutch kits?
Thanks!
I used a Barnett spring plate eliminator replacement set on my 1200, with the extra steel plates and all fiber plates; can't remember if I used kevlar or carbon fiber. Had 30K on the original, thought I'd just have all matching plates that way and never have to worry about it again. No noises after, and feels smoother to me. Didn't have any broken rivets yet, but they were all a little distorted and loose, just a matter of time till boom. If you don't have a clutch spring compressor, you'll need one, whether you make it yourself or buy one. I got the Barnett compressor, works fine, easy to use. I'll use it again on my 883, use plates from the 1200 originals to replace that spring plate in it. Haven't used the 883 for 2 years, but putting it back on the road this year, and will do the clutch when I do the oil change.
Well It stopped raining in Bellevue for a couple of hours so I got out for a ride and to confirm that I had in fact solved an intake leak, got the S&S Super E jetted correctly and had a working charging system. Check, check and check.
I hope to have the 19" rear wheel on early next week. That will lift the back end up another 3/4".
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
