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So after getting my 2008 Nightster, I was looking to get my clutch plates replaced first thing after reading multiple reports of the riveted plate in the center of the clutch pack blowing out. However, after calling an independent shop, I was informed that the riveted plate was only on older Sportsters, and that mine comes stock with regular plates. Has anyone here taken a 2007+ Sportster clutch pack apart, or can verify this information for me?
I literally just bought a 2009 nightster and immediately replaced the clutch plates to get rid of the riveted springs plate. It is definitely still in every sportster from the factory.
As mentioned above, I'd never go back to that Indy again...for anything...ever.
If you have any mechanical abilities whatsoever (i.e. changing a flat tire), you can do the upgrade yourself. This guy in the video did it in a parking lot without even a motorcycle jack (not recommended since you can buy a jack for $80 at Harbor Freight).
I figured something he said didn't sound right based on readings. I couldn't find the stock/OEM parts or a diagram anywhere, so shanneba thank you for that.
I called up several dealerships trying to find a service records for this bike, none of them mentioned anything about a clutch pack. So I guess this is in the to-do list now.
Most of them never have a problem, the problem is the few that do and there's no way to tell if you have a bad one before it lets go and that can get expensive. I suspect less than ideal quality control at the factory lets a few get by occasionally that shouldn't. Putting this mess together with brass rivets wasn't the greatest idea, either, pretty soft material for the pressures involved. I pulled my '04 out at 30,000, and the rivets were real loose, probably close to the end. While not a really hard job, if you have fairly high miles, like my 30K, might think about replacing all the fiber plates so you most likely will never have to worry about them again. I think the clutch feels better without the spring plate, too, but that could be more due to the new plates. Whether you do it yourself or have a shop do it, I'd recommend replacing the cover gasket and especially the o-ring where the cable goes through the primary cover, lot of work to replace just an o-ring if you put the old one in and it leaks. Mine was already leaking when I put the clutch plates in.
I figured something he said didn't sound right based on readings. I couldn't find the stock/OEM parts or a diagram anywhere, so shanneba thank you for that.
I called up several dealerships trying to find a service records for this bike, none of them mentioned anything about a clutch pack. So I guess this is in the to-do list now.
Google: "Ronnie's HD microfiche" to find parts diagrams. I really have not read about spring plate issues on new bikes for quite a long time. Perhaps HD has changed vendors or design somewhat. The rigid mounts don't seem to have an issue, just the early rubber mounts (2004-6). My 1991 is still going strong after 28 years. No sense spending money you might not need to. There are literally thousands of Sportsters ridden daily with the stock spring plate.
Save your money for some cool handlebar tassels or Willie G skull decorations!
John
Last edited by John Harper; Oct 10, 2018 at 02:56 PM.
Out of curiosity, anyone know why Harley went with brass rivets in the first place and why they haven't bothered replacing it on newer bikes?
Not enough of a common issue, I suppose?
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Clutch Plates
