Ok Fellas so I am at my wits end! I have researched this forum and a couple of others looking for a resolution to my issue. I have a 2013 Street Glide Stage II with the Barnett's Kevlar Extra clutch plate kit and the Barnett Coil Spring Conversion kit and the problem I am having is that no matter how I adjust the adjuster screw and cable slack, when I am pulling away from a stop my clutch lever has to be almost completely out in order for the bike to start moving ( I like my bike to start moving with the lever closer to the bar). If I am on a little bit of a hill and I have to give it a little more throttle to get started, that late engagement will grab so violently that it will actually bark the tire and I have to pull the clutch back in to avoid having the bike jump out from under me. With the bike cool and the cable slacked completely I have tried all ranges of adjustment from 3/4 turn out, all the way to just backed off from lightly seated, the latter helped with the issue but I experienced massive amounts of slipping under acceleration. I have tried the lever at the 1/16" to 1/8" adjustment as well as with more slack but no change in the way it disengages. Neutral is easy to find, the bike shifts smoothly and quietly but taking off from a dead stop is down right risky with the way it grabs so suddenly.

I have tried other methods of adjustment (giving lever a little slack and working the lever while turning in adjuster screw, all slack and turning adjuster until lever starts to move then backing off and returning lever to bars) replaced clutch cable, checked ball and ramp (position is correct), pulled out pushrod and oil slinger and reinstalled and no change. Has anyone experienced similar with the extra clutch plate kit? Is it just that "grabby"?

I am going to go back to the OEM Friction/Steels configuration with the coil spring conversion and see what happens but I am just bummed about having spent the money on the extra plate kit. If anyone reads this and has any ideas or suggestions on what I can check next, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance and stay safe out there.

 

You have the right idea of increasing cable play to get the fiction zone closer to the handlebar. As far as grabbing, maybe try different primary oils.. On thing you can check is grooves in the clutch basket. If the gasket gas any groove where the friction plates run. they can cause grabbing.

I've too have found the +1 Kevlar Barnett to be a little grabby.

 

Interesting. I just purchased the same kit and a SE spring but haven't had the chance to install it yet, I'll keep you posted. I am planning on sticking with Formula +, what are you using?

 

Hey thanks for chiming in. I have put so much slack in the cable that I feel it is not disengaging completely because I feel my shifts get clunkier (is that even a word?) like I am trying to shift with the clutch half pulled, it helps a little with the friction zone issue but once it gets up to operating temps it starts with the grabby on again, off again engagement. When I installed this kit I didn't keep the OEM parts (I know, stupid me) so I found a clutch basket assembly on ebay and I am going to use the steels and damper spring assembly from that along with a new set of frictions.

I am running Type F ATF in my primary right now so I may try changing it out while I wait for parts to come in. I really like the performance of the extra plate kit once I get moving, the power transfer is awesome but the take off's can get down right scary. If a fluid change solves it, awesome. If not, hopefully going back to an OEM disc and steel count with the damper spring will solve it.

 

I am running Type F Automatic Transmission Fluid in mine. The instructions said you can run pretty much any lubricant as long as it doesn't have detergents, I figured Tranny fluid works on the steels and frictions in a transmission, why not on these frictions. I do seem to recall the directions saying Type F gives a grabby engagement while Dextron is a smoother engagement. I also seem to recall something about poor results from Formula + if I remember correctly so you just may want to verify that. I may try maybe Rotella 15/40 or Dextron and see if that helps with my issue. Couldn't hurt I guess.

 

The paperwork noted that they got numerous reports of sticking in colder environments, I'm outside of Tampa so I doubt that will be an issue. Will give it a shot and dumping the Formula + won't be an issue if I have to.

 

Type F tranny fluid is the secret to better (harder) shifting racing automatic transmissions, so yes, it will make a wet clutch grabby!

 

Maybe remove 1 of the plates. If I remember correctly I’ve seen this before?.?

 

You can't you'll change the stack height.. You can go back to the narrow friction disc and put the damper spring and spacer back in..

 

Thanks for the info, that makes sense. I'm gonna get rid of the extra plate kit anyway but I think I'll avoid Type F on the next set up.