NSR VTX Clutches

[Big Bad]

Clutches on the 1300 ans 1800 are the same as far as how you do them.

I choose to change only my friction plates, and springs. If the steel plates are blue, or do not sit flat on a table they will need to be replaced.

To do a clutch in a VTX you will need
8 Carbon Fiber friction plates
7 metal plates,
Set of springs


Springs
Some choose to change springs, and use other brand plates.

Barnett PN 501-53-06114

Steel Plates
Steel plates are seldom needed to replace. If they are any color than steel color (not burnt) throw them and get new ones.
The irony is i looked all over for pics, and i could not find any. If you feel your clutch slip, fix it, or replace these too.

Clutch Plates

The main companies offering clutch set ups are

MTC
HONDA (VTX) CLUTCH FIBER KIT · CLU-VTX101 $161.85
Mtc sends shims with, to preload the spring and deliver more pressure. There are many different shim setups that have been discussed, do your research, Bareasschoppers.com has much info.

Barrnett

2002-08 VTX1800 303-35-20023 complete clutch kit 160$

Energy one
http://www.hellrisercustoms.com/bikes/vtx/category/Performance/subcat/Clutch%20kit/maker/KEWL/item/KD-151
Warning opinion
They make 2 kits a 8 disc and a 10 disc. The stack height is the same so here is less friction material or the steel plates are thinner. Either way, the thinner things are the more heat will have an affect as far as warping the steel plates. I like the idea of a 10 disc clutch but change the pin on the slave , and make a new clutch basket for the added height.



I have compared the material from a 1800 and a 1300 it is different, the 1800 has a little more black stuff in it than a 1300, so maybe putting 1800 clutch fiber in a 13 is a little bit of an upgrade.

Some do a mod and drill they're clutch basket to allow oil to get to the rear clutches. Keep in mind oil is a lubricant. The reason we have "wet clutches" is because the oil is used to cool the discs. Heat on clutches is the enemy. Oil makes things slip too, an oil that has a higher lubricity factor can and will create the opportunity for a clutch to slip.
I would not do this (drilling the clutch basket in the bike. Shavings in motor = bad

I also believe that the clutch is meant to be a softener. Taking away form the harshness of shifting, torque and shock loads. A 100% lock up clutch in a daily driver will hurt another component. And so will a clutch that grabs violently. Ihave heard of rivets and the springs designed to absob the shock load breaking on stiffer clutches.







THE BELOW ARE STRICTLY OPPINIONS



I personally run stock frictions, and barnett springs and change them every year. gain your own oppinions.

[Big Bad]

I did my clutches in may, thanks truck2u, and bought frictions and new barnett springs. I measured my old ones, and my new ones, and truck2u's and lances and they were all the same like.110 or so.

It raises the question is it possible the springs fatiuge over time? is it necissary to replace the frictions. I sat the new barnetts next to the old ones. They were a 1/16 shorter last may. I tore it apart today only bought barnett springs and guess what. They were 1/16 inch shorter again tha my new ones.

This year im riding on new spring only.

[Smoken'JOE]

I changed to Barnett springs back in 04 and have not felt a difference in engaging or slippage. BUT then again I don't ride as hard as some of the guys,(and Gals).
On machines (in our shop) that use clutches the only time I have had to replace springs is if they got really hot. Other than normal wear, they shouldn't need to be replaced.

[Big Bad]

I agree its odd, ive seen springs sag over the years but not over 5 months. I shot pics last time ill try to find them.

[Big Bad]

Here are the pictures of last years spring comparison. This years springs had .075 difference in standing height. I notice a difference from new to old over time.

Also videos added.

[xpodell]

My Barnett springs were new last year, along with the MTC plates (This combination was recommended by Kevin Staples). As you know, I've had issues with my clutches slipping.
Do you think adding a couple of the shims that came with the plates and springs would help?
There still seems to be quite a bit of lever travel before the clutch is fully engaged, so I'm assuming that the shims would only take up some of the travel it takes to get to full engagement.
Also, would this allow for better pressure on the plates, reducing slippage?

[Big Bad]

Tomm you are feeling exactly what i am, at this point i beleive that shims would increase spring tension but the problem is (i think) that they are loosing preload over a period of time. Shimms off the bat would decrease the time that they perform well adding more stress. This is all speculation. but i am going to try a set of M109 springs thy will work suprisingly. And i think they will work well. I have to get a set to before i even talk about shimming those.

[xpodell]

When I got my first Barnett clutch on the small X (1800) I was told that they used all the shims.
Then it went to Kurt's. When I picked it up, I couldn't get to neutral without shutting off the motor.
I think that was too much. I'll experiment with the looseness when I put the shims in.
After a thousand miles or so, that was all gone. Never had any problems, until I tried to do a burn-out and overheated the clutch.
That one worked well for 3+ yrs and would probably still be fine had I not been stupid with it.
I think I migh add some of the shims this spring and see what happens. The springs went in last May I think.
May do it to both bikes, if I get ambitious.

[Smoken'JOE]

Maybe you guys should use some of these.

http://www.toolanddie.com/~smgr2/Mercha ... ore_Code=T

[freedom]

bigbad good right up! Like i said on vtxoa my old springs were more then a 1/16 shorter then the new ones! I put them in when bike had 3000 miles on it and it has 17000 miles on it now. I just put springs left the stock clutch plates in. Worked fine till last summer and started slipping in 4 and 5 gear! The stock clutch plates were worn pretty bad when I took them out. I ride the hell out of it so a normal guy probablly wouldnt have the problems I have had!

[Big Bad]

Yeah, if you catch it early enough you won't have to change the clutches. I did this based on measuring the friction plates over 2 years and 2 clutches. I will try another set a diferent brand will have to do some checking on which ones to try.

[IL-Mark]

actually what Honda needs to do is go to a diaphragm clutch