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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Kevlar clutch
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Message started by cheapnewb24 on 12/01/15 at 12:09:42

Title: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/01/15 at 12:09:42

I was wondering...

What has been your experiences with Kevlar clutches on the Savage, Barnett or other brands? Clutch feel, drivability, problems, incompatibilities, and longevity?

Not everyone seems to like Kevlar. Does the stock cork clutch have some advantages?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by verslagen1 on 12/01/15 at 13:14:41

59525F5B4A545F4D58080E3A0 wrote:

Not everyone seems to like Kevlar. Does the stock cork clutch have some advantages?

Why don't they like it?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by Kris01 on 12/01/15 at 17:01:10

Is there a friction advantage or just longevity?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/01/15 at 17:52:13

Has anyone any personal experiences on Kevlar vs cork clutches?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/01/15 at 18:44:19

I thought the clutch on the Savage was great.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 14:59:25

Here is one or two examples where someone had trouble with a Kevlar clutch.

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/236-05-06-gsx-r1000/299471-barnett-kevlar-clutch.html

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 15:05:57

Here's more examples where OEM is preferred to Kevlar.
http://ohioriders.net/index.php?/topic/86941-clutch-plates-kevlar-or-cork/

http://www.fireblades.org/forums/honda-fireblade/9945-anyone-using-barnet-kevlar-clutch-kit.html

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 15:17:59

Has anyone found them a little too grabby? Given that Kevlar has a waaay higher coefficient of friction than rubber-impregnated cork, this may be a valid concern. What about synthetic oil issues. I also read somewhere that they were accused of making the oil really dirty or some sort of "contamination." Is there anything about the feel, behavior, or performance of either of these two materials that makes you wish you still had cork over Kevlar?

I am going to have the case off my engine at some point soon to check the cam chain and replace a faulty neutral switch. That will give me the opportunity to do something to the clutch if I so choose. The clutch works okay so far. The bike is certainly drivable with the stock clutch, so I don't really have to do anything at this time.

I have been wondering about shimming, putting in extra plates, or going to Kevlar. If the latter, then should I bother with buying new springs, or do the Kevlar plates perform nicely with the old stock springs, or would the springs be fatigued and worn out?

Does anyone here prefer the previous two options? If so, why?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 15:28:14

Here's the poll. I hope you like it.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 15:33:28

I talked with the owner of a local bike shop. He didn't like the idea of shimming or adding plates, said that it just prolonged the problem. (just about his exact words) Preferred the idea of simply replacing the clutch, though I think he liked Kevlar clutches.

The funny thing is that he compared 16k on my big single to (I think) 100k on a car, so he was implying that my clutch should be worn out or something :-?.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 15:38:42

According to Mr. Clutch, Rubber-impregnated cork has a coefficient of friction of 0.03 compared to Kevlar's coefficent of 0.13
http://www.mrclutch.com.au/clutch_plate_materials.html

That's a big difference.

I noticed that this website has a poor opinion of cork clutches. Why do the OEM's use them then? Is it the smoothness, or something else?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/03/15 at 15:43:16

Dude, if the clutch is worn out that early, someone doesn't know how to pull away from a stop. I had twenty thousand on mine, dogged it plenty, and had never been forced to go to a shorter rod. Or, maybe the wrong oil, slippage, I don't know, but the clutch shouldn't be shot so quickly.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 16:14:51

242F222637292230257573470 wrote:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1448088343/15

I got my oil changed with fresh Rotella dino, and it helped the clutch a little, I think.

That's some good stuff, or... at least better than dirty oil ;)

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 16:18:13

I don't think my clutch is worn out. Might have lost its edge from when it was new (but then I never rode it when it was new), but it still works acceptably. Maybe that shop guy is exaggerating?

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by Kris01 on 12/03/15 at 16:21:28

All these questions and you've only been riding a month or two? Slow down! Learn to ride and how the bike performs. Get proficient at it first. Most guys that ride 50 years or more we'll tell you they're still learning! Once you get good at it then start modifying. Just trying to help. Don't take this the wrong way. A healthy discussion is great but first things first. ;)

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by cheapnewb24 on 12/03/15 at 16:36:13

I'll get to riding as soon as I can get the turn signal fixed and get a little better with this cold. I'm going to have the case open at some point anyway. You don't think I should take the opportunity to tinker with the clutch?

You're suggesting that I won't know what I need until I get more experience? Correct?

You actually sound a lot like myself talking to my Dad. He doesn't even have his learner's permit, and yet he's went to the trouble of buying used saddlebags, a windshield, and crash bars ::) :P. I tell him that he should ride the thing naked until he has the experience to know that he needs all that stuff. I gather windshields can be problematic if they are not done just right. Of course, I have (or had) a personal interest here, so it is a bit different. I like relatively naked bikes.

Adding all that unnecessary junk, and he'd be lucky if he's ever taken it much past the mailbox, much less the highway ::). What a shame, what a waste ::)

That's kinda how life goes around here. :P

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by Kris01 on 12/04/15 at 17:42:23

000B0602130D0614015157630 wrote:

You're suggesting that I won't know what I need until I get more experience? Correct?

Correct.

Learn to enjoy what you already have. Once that becomes old then modify to your heart's content. For example, the stock clutch holds up just fine. A Kevlar clutch wouldn't necessarily be better if the stock parts are performing 100%.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by gizzo on 12/04/15 at 21:24:50

Suzuki uses the same clutch plates in bigger badder bikes than the Cabbage. Also in smaller strokers, too. It is just fine. Kevlar all you want but it will make no difference.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by chzeckmate on 12/05/15 at 03:13:28

I think there should be one additional choice in the poll. "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

Clutch mods? I think the general consensus here would probably be to leave it alone if it's in good working order and if it's not then the most economical solution would be the most popular thing.

Title: Re: Kevlar clutch
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/15 at 09:24:31

6B545255484F67210 wrote:

Just because someone might need to see that twice.