"is there an affordable good quality brand someone can recommend?"

Genuine Suzuki clutch plates work great.  The Barnett plates seem to work good too.  That being said, why would you want to install new plates when you haven't even tried the plates you currently have installed?

"What size is the clutch locknut when I get to that step?"

A 32mm socket fits perfectly.

"Is the nut 'loctited' on?"

No, the nut is secured with a lock-tab washer.  That is why I suggest that you break all the sharp edges and corners on the nut with a mill-smooth file.  The lock washer is annealed, and the sharp edges tend to dig into the washer and throw off your torque measurement.

"Does anybody want to give me an excuse to buy myself an air impact driver for Christmas?"

The new lithium battery powered impact wrenches work great.  Way more convenient than the old pneumatic guns.  But, you should not be using an impact wrench (rattle wrench) on this clutch hub nut.  There is almost no thread engagement.  The nut is only 8mm thick, and the male threads on the shaft have splines running through them.  It's very easy to damage the threads.  Keep the rattle wrench away from this nut.  The max torque is only 50 ft-lbs.  Very easy to get loose, very easy to tighten.

This is the lock tab washer.

1-1/4 inch SAE works also but is slightly loose.

Hey thumper I was able to pick up the cyclepedia manual on Amazon for free with my student prime membership.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQ2HMWS/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title?ref=d6k_ap...

It's digital only and the digital navigation isn't the best but the manual itself is I think an excellent companion to the clymer and walks through the clutch step by step along with other stuff. Wish I picked this up a while ago actually...

Mike, I was able to find a 32mm socket in 12 point.  Hope that’s ok.  Would have preferred 6 point.

For the washers, I found some 3/8” and 5/16”.  I guess I’ll figure out which fits or use both.  How tight do I need to get those bolts with the washers holding down the springs temporarily and pack together?

My vote is Pat’s between those two.  I lived in Philly for about 15 months so my vote kinda counts!  I will eat either one though!  Plus a whole lot of other places in the burbs!

Pats is a better sandwich, genos has better acutrmons, or used to before they stopped leaving the fixins out. The owner is obsessed with "criminals" stealing the free peppers. Whatever.

These are just tourist traps though.

The two best spots are Steve's prince of steaks in the north east or SQ Phil's in South west. Steve's for an honest, genuine philly steak with all the original toppings out for you to use, the real way -- or Phil's for a real.... Neighborhood experience. Milage may vary. The sauce is HOT by the way, like it was intended to be.

A lot of false natives will say delassandro's. Don't bother, you can get the same exact steak at any corner store. If you're at delassandro's, immediately leave and go across the street to chubb's. It's not that chubb's is good, but at least you aren't embarrassing yourself at delassandro's. Anyway they both suck, don't believe the hype.

Honorable mention to little known spot little Sicily II in South Philly off Columbus and tasker -- it's actually an Indian place but you wouldn't know based on the name. They sell a Indian spiced steak that is a real if you know thing.

Also there was a Muslim jawn on broad near the divine Loraine that sold a lamb steak with taziki sauce, and that was dope. Can't remember the name, think it closed.

Anyway, not to derail the thread but, you asked and you heard it here first this is the first last and second about philly steaks.

The washers are just put on so that tension is on the springs so you can bull the pack out of the basket as one full unit, instead of pulling just the pressure plate out and then each disk individually. The washers shouldn't be there on reassembly, they are just a "trick" to have a tidy approach to the replacement.

If you didn't put the washers/springs on, when you go to pull the pack out of the basket it would all want to come out piece by piece, that's all.

Once you get in there and are familiar with it you'll realize how much you're overthinking things. Promise.

I used to ride through blue bell on route 73 all the time up to a farm I used to hang at. Usually avoid the interstate on my bike savage just can't keep up with soccer moms on 476 driving 85+ in 5 tom Subarus...

"How do I bend back the lock tab washer?  Screwdriver?"

A screwdriver will work, but I prefer a small chisel because the tip is sharp and easier to get between the tab and the nut.  I use a very small 4-ounce ballpeen, small 3/8" chisel, and small pin punch (flat tip).