I think I need a new clutch, any advice?

[corkman]

I think I need a new clutch. Either it is slipping or the back tire is losing traction.
Any advice?
The bike I just purchased has the UFO exhaust and stage 7 carb kit.
I suspect the previous owner(s) might have enjoyed the increased power so much the stock clutch could not handle it.
Does this sound familiar?
If I replace the clutch plates and springs, what would you recommend that would hold up the the increased power of these mods?

 

[Fire-medic]

Contact PCW Racing for their extra friction disc kit, and get their heavy-duty diaphragm clutch spring. You eliminate the stock 1/2 innermost friction disc and replace it w/a full-width one. PCW sells OEM Yamaha friction discs in their kit. It includes an OEM clutch cover gasket. Call them: http://www.pcwracing.net/

No need for the 'steelies' to be replaced unless they're blued from heat, or warped, or thinner than minimum thickness. Just scuff them up w/a scotchbrite pad or coarse sandpaper to cut through the glaze, to provide 'tooth' for the new friction discs.

If you're gonna drag race it constantly, add another diaphragm spring (the 'double disc' mod) but the workout for your left hand is gonna make you holla in traffic. The PCW replacement spring is a good compromise.

 

[blaxmax]

I think I need a new clutch. Either it is slipping or the back tire is losing traction.
Any advice?
The bike I just purchased has the UFO exhaust and stage 7 carb kit.
I suspect the previous owner(s) might have enjoyed the increased power so much the stock clutch could not handle it.
Does this sound familiar?
If I replace the clutch plates and springs, what would you recommend that would hold up the the increased power of these mods?

Look behind you for black marks if you don't see any than PCW.

 

[Traumahawk]

I have the DD mod, with adjustable levers, and its not that bad. You definitely wont have a slipping clutch afterwards.

 

[wildweasel_pt]

As an extra min thickness for friction plates is 2.8mm.

 

[DMAN999]

I installed a Barnett Spring conversion in mine it's about 20-25% stronger than stock using the Gold springs.
And you can use stronger springs if you think you need them (Green or Red)
http://www.barnettclutches.com/fits-all-v-max.html
Vmax Springs Part Numbers from Barnett:
501-75-06005 (MT-5-6) = gold 75 lb at 1-inch (Default spring)
501-82-06023 (MT-23-6) = green 82 lb at 1-inch
501-99-06091 (MT-91-6014) = red 99 lb at 1-inch
I used the Gold springs and I'm very happy with it, it grabs better and is smother than the stock clutch.

And use OEM frictions from Yamaha and as long as your steels are within specs and not warped you can just scrub them with a scotch-brite pad (or have hem bead/soda blasted) and reuse them.
http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/yam/50044b35f8700209bc790afd/clutch

The PCW HD clutch spring is also a good option and is supposed to be about 40-50% stronger than the stock spring.
http://www.pcwracing.net/page10.htm

The DD mod is up to twice as strong as the stock spring (because you use 2 stock springs):
http://vmax.lvlhead.com/tips/clutch.htm
I personally would Not do the DD mod because I have seen way too many guys break drives shafts regularly after doing it and a few have even trashed their transmission.
Replacing a worn clutch is a LOT cheaper/easier than replacing the gears in the transmission.
Here's a good example of why you should NOT do the DD mod if you ride your vmax like a Hooligan:
http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=18492

 

[sdt354]

I did the DD so long ago I'm very used to it. And I'm a lefty, so that hand is stronger. I know when I'm going to have a little fun and
push the old girl to the max, the clutch won't slip. This can be a bad thing too of course. A little slippage is built in. Instead of slipping the clutch, things can break. O.E.M clutch plates last a long time. The steels scuff and can cause the slipping. I've cleaned my steels and still had the fibers in spec, and the clutch felt brand new.

 

[tothemax93]

Contact PCW Racing for their extra friction disc kit, and get their heavy-duty diaphragm clutch spring. You eliminate the stock 1/2 innermost friction disc and replace it w/a full-width one. PCW sells OEM Yamaha friction discs in their kit. It includes an OEM clutch cover gasket. Call them: http://www.pcwracing.net/

No need for the 'steelies' to be replaced unless they're blued from heat, or warped, or thinner than minimum thickness. Just scuff them up w/a scotchbrite pad or coarse sandpaper to cut through the glaze, to provide 'tooth' for the new friction discs.

If you're gonna drag race it constantly, add another diaphragm spring (the 'double disc' mod) but the workout for your left hand is gonna make you holla in traffic. The PCW replacement spring is a good compromise.

This is what I did. It's been 3 yrs with zero trouble.

 

[corkman]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what's PCW?

 

[Traumahawk]

PCW is a company (in New York I believe) and they have done a LOT of work with Vmaxs.

 

[Traumahawk]

I did the DD so long ago I'm very used to it. And I'm a lefty, so that hand is stronger. I know when I'm going to have a little fun and
push the old girl to the max, the clutch won't slip. This can be a bad thing too of course. A little slippage is built in. Instead of slipping the clutch, things can break. O.E.M clutch plates last a long time. The steels scuff and can cause the slipping. I've cleaned my steels and still had the fibers in spec, and the clutch felt brand new.

The only thing that doesnt mix with the DD mod is a sticky tire. If you want to do a burn out with a dunlop....etc, a tire that will smoke thats fine. A shinko is a very good, sticky tire. they just tend to grab, instead of do a burn out with lots of smoke.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what's PCW?

Oops

 

[tothemax93]

http://pcwracing.net/

 

[[email protected]]

http://pcwracing.net/

LOL, that's what I tried to do.
When I opened their page, a popup to update Java came on my screen.

 

[Fire-medic]

It comes up OK for me. See the attachment for their contact info. Telephone them, their website is lagging. They are very helpful and patient, ask any questions.

For your java issue, just try loading their newest driver from their website. Be sure you aren't going to some phishing site, if it says "ru," in the web address, close it immediately, DO NOT click on it! Try here, but if some federal government agency shows up, I don't know you! https://java.com/en/download/

LOL, that's what I tried to do.
When I opened their page, a popup to update Java came on my screen.

 

[[email protected]]

It comes up OK for me.

It appears I've got java problems

 

[DMAN999]

PCW Racing info from their FaceBook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/PCW-Racing/168578396491727?fref=ts



Address

• 112 Henry St
• Schenectady, New York 12304

Phone (518) 346-7203
Website http://www.pcwracing.net

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