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Clutch slip?
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:41 pm
by rick
Accelerating hard up to 8-10k rpm and I get what feels like clutch slip... the revs increase with no increase in power.
The oil was recently changed and I used 15/50 semi-synthetic Putoline so I don't think this is going to be a problem.
Any ideas on things I should look at?
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:54 pm
by D-Rider
Rick - I think you might find this thread useful:
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.ph ... lutch+slip
Particularly note what Tweaker says about roughening the clutch plates and the link I made in that thread to a thread that Thumper started may also be helpful.
Hope this helps.
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:35 am
by rick
Thanks for link D-rider... I've spoken to AJ and he's convinced it's oil which makes sense... Looking back I should have asked him why oil she was used to before buying some...
...looks like I'll be doing another oil change soon and see how I get on... Wifey and daughter are away tonight until Wednesday so plenty of time to change oil and have a test run without being told that I'm spending too much time in the garage

Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 12:29 pm
by fastasfcuk
i use putoline 15 50 and no problems it has got anti slip properties in it.
is it comp 4 you've used.what year is your bike.
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 12:54 pm
by rick
It's a 2001 model in the best colour... Fire red. I've used 15/50 putoline and pretty sure it's semi synth. Spoke to AJ already (did I mention he's a top bloke?) and he's told me exactly what's been used in the past so I'll be ordering some and doing it later this week :)
Maybe she's a little tempremetal and only wants what she's always had!
I'll report back when jobs done... :)
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:31 pm
by fastasfcuk
sorry it's not comp 4, it's putoline syntec 4 15/50 fully synth.
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:14 pm
by Falcopops
rick wrote:Maybe she's a little tempremetal and only wants what she's always had!
That's pretty much the way it is with the older clutches.
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:38 pm
by HowardQ
At the 10k service my dealer used Putoline syntec fully synth oil and the clutch slipped badly on the way home, and then got worse.
Cleaned out the oil and used some Castrol semi synth that I had in the garage for my old Honda, it's now done almost 30K and has never slipped again.
Still on Castrol semi synth.
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 12:02 am
by rick
Ok update... managed to source the exact same oil that has previously been used and whilst clutch slip is a lot less, its still there under hard acceleration
So I've spent the past four hours taking all the clutch plates out etc. and roughening up all the steel plates

I've never been so organised when working on the bike/car
I had everything laid out, buckets ready for paraffin, soapy bubbles, clean water for rinsing and then a bucket of oil for prepping plates to re-fit! I took countless photos to help me put all the plates, particularly the friction ones, back in exactly the same position. My only issue is torquing the six bolts that hold the springs etc. ontp the clutch basket and the locknut that goes on the end of the shaft. I have a torque wrench but it only starts at 28nm so wasn't much help (manual says 11 for six nuts and 30 for the shaft nut).
Everything looked in great condition, the rubber diaphragm etc. and no oil came out (ok maybe the smallest of drops, but nothing to write home about!). One thing I did spot, and I think this is related to the clutch slip, is that some of the steel plates had a shiney, polished inner edge compared to other areas... check photos before and after roughening up.
I didn't want to start the bike, being so late, so that'll have to wait until the morning. I have taken the bike through all the gears and everthing appears to work ok... although I did notice that when in gear (engine off of course!) and clutch depressed (so pulled in) it was difficult to wheel bike whilst sat on it... whereas in the past I didn't remember this being quite so difficult! Hopefully a). I didn't rough up the plates too much and b). I didn't overtighten those six bolts and springs!
I'll update y'all tomorrow after a test ride :)

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 8:16 am
by rick
Just returned from a short run (such a nice day, shame I can't stay out but lots of packing to do for house move on thursday

) and guess what...
...not a smidge of clutch slip at all!
I was initially a little worried when I started the bike this morning... there was appreciable clutch drag at idle, but this soon stopped as soon as the bike warmed up and presumably all the plates settled down.
This forum is ace... I wouldn't have managed it without y'all

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 9:12 am
by D-Rider
Great news rick !
And what's more, you've prepared our flag design for when we start the Falco Olympics

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 9:13 am
by rick
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 9:58 pm
by HowardQ
Glad it all turned out OK Rick, and without much expense!
You can get back to enjoying it now.
Hope the house move goes OK mate.
Not done it too often but never had an easy one yet!