Outer Clutch Basket

[Jaye]

Hi all just wanted to get some advice before I go spending loads of money on parts. My bike developed a slight rattle about a month ago which has steadily gotten louder. This noise appeared to be coming from the clutch housing and as I had been having trouble with the clutch lever and gear selection, it seemed a good idea to take a look at the clutch. Last night it was stripped down and inspected fully. All seems fine with the exception of slightly blue steel plates, however my main concern is with the springs in the outer clutch basket - Should there be any movement at all in these springs as it seems that this could be the reason for the rattle as several move around alot?? I'd be really grateful of any help.

[thelastsuperpower]

I had the same thing which turned out to be wear on the fingers of the basket, they were so notched that it interfered with clutch action.
Im pretty sure the springs are under tension when the clutch isnt operated so there shouldnt be much if any free play.

[TLS-Moose]

I had the same thing which turned out to be wear on the fingers of the basket, they were so notched that it interfered with clutch action.
Im pretty sure the springs are under tension when the clutch isnt operated so there shouldnt be much if any free play.

1. first thing to check
2. You're right

Some clutches do rattle naturally at tick-over though ...... old air-cooled stuff like GSX11's and GPz11's particularly so

[jam]

Which springs are you refering to? there are the springs which compress your clutch plates these should have no free play when assembled, then there are the damper springs in the back of the clutch outer which act as dampers between the crank and the clutch, if these are at fault it will allow the outer to rotate a few degrees back and forth, there should be no real movement of this at all. These springs have a hard life and can in some cases give up the will to live and cause your clutch to rattle like buggery. The only fix for this is to buy a new clutch outer, as the rivets that hold the drive pinion onto the outer basket are not servicable.

[Jaye]

I've checked the fingers on the basket and they don't seem to bad, still pretty smooth. The springs i'm concerned about are the one in the back of the outer basket inside a small cage, the 'damper' springs. There is a hell of a lot of movement in these and I think it's pretty knackered. Outer baskets from Honda are £360.00! Second hand ones are seeming hard to come by and the ones I have seen are advertised as full clutches at £100 plus VAT (DK Spares). None on Ebay, and CMS workshop isn't open until Saturday... the search continues...

[jam]

I thought from your description it was the damper springs, I have split them before and had new rivets welded in after rebuilding them but it's a pain in the arse doing them. Usually there are 3 rivets which allow the outer ally part to move on the clutch gear against the springs, over time the springs take a battering and can give up the ghost as yours have done by the sounds of it.
If you are really stuck give me a shout and I'll have a look, you can't buy the springs but I've got loads of springs from some others sitting here which would probably do the trick and my tame CNC god can sort out the rivets and then I can rebuid it all and have the rivets TIG welded back together rather than having them pressed, which is stronger. It is possible to have the outer basket welded up to make the thing solid rather than sprung which is another option to consider, it's usually done for racing applications but depending on the bike can be used on the road.

[Jaye]

I thought from your description it was the damper springs, I have split them before and had new rivets welded in after rebuilding them but it's a pain in the arse doing them. Usually there are 3 rivets which allow the outer ally part to move on the clutch gear against the springs, over time the springs take a battering and can give up the ghost as yours have done by the sounds of it.
If you are really stuck give me a shout and I'll have a look, you can't buy the springs but I've got loads of springs from some others sitting here which would probably do the trick and my tame CNC god can sort out the rivets and then I can rebuid it all and have the rivets TIG welded back together rather than having them pressed, which is stronger. It is possible to have the outer basket welded up to make the thing solid rather than sprung which is another option to consider, it's usually done for racing applications but depending on the bike can be used on the road.

Thanks for your offer of help and your advice. I did just this, took the rivet heads off, packed the springs with shims and had it TIG welded - good as new. Replaced the clutch too as it was worn - CMS have done well out of me, new brake pads, new clutch and oil filter last week! Pretty much replaced most things so should run well now....