clutch basket ???

I put my clutch plates and springs in today. Then I started moving the clutch basket forward and back, man there is alot of play in the basket. I can rock it forward and back at least a quarter inch in each direction without the rear gear moving . Are the springs in the back of the basket worn out ? Or what else could this play be contributed to ? I did check the nut under the face plate and it is tight. Im thinking a new clutch basket, what do you guys think ? Thanks Wayne

You'll always have whatever play the tabs in your fiber clutch plates allow. Kind of hard to explain without a picture to illustrate, but the basic way the clutch works is the fiber plates dogs are always engaged with the outer basket, the steel plates inner teeth are always engaged with the inner drum. Spring pressure connects the two together to lock the clutch. Whatever natural play the dogs have to the basket and the plates have to the hub can be felt when you try to rotate the inner drum. Of course the more wear in the dogs, mating surface of the basket, the metal plates teeth and their respective teeth on the inner drum will make for more play. The springs, release mech, adjustment of the clutch ect, does not have any effect on the play. If I'm understanding you correctly you are talking about the rotational play? If your talking about the entire basket being loose on the engine, that's another story. Should be no in/out play.

I agree with Ron. It's normal. Check your outer basket for abnormal wear though to be safe. This is why you hear about dry clutches on Ducatis making such a racket, I think. I wonder if Harley's with belt primary drive conversion kits make noise too?

Maybe I wasent clear with my discription here, I ment the outer basket has play. Not the inner basket with the fiber and steel plates. When I rock the outer basket back and forth it seems to move about a quarter inch before the large teeth on the back of the outer basket moves. Does that make any more sense ? I also looked at buykawasaki.com and the outer basket does not have springs on the back of it, like my H-1 does. Wayne

Post edited by: Tower_Monkey1, at: 2006/02/07 21:34

maybe the gear dogs in the tranny?

I think when you turn the outer basket any play in your hyvo chain primary drive can be felt. This would be normal. Been a while since I've had to fool with the clutch on any on mine.

My basket is also loose about a quarter inch each way and I have tried to get the clutch working like eight times by the little activator arm still nothing. So is it normal for the basket to turn back and forth I thought I found my problem please let me know. 1982 tpz 550 h1