How Thick Are New Clutch Friction Plates?

Hello everyone,

I have a 1983 KZ750 Spectre that I'm replacing the starter clutch on. In the process, I disassemble the clutch and I decided to measure the thickness of my friction plates. The Clymer manual states that a friction plate should be replaced if it's thinner than 0.14". Mine were at 0.14" - 0.15" thick so I ordered new friction plates. However, the new friction plates are only 0.15" - 0.16" thick. Did I get used friction plates, or are brand new friction plates supposed to only be 0.01" - 0.02" thicker than the wear limit?

Thanks!

how hard was the starter clutch to replace? i need to have it done on my bike

I'm still in the process of replacing it. I've gotten the exhaust, oil pump, and clutch off. I've been facing problems with screws stripping, which is slowing things down. It's fairly straight-forward, but it's just tedious and slow-going and sometimes frustrating.

I wouldn't think they wear too much, so that's probably reasonable for a new one. Hopefully someone else has a new one they can measure for you, but failing measurements to verify, I'd probably be fine with using that one.

Hello, kevstav13, and WELCOME to KZr!

Likely has same clutch plate specs as the road model.

May click this link and scroll down to the "The Bible," where there's a down-loadable service manual that should include the specs.

To confirm same part number, may consult kawasaki.com at the link shown in my signature.

Good Fortune!

kevstav13 wrote: Hello everyone,

I have a 1983 KZ750 Spectre that I'm replacing the starter clutch on. In the process, I disassemble the clutch and I decided to measure the thickness of my friction plates. The Clymer manual states that a friction plate should be replaced if it's thinner than 0.14". Mine were at 0.14" - 0.15" thick so I ordered new friction plates. However, the new friction plates are only 0.15" - 0.16" thick. Did I get used friction plates, or are brand new friction plates supposed to only be 0.01" - 0.02" thicker than the wear limit?

Thanks!

According to Kawasaki.com your bike uses the same friction plates as the KZ650. The Kawasaki KZ650 Service Manual lists the standard size of the friction plates as 3.7 – 3.9 mm (.146 - .155 in.) and the service limit as 3.5 mm (.138 in.). So it sounds like your new plates are in fact new. Ed