Clutch cushion rings

[GR400]

I'm sure this must have been discussed before but I can't find it.

I've seen a few posts recently with people saying they are leaving the rubber rings out when rebuilding clutch.  What are the pro's and con's of leaving them out?

[tore]

I am not sure anyone figured what those are for.
Some claim the clutch perform better without them (no explanation how).
I have mine installed just to because I had a new set when I replaced the clutch.

[D Peacock]

They make the clutch quieter as the stop the friction plates chattering. I run the XS250 style friction plates which have a bigger friction area (smaller ID) so can't run the cushion rings, however I wouldn't run the standard plates without them.

[5port]

Hi Dan, is that the XS250C/D/E plates, EBC2279?
Cheers

5port

[D Peacock]

Hi Dan, is that the XS250C/D/E plates, EBC2279?
Cheers

5port

Yep pretty sure that’s the kit. The custom uses a different kit but I’d remember if it was that.

[tore]

Maybe Ducati should consider such rubbers.

Skickat från min S52 via Tapatalk

[GR400]

Thanks gents.
I had wondered if deleting the cushion rings maybe allowed the clutch to clamp up tighter and be less likely to slip.  I guess not 

 

[5port]

Thanks gents.
I had wondered if deleting the cushion rings maybe allowed the clutch to clamp up tighter and be less likely to slip.  I guess not 

I think, if anything, they help separate the plates as the clutch is operated. Yamaha call them cushions and possibly they reduce rattling.  There is space used by the rings that can be used for more friction area, and many similar Yamaha clutches do use that, without rubber cushions.  I use the rubbers in all my RD road clutches but, I have deleted them from the track bike and, I may also try the XS plates with the larger friction area.   

5port 

[Barnett]

Thanks gents.
I had wondered if deleting the cushion rings maybe allowed the clutch to clamp up tighter and be less likely to slip.  I guess not 

I think, if anything, they help separate the plates as the clutch is operated. Yamaha call them cushions and possibly they reduce rattling.  There is space used by the rings that can be used for more friction area, and many similar Yamaha clutches do use that, without rubber cushions.  I use the rubbers in all my RD road clutches but, I have deleted them from the track bike and, I may also try the XS plates with the larger friction area.   

5port

+1 yes plate separators helps allow all plates to separate from each other when clutch operated preventing say a pair of lazy plates sticking together and smooths the action between the plates when clutch is released.

[vectisitch]

I just left my old ones out. No problems like that

[chrisg.007]

Thanks gents.
I had wondered if deleting the cushion rings maybe allowed the clutch to clamp up tighter and be less likely to slip.  I guess not 

I think, if anything, they help separate the plates as the clutch is operated. Yamaha call them cushions and possibly they reduce rattling.  There is space used by the rings that can be used for more friction area, and many similar Yamaha clutches do use that, without rubber cushions.  I use the rubbers in all my RD road clutches but, I have deleted them from the track bike and, I may also try the XS plates with the larger friction area.   



5port

I thought that they were there to separate, however I was told that they are there to dampen the clutch effect (whatever that means).
Most of the guys on the LC site have ditched them and have not had any issues.

[5port]

I thought that they were there to separate, however I was told that they are there to dampen the clutch effect (whatever that means).
Most of the guys on the LC site have ditched them and have not had any issues.

Yes, you would guess that they have some effect, Yamaha and other makers use similar on some clutches.  The difference might just be to do with clutch "feel" or similar.  As they help keep the plates apart, you wouldn't think that they help the max clutch grip.  I am happy with them in the standard bike, like almost every standard Yamaha part they put in!   

5port

[Alistair64]

If I may offer some input which may help (better late than never).
Agree with all of the above.
On my tuned Powervalve I've left them out.
It seems to make absolutely no difference in terms of noise or plate separation, but helps with possible clutch slipping.
However, on my RD200, it did seem to make the clutch noisier, so I put them back in.
As neither of these experiences apply to your bike, it's probably no help whatsoever!

[GR400]

Thanks for input Alistair.  I was interested because I have heard of this being done a fair bit, but I think you're right mainly with LC's.

Now my 400 is run in and can be ridden harder, the clutch sometimes slips momentarily before hooking up on full bore changes. I plan to pull the cover off sometime to see if there is anything obvious wrong, and had wondered if this was a 'mod' worth doing while I was in there.  When I built the engine I fitted stronger springs but could barely move the lever! so put it back to new stock springs.  I might try 3 of each next time.

Another question to all: Could a worn basket with too deep ridges in the fingers also cause my issue - Plates not moving in and out smoothly enough?

[tore]

Another question to all: Could a worn basket with too deep ridges in the fingers also cause my issue - Plates not moving in and out smoothly enough?

Yes, this is a common issue with RDs.The clutch basket is too soft so ridges appear. Those ridges interfere with the clutch operation
There are a number of aftermarket options made in stronger alloy.