Topic: Ape clutch

[teebee67]

I have fitted an Ape clutch with 2 extra friction plates and 1 extra steel to my 850 race bike. Problem is, no matter how carefully I let the clutch out, it reaches a point where it just "grabs". This makes it very hard to get off the line quickly. Has anyone any experience of this problem and, more importantly any advice? The bike has only done 1 race meeting, is it something that is likely to "bed in"? Any help much appreciated.

[voxonda]

Have this clutch in for our 3rd season and no problems at all..........Strange.

Wished I could be of any assistance.

Good luck.

[teebee67]

I'm glad to hear that voxonda, I'm just wondering if the clutch is too good and may be ok once it is "bedded in". It certainly works well once I'm off the start line.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Have you asked Big Jay or any of the tech guys at APE?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Which clutch basket, early or the longer 77/78?\

Did you soak the plates overnight?

[Sam Green Racing]

Are you doing Aintree next weekend Tony ?

[teebee67]

Not asked anyone from Ape yet (I bought it in the UK). Yes I soaked them overnight. Yes Sam doing Aintree - did 3 Sisters last week - good debut, 2 wins out of 2.

[MCRider]

Are you using the APE springs? I didn't like them and went back to an earlier version, heavy duty, unknown origin, heavier than stock, works really well.

Try the stockers maybe, anyway.

[754]

Are you dumpingthe clutch or slipping it to get off the line.
If you are slipping it you stay in control..

[Sam Green Racing]

Not asked anyone from Ape yet (I bought it in the UK). Yes I soaked them overnight. Yes Sam doing Aintree - did 3 Sisters last week - good debut, 2 wins out of 2.

Don't know if you know Tony but you can reach Jay from APE through this forum.
Jay sponsors this page and this is his contact info. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=profile;u=2267

Sam.

[teebee67]

Yes I'm using the Ape springs but I have some heavy duty ones for the standard clutch, maybe I will try them. I am trying to slip the clutch off the line but it suddenly "grabs".
I didn't know that Sam - I'll pm him - thanks.

[madmtnmotors]

Are you using motorcycle specific oil? Any zinc additive?

Some automotive oils and some zinc additives don't play well with wet clutches.

[Sam Green Racing]

I'll be at Aintree if I can get a lift, I've got two mates riding in the Sidecar class and a few mates from facebook who want to meet. It will be good to see the Two Tonys CR750 in action.  hahaha

Sam.

[teebee67]

I'm using motorcycle friendly oil designed for use with a wet clutch.

[madmtnmotors]

Maybe the disengagement ramps inside the clutch cover (balls/sockets) showing their age (excessive wear/notches)? Are they the same components from before the clutch plate upgrade?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Has the APE extra plate clutch been designed for the earlier and/or later basket?! maybe not enough room for all discs in an earlier basket??

[brandEn]

I have an APE clutch in my K4 hot rod and the clutch was a bit grabby. I removed one of the fiber plates and its much better now.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'll be at Aintree if I can get a lift, I've got two mates riding in the Sidecar class and a few mates from facebook who want to meet. It will be good to see the Two Tonys CR750 in action.  hahaha

Sam.

Hey Sam.  Nice to see you posting again!

[Sam Green Racing]

I'll be at Aintree if I can get a lift, I've got two mates riding in the Sidecar class and a few mates from facebook who want to meet. It will be good to see the Two Tonys CR750 in action.  hahaha

Sam.

Hey Sam.  Nice to see you posting again!

Thanks but I have to limit my time on line as they are not sure if it was over use of the computer that caused my seizure back in January.
I usually take a quick look on here daily and also on facebook.
If I didn't have the computer, I think I would go round the twist looking at 4 walls all the time.
I get to walk around the village once or sometime twice a day but that only takes up half an hour or so.

Regards Sam.

[Sam Green Racing]

Tony, I'm not sure if Jay even likes clutch bikes despite him selling clutch packs for them.
Here is Jay trying my Automatic for size, hahahaha.

[teebee67]

Well, there's a a few helpful suggestions for me to try so at least I have something to go at. Thanks all for the input.

[NitroHunter]

You might also check to be sure there are no notches or gouges, however slight, on the contact surfaces of the basket and inner. They can be filed / polished nicely. With the tiny amount of movement the clutches and floaters have, it takes little to impede a smooth engagement. Especially under load.  I had steel floaters gouge the aluminum noticeably at times, and the extra plate discs have a much thinner steel that wants to hang up on worn baskets.
At least that's what happened to me several times. Good luck

[MCRider]

Yes I'm using the Ape springs but I have some heavy duty ones for the standard clutch, maybe I will try them. I am trying to slip the clutch off the line but it suddenly "grabs".
I didn't know that Sam - I'll pm him - thanks.

Yeah, try the others. The APE springs were nearly unusable to me.

[754]

I am not sure what people expect of a racing clutch.
They can be harsh,quick to engage, trickery to use..and not gentle..
 I use them because stock can't handle how I use it.
 Although they can be more on or off than stock..you should be able to slip and control it to do a great job of getting of the line quick.

 I run an XL 350. On the dirt track..and I can launch wheel in the air with a street rear tire.. Its all in slipping the clutch..

[teebee67]

754, I've been riding bikes for 55+ years and racing them (with some success at club level) for nearly 30 years - I think I know how to slip a clutch and how to get a bike off the start line. If I say there's a problem then you can safely take it that there is a problem.