Topic: KO pressure plate destruction

[Dummysales]

I'm in the market for a 1970 KO pressure plate.

When installing the old one that recently had some welding done to stabilize one of the legs, I thought I'd stripped a different leg. Upon disassembly, I find all four legs fractured at their bases on the plate. I invested hours in filing and grinding the welding down to allow the clearances the pressure plate needed to mate with the inner hub and the outer clutch basket. None of that work touched the other pressure plate legs that broke.

What could I have possibly done to create such a devastation?

There were seven fiber plates and six steel plates in the assembly. The old fiber plates were within tolerance, but since it was apart, I put new fiber plates in. I'm reading other threads and note that KO only had six/six plates. My serial number of the engine is E-10331xx. I've had the bike since 1973 and it's always been registered as a '70.

Viewing the other threads concerning spring length, I'd say mine are the short variety based upon length to diameter ratios shown on photos.

The inner clutch splined unit is 41 mm deep. The pressure plate legs are 35 mm.

[Don R]

 It appears the stack was too thick and when you tightened up the bolts they couldn't close the gap. But I'm only guessing. You should be able to assemble the plates and discs, assemble the hub and carrier and it should close up the gap.

[newday777]

I'm in the market for a 1970 KO pressure plate.

When installing the old one that recently had some welding done to stabilize one of the legs, I thought I'd stripped a different leg. Upon disassembly, I find all four legs fractured at their bases on the plate. I invested hours in filing and grinding the welding down to allow the clearances the pressure plate needed to mate with the inner hub and the outer clutch basket. None of that work touched the other pressure plate legs that broke.

What could I have possibly done to create such a devastation?

There were seven fiber plates and six steel plates in the assembly. The old fiber plates were within tolerance, but since it was apart, I put new fiber plates in. I'm reading other threads and note that KO only had six/six plates. My serial number of the engine is E-10331xx. I've had the bike since 1973 and it's always been registered as a '70.

Viewing the other threads concerning spring length, I'd say mine are the short variety based upon length to diameter ratios shown on photos.

The inner clutch splined unit is 41 mm deep. The pressure plate legs are 35 mm.

Interesting dilemma you have there. I haven't seen or read of the plate legs cracked or broken.
Was your clutch slipping that you tore into it?
Did you put in 7 discs when it only had 6 when you took it apart or did you not count them?

The good news is the part numbers are the same on K0-K2, 22350-300-010 so it isn't limited to just the K0 to get one from.

Then on K3-K8 goes to 22350-300-030. I don't know what changed to get a different part number.

The bad news is I couldn't find a new plate available in my searches. So used will be your only option to get another plate.

[newday777]

I'm in the market for a 1970 KO pressure plate.

What could I have possibly done to create such a devastation?

There were seven fiber plates and six steel plates in the assembly. The old fiber plates were within tolerance, but since it was apart, I put new fiber plates in. I'm reading other threads and note that KO only had six/six plates. My serial number of the engine is E-10331xx. I've had the bike since 1973 and it's always been registered as a '70.

Viewing the other threads concerning spring length, I'd say mine are the short variety based upon length to diameter ratios shown on photos.

The inner clutch splined unit is 41 mm deep. The pressure plate legs are 35 mm.

According to the CMS fiche there should be 7 friction disks not 6 as you said you read. Where was it you read that there should be 6?
I'm not up on the K0-K2 clutches.

[Dummysales]

Don R, all the info I have and the experience of pulling this clutch apart, suggest the seven fiber plates is a correct load out for the 1970 model. I'm assuming it was earlier sandcast models that may have had only six fiber plates. And yes, the clutch was slipping. Not sure why because all the parts measure within tolerances. I did rough up the steel plates for reinstallation and have new fiber plates.

So, yes, something wasn't right with the stack or the reassembly of the entire clutch. I didn't pull the basket, so that shouldn't have been in consideration. I was turning the four bolts 1/2 turn apiece in counterclockwise movement and before any torque applied toward the normal bottoming of the bolt to it's resting place, I felt a click. I went to a different bolt and it kept going around without gaining tension. The other two bolts left did the same thing. Upon disassembly, all four legs were found cracked. I've attained another clutch assembly and have disassembled that. Perhaps tomorrow a friend mechanic and I will get it together correctly. We'll see...

[Dummysales]

@Newday7777,

Thanks for the note. I have found a used clutch and the pressure plate is solid. The only assembly issue I can think of is how the clutch spring washer, tabbed washer, and four-slotted nut goes on the shaft. The shaft seemed to be about 2 mm recessed when I put on the spring washer. Perhaps I was one metal disc shy of being bottomed inside the inner. I'll certainly be looking for that next time around. Waj

[newday777]

Here's some reading on the different clutches

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=191042.new;topicseen#new

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190413.msg2202792/topicseen.html#new