Topic: 400F Clutch / Spring Question

[TRPLE]

Last summer, I was having increasing trouble with 2-1 downshifts and not finding neutral during hot conditions on my 400F.  Suspecting that warped pressure plates could be a cause (and not knowing the clutch's history), I recently istalled a new set of friction and pressure plates from Honda. 

In the process, I remvoed and measured the clutch springs.  My Clymer manual states a minimum length of 34mm, and all four of my springs measured exactly 32mm.  I've never had an issue with clutch slip, and I wouldn't have correlated my previously stated problem with a slipping clutch or weak springs.

Curiously, this manual gives the 500/550 minimum length as 30.5mm.  Far be it for the "assembly is the reverse of disassembly" people to not be thorough... but are their stated values correct?  I would think if my springs were all 2mm too short I'd have noticeable slippage problems.

Also, I've had bad experience and it sounds like others have as well with HD springs requiring Herculean hand strength.  The EBC springs on Dennis Kirk say they're 10% stiffer than stock.  If I need to replace springs, are these reasonable or do better options exist?

For what it's worth, I haven't refilled the crankcase and tested the bike since replacing the clutch this weekend.  With the engine off, it pushes in neutral and in gear with clutch pulled, and it won't budge in gear with clutch engaged.

 - Matt

[HavocTurbo]

Measure the gaps between coils and compare to a new or newer set. If yours are still shorter then you might want to replace them.

I get a pretty decent deal on EBC HD springs. Much easier to use on a "new" clutch than putting them on one with lots of mileage. As with everything clutch related - experience may vary. Different riding styles and all that.

Even if yours were short overall but not in coil space, they might still perform within spec. Most clutch springs during the 60's-80's aren't progressive rate springs from the factory. Even today most bikes don't use them. So even though yours are short, they might still provide factory spec pressure.

[mattcb350f]

As for your shifting and finding neutral problem(s), I think you would feel warped plates on engagement, which if they are warped very much is quite noticable.

I'm not sure that weak springs would cause this shifting problem. I suspect the problem is is the linkage adjustment or maybe too thick of oil?

 Matt.