Topic: 550 barnett clutch kit

[moham]

Posted this question in my build thread but got nada, so here it is for the rest of the group:

Going over the Barnett clutch kit (550) and noticing the friction disks, 6 and 1. Six are at 2.7mm and the 7th is 3+mm. Looking through the shop manual for orientation of the disks and measuring the old ones, I couldn't determine where the thicker friction plate goes in the stack. The manual doesn't mention a different thickness for the friction disks. Anyone got a clue?

[bryanj]

Thats cos Honda dont have a thicker plate so no idea

[meb1948]

If you haven't disassembled your existing clutch assembly, I'd measure each disk as it was removed to see if one is thicker then the others and its location within the basket.  If all disks are the same thickness, I'd contact Barnett at:

http://www.barnettclutches.com/contact/

I also found this item for the CB750 in the tech library:

http://www.sohc4.net/images/c/c4/Clutch_rattle.jpg

I'll follow this thread because I will eventually encounter the same problem when I rebuild my 400F clutch.

Mark.

[Grizzly]

Don't know if this is any use to you.

I have just replaced the clutch on my 750 K7. Six friction plates have one part number with the remaining slightly larger friction plate using a different part number. The six smaller friction plates go in first with the larger friction plate the very last of the plates to go in.

Never worked on a 550 before so this might not apply.

[moham]

Thanks guys, I think I'll call Barnett to double-check the specs...These came as a kit from our favorite on-line auction site so  I should make sure they are correct. I know everything else is, just not 100% on the one mystery plate.

[hymodyne]

earlier posts here have suggested just not using the 7th friction plate.

hym

[moham]

Contacted the seller and barnett for assistance so now I wait...thanks to those that replied.

[moham]

Here's what Barnett had to say"

"The 'odd' plate installs first over the center hub. It will be the last friction to slide into the basket. The slots on your basket should be wider on the outside. The square drive tabs on the odd friction are wider than the others. It will fit in only one position. If you removed the old clutch pack, the new one will install in exactly the same order. The Honda service manual should show the correct order, too."

I'm fine with everything except the last sentence. As far as I remember, the shop manual didn't give any discussion to the order of friction disks in the basket. I may be wrong...In any case, I'll do what he says and see what happens.

[Flying J]

How did your barnet clutch work out? Im trying to decide if I want to spend the money on the Barnet clutch or do the stock.

[NickC]

I had no odd size clutch discs on my 550, everything was the same. I went with factory stuff and barnett HD springs.....

[moham]

How did your barnet clutch work out? Im trying to decide if I want to spend the money on the Barnet clutch or do the stock.

I'll let you know as soon as I get it running. Had to solve the 7th plate mystery before getting everything assembled. Now the springs/actuating lever are super stiff so I need to evaluate everything once I get closer to firing...

[elquenada]

Im wondering what you decided to do about this problem.  Im in the middle of installing a set of these EBC plates:  http://www.starcycle-usa.com/servlet/Detail?no=10777.

I am having the same problem you posted about.  I installed all the plates except for the last one, the "odd sized" one and in the end just decided to put back one of the old plates.  Im not sure if this is a good idea and Im wondering what you ever decided to do and how it turned out?

TIA

[elquenada]

just wanted to update.  I called Starcycle (where I bought the clutch plates) and EBC.  They both told me that for some reason the CB 550 is cross listed.  So they sell one part listed for CB550 F/K 75-78 and then they sell another listed for the CB 550 K/K1 74-75.  Evidently the later models had an odd sized clutch plate that the earlier ones did not have.  Hope this helps someone else.

[moham]

just wanted to update.  I called Starcycle (where I bought the clutch plates) and EBC.  They both told me that for some reason the CB 550 is cross listed.  So they sell one part listed for CB550 F/K 75-78 and then they sell another listed for the CB 550 K/K1 74-75.  Evidently the later models had an odd sized clutch plate that the earlier ones did not have.  Hope this helps someone else.

Well you found out what I did by asking around a bunch. Finally someone here hipped me to the difference in clutch plate packs for later 550s. Called Barnett and the guy that sold me the kit shipped out the right plate. Clutch is now installed but possibly incorrectly as I am 3/5 of a moron. Have not yet got the bike running that the clutch is attached to...

[elquenada]

i guess thats better than 4/5 of a moron,  good luck!