Topic: Clutch kits

[Markcb750]

Anyone tried these on a basically stock 750K?


APE EXTRA PLATE CLUTCH KITS

APE "Extra plate" clutch kits are the strongest clutches available for your motorcycle. They have become the industry standard...the best. Although designed for racing applications, they are perfect for performance street bikes. They do not grab and chatter . APE clutch kits feature an extra friction plate for 14% more clutch surface. From your all out nitrous drag racer, to "killer" horsepower street bike, or just your well tuned stocker. The APE "Extra Disc' clutch is a must.

Kits include friction plates, extra steel plate, and heavy
duty spring kit. Installs just like a stock clutch.
CK750-3    Honda 750 all models thru '78    $99.95


Mine (stock 750K) is a little weak, chatters when run "hot" for a while.

[MCRider]

Anyone tried these on a basically stock 750K?


APE EXTRA PLATE CLUTCH KITS

APE "Extra plate" clutch kits are the strongest clutches available for your motorcycle. They have become the industry standard...the best. Although designed for racing applications, they are perfect for performance street bikes. They do not grab and chatter . APE clutch kits feature an extra friction plate for 14% more clutch surface. From your all out nitrous drag racer, to "killer" horsepower street bike, or just your well tuned stocker. The APE "Extra Disc' clutch is a must.

Kits include friction plates, extra steel plate, and heavy
duty spring kit. Installs just like a stock clutch.
CK750-3    Honda 750 all models thru '78    $99.95


Mine is a little weak, chatters when run "hot" for a while.

Are you saying , by "mine" that you have one of the APE kits? Or is "mine" the stocker?

The stock clutch was puny from the get go. Springs alone fix it for most. Barnett used to be major manufacturer for after market clutches, about $100, better feel, indestructible. Don't rememebr if they had the extra plate or not.

[Markcb750]

Thanks for the lead about Barnett, looks like I can order locally if I decide to go that way.

Still curious about APE, as an engineer I have an appreciation for multi-plate clutches and the effect of properly executed additional plates.

[Tower]

On the CB750's there were three more-or-less distinct clutch configurations. 
Type A (K0,K1,K2):
Is the original and might be called the "Extra disk short basket design" 
This design has a slightly larger clutch disk at the base of the inner basket and was notorious for chatter - probably because the springs were weak and the plates and disks did not have sufficient rigidity to dampen vibrations.
Type B (K3, K4, K5, F):
Might be called the "Sprung short basket design"
This design removed the extra disk and strengthened the springs.  Chatter was much less evident.
Type C (K6, K7, K8, F2):
Might be called the "Long basket design" 
Longer basket and internal parts, longer and stronger springs, and a double rivetted centre plate, solved the chatter problem and significantly strengthened the clutch.

Parts were only somewhat interchangeable, but only in certain combinations.

An extra plate (as in the aftermarket variety) is of dubious benefit in any of these designs.  Stronger springs are a benefit, but have the downside of putting even more pressure on the weakest link in the chain, i.e. the clutch pressure plate.

[Markcb750]

My 1971 500 Four had clutch chatter issues also, I installed stronger springs which seemed to help.




The Barnett "kit" is $155 from a local shop VS the $100 for the APE kit.  Springs are about $15.


Funny that no one here has used the APE kit, some good comments about the company.

[MCRider]

My 1971 500 Four had clutch chatter issues also, I installed stronger springs which seemed to help.




The Barnett "kit" is $155 from a local shop VS the $100 for the APE kit.  Springs are about $15.


Funny that no one here has used the APE kit, some good comments about the company.

That sounds high for the Barnett, but I've looked around the internet and can't find any pricing at all. They may be trading on their name as its got the rep.

The APE kit could be a relabeled Barnett for all we know. I doubt APE  "makes" it themselves, and I doubt they would sell anything that won't work well, based on their drag racing rep.

I'll be buying one soon and likely go with the APE.

PS:-edit- I just found these http://www.morepower.info/t6m6mr2173555/Transmission/Motorcycle-Clutch-Kits/Barnett-Clutch-Kits/Honda/c-1-5426-1816-10711-10712/
virtually all are $98.95, don't include the steel plates which don't need to be replaced. But even those with the steel plates (NX650, RC51) are $120.  Maybe use it for some leverage with your local shop. If you like your shop, I wouldn't let $50 hang me up.

PPS: I see that our SOHC is not specifically listed. They say to call if your model is not seen. It may be higher priced, as a non-or less current model.

[Sam Green Racing]

The owner of APE (Jay) is a member of this forum, why not PM him and ask your questions.

You can find him on the second line of this forum along side the connecting rod thread.

Sam.

[Markcb750]

Have sent Big Jay an email, no response...

So I am bumping this in hope someone has experience with the extra plate clutch kit.

Mark

[eurban]

Did you try searching from the Tech Forums page under something like "APE clutch"?  There has been a number of discussions on this site about it . . .As much as I appreciate the support that companies like APE give to our aging beasts, I must say that I was not particularly pleased with their extra plate clutch kit.  One issue is that although the kit is claimed to work with all years of the SOHC 750, it is not truly compatible with the the late "deeper" basket clutches that Honda began using somewhere around 75/76.  These clutches have the double thick center steel and the outer most friction disc has a wider tang to fit into a widened section at the end of the clutch basket fingers.  The stack height with the APE kit and the stock the double center steel is too tall to fit,  so you must omit the double plate and source an additional regular thickness steel to replace it.  This leaves you with a stack height slightly less than stock and likely less than ideal.  Also, no wider tanged friction disc is supplied so the outer most disc is a very loose fit in the wider section of the clutch basket fingers.  This is not ideal.  The setup worked OK but finding neutral was particularly difficult and occasionally the clutch would emit a nasty screeching/buzzing noise upon initial cold take off.  Replacing the APE setup with new stock parts and a set of heavy duty springs has resulted in a nicely performing clutch that handles the power of my project's 836 motor. I have read a few other reports on this site suggesting that the increased stack height of the APE kit in the earlier style clutches (which is presumably what it was designed for) made for difficult neutral engagement. . .Overall, my feeling is that you are better off with OEM frictions and steels in good condition and heavy duty springs (for performance applications) than using an extra plate kit.  I honestly don't think it is proper to advertise the kit as being compatible with all years the SOHC 750s . . . .

[Markcb750]

I did both a site and new Google search before I posted, could be my answer is lost in the clutter and I ran out of patience before I found it.


Your response is helpful eurban, Thank You.

[754]

I liked the Barnett xtra plate, it worked well..through lots of abuse.

Does have some quirks when cold and is pretty rough, but I slip the clutch a lot and run it hard and it will hold up. If you are looking for smoothness and nice manners you can do without the extraplate type.(you may hate it)

I was a Barnett dealer way back and really like their products & service.. but..

I would probably get the APE.. because Jay has been helpful and is willing  to work with us.

[Big Jay]

We have made this kit since about 1974. back then it was the only clutch to use in big motored Hondas. As the big motors went away, people have used stock clutchs with stiff springs and gotten them to work pretty much.

There are no high horsepower Hondas being built anymore, mainly because of the rod issue. Now that that is solved, if big power Hondas ever make a comeback, this will again be the only clutch kit that can handle it.

We have sold thousands of kits. There are some bikes that have had these clutches in them for 25+ years.

Jay

[72hondacb750]

I'm in the market for a new clutch on my bike which is stock for now.. I regularly carry a passenger and want something that is going to be well mannered .. Is this the right clutch to choose? I like the idea of another friction plate but don't want a clutch that'll be too grabby...

Thanks.