Help! BT 4 Speed Clutch Knowledge Requested!

[confab]

I am now over powering my clutch. It was fine before with the old engine. Now, I am slipping it. It has been getting worse.

I replaced it with a set of ALTO Reds, steels and a 5 stud drum, barnett stock springs and a flat aluminum release disk/pressure plate on the outside.

I have to really crank the springs down past stock setting to make it hold better and the clutch handle effort is getting very high.

In fact, it has slipped SO BAD and for SO LONG, I expected it to be burned up.. So, I go to put a new ALTO Carbonite clutch in it today and I find it is perfect. No damage. Like brand new. It just slips.

I want a wet clutch setup that will hold up to my abuse.

In your opinion - Should I?

1) Install the Carbonite clutch and give it try? I am reluctant to do this because I think I'll just slip it also..

2) The holding power of a clutch is multiplied across the number of friction elements.. I can add more of those. Is there an easy way to do that? Someone would have to make thinner (wet) plates and steels to replace the ones I have. Do you have a recommendation or a part number?

3) I can just crank the damn springs down and add a mousetrap. But, I really don't want to.

4) I can upgrade the WHOLE THING with a part like this one:

https://www.denniskirk.com/york/clut...prd/384761.sku

Are you familiar with these? It has seven elements and a bellville type spring arrangement like the late models. This should make it stronger than my clutch, assuming surface area and clamping force are the same or better.

Do they hold better? What is the lever effort like? Have you used one? Is there a better or cheaper alternative? (Because this is like five hundred bucks.)

What direct experience do you have and what would you do to fix this?

[confab]

PS: Looking back over the Carbonite kit, it does claim to have 6 frictions instead of 5.. I forgot about that. So, it is an improvement.

Steels are Kolene. Which is a gritty, black, steel that can take more abuse before burning up.

????

[confab]

I also see Bellville spring arrangements like this one.. Which.. I assume work with the stock style frictions and steels?

Do they hold better? Is the lever effort good, or? Are they an improvement?

https://www.denniskirk.com/v-twin-ma...prd/385997.sku

[Dragstews]

A little more icing for the cake ..

RIVERA PRIMO 1058-0008 VARIABLE PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY, Variable pressure plate assembly is easy on the hand, but features increased pack pressure at higher rpm



Easy to pull the clutch lever when shifting, with a dramatic increase in clutching power under the influence of high horsepower for instantaneous engagement
Up to 60% more pressure (clutch pack compression) enabling the use of a lighter diaphragm clutch spring for up to 50% easier clutch lever effort with no loss of performance
Fits under all OEM outer primary covers

[confab]

Interesting.. Looking for an instruction manual for one now.

The website doesn't really say much about their clutch. Amazon seems to like them. 100% reviews.

[james69]

I would steer clear of the made in Taiwan york set up.

I would spend the extra $ made in usa by primo or BDL if you're going to go that route. I've used both BDL competitor clutch and the rivera primo set up and have liked them both.

[Dragstews]

Call em and Pow-Wow ... 800-872-1515
Try to chat with Mike ..

[JBinNC]

First thing I would do is check the clutch pushrod adjustment to BE SURE that the pushrod and release mechanism is not holding pressure on the pressure plate constantly. It takes VERY LITTLE pressure here to make the clutch slip, and that sure sounds like what is going on.

Next, replace the stock springs with Barnett FOOT CLUTCH springs. They are red or reddish orange, as opposed to blue for the Barnett HAND CLUTCH springs. I do this for most four speed clutches that are backing up hopped up motors. Also, if you are running a so-called wet clutch in an isolated four speed primary, you can only get away with 6 oz. or so of oil. If your clutch is swimming in oil, you will never get it to work right. (That is why I don't like isolated primaries for four speeds, but that is a discussion for another day.)

The six plate clutch, if you already have it, may solve your problem if the above points are addressed as well.

Jim

[confab]

Thanks for all your help!

Normally, I wouldn't do this.. But I had some credits with another retailer and between that and being cheaper than everyone else to begin with, I got the York Kevlar Clutch kit for $350.. And it was the last one at that price, so I bought it.

We'll see if that was a mistake or not.

Thank You!