Hitchcocks Forum

I have a 350 bullet 1992 with the three plate clutch. Most of the time it is OK. Sometimes in heavy traffic though, when it gets a lot of use, it will slip and drag and be a pain. I adjust it regularly. It has the stiffer springs. It also has the outer-case stiffener bracket. I should add that i'm not light, around 17 stone. Question is, would converting to a four ( or five ) plate clutch make a difference, and if i were to do that what parts would i need to change?

Yep I have exactly the same issue with the same year of 350 with the same mods. I'm 13 stone so don't get the slip but I do get the drag and as soon as it happens it only gets worse. The clutch on the 92 (I have no other year as a comparison apart from a much older Reddich one) is a particularly poor piece of kit in that it is shoddily manufactured and made of poor material. I've pulled it apart several times and flattened the driven plates with a hide hammer and it will work fine until it gets overheated again. The last time was caused by a breaking cable. My current plan is to see if I can install a cork clutch. I've used older bigger bikes that have no issue with slip or drag and the corks last for decades. The alternative is to go for a total replacement of the existing setup or the five plate version but I'm loath to spend the money without hearing a review. Very interested to hear thoughts.

Hi guys----------- try those SURFLEX friction plates and a set of our hosts plain steel plates.....Run the Primary in ATF oil....How many BALLS have you got ( in the mainshaft, that is ) ??...They are placed along the length of the clutch push rod to help reduce rod flexing or bowing......The 5-plate mod means you can use lighter springs........... A heavy-duty clutch cable can reduce cable-flexing as well.......

The standard clucth and primary drive is crude , in 15 years I'm on my third chain and second clutch drum body as the balls were shot , I've am wearing out my slipper ..only a few years left , I dont know how fast the belt drive kit wears out , I get a bit of slip under power as the yellow springs make clutch operation heavy so they sit in the bag still , with more power more wear .

Total crap, worst clutches known to mankind, not sure why we continue to keep bothering with them. Newby clutch is fit and forget but a big bucket of money

Now this is how a clutch should look!

Although there was nothing wrong with the Reddich clutch. It was light and never dragged. This is why I'm thinking of cork.

So far no-one has responded saying that the four (or 5) plate clutch is an improvement on the three plate. I have only ever ridden with the three so i cannot compare. I wouldn't mind spending out on some sort of upgrade if it was worthwhile, i just cant afford a completely new clutch/belt drive as nice as it might be.

Mike they are all about the same

Hi Mike: If your clutch lever gets slack in heavy traffic or hot conditions, replace the steel ball between the two clutch activating rods with a ceramic ball usually 1/4", costs $5 AUS. This does not transmit heat to the second rod, so stopping expansion.