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Commando clutch questions

Submitted by gary_painter on Thu, 04/04/2019
Forums
Commando

Sorry for the barrage of questions!

I am thinking of getting an alloy clutch basket and oil-proof belt.

I have some used fibre friction plates in superficially good condition albeit a little oily. 

Is it okay to use fibre plates dry? 

Would cleaning with clutch and brake cleaner be enough? Or would the plates be soaked with oil over the years, and cause problems used dry? (Or smells!)

Will my original steel plates be okay in the alloy drum, or are alloy plates available. (I've used alloy baskets before but only with alloy friction plates.)

I'm wondering whether to use oil anyway just to keep things cooler and help limit clutch wear. I know this generally not done even with an oil-proof belt, but I am very loath to cut any slots in the cases for air.

The bearing is sealed so no worries there.

Also wondering why they are always called friction plates when they actually work by stiction?

Thanks in advance for giving it some thought.

Thanks for the info Dave, and thanks for replying to my question... Or the most important one anyway.

Come to think of it there's nothing to lose by trying the fibre plates anyway.

Since posting the questions, I bought a Tony Hayward belt drive kit, which uses all the standard clutch components in a new alloy drum with a sealed bearing already fitted.

The belt is steel braced polyurethane with 10mm pitch to the trapezoid teeth. The kit not only seems to be the most robust on the market but is the cheapest and simplest too.

Tony Hayward is a stranger to the internet, so you have to phone him to order a kit and then send him a cheque in the post.. All very quaint in this day and age. Although he did accept a BACS payment, so almost in the 21st century!!

 


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