Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech need help with clutch problem

riding home today, started up hill, could feel the clutch slipping like a mad man! Only 5300 miles on 04 speedmaster. Can I adjust this or does it sound like clutch plate change?

check the clutch cable, also make sure your not just lugging the engine. these bikes do not like to be at low rpm's

Frank

Try adjusting the free play at the lever first, then at the engine.

checked both ends of the cable with no luck. It is definately slipping though-I just got off it and any throttle above 3 grand just revs out...uggghhh! How reuseable (if any) is the primary gasket on this thing? Thinking of taking it off tomorrow and see if there is any OBVIOUS problem.
Thanks

Primary gasket absolutely not reuseable. You have some free play in lifter arm, right? The lever/lifter arm movement rotates a flat-sided dowel that moves a "bullet pin" only a couple of millimeters to dis-engage clutch. These clutches are pretty tough, but the stock springs don't do well with severe thrashing. Mine was slipping when downshifting and wide-open throttle, stiffer clutch springs cured it. Did this happen all at once, like one of the four springs broke, maybe?

Yes, happened all at once! Rode to work this morning about 65-75 mph NO ISSUES. Bike sat for 1/2 a day then got on it to go home...going up steep hill, I go to get on it and it rev'd out and been doing it since. I still rode it home with a limp but I can defiantely tell the plates are not messing up completely. SUCK about the gasket-was hoping to do it tomorrow and the nearest dealer is 120 miles away!!! What about silicone gasket maker?

I had the same problem. All I needed to do was install the Barnett heavy duty springs!! not slipped a bit since and about 16,000 miles later. The Triumph clutch plates are good ones, the springs have a lot to be desired.

Don't know about the gasket-in-a-tube stuff. I wouldn't try it myself, because the whole time I had cover off, there was oil dripping off the bottom edge. Never liked using that stuff anyway for fear a glob would get in oil passage somewhere.
Edit- Barnett springs cured mine, too, but mine was not an all at once failure.

Next question...Is the silver panel on the primary cover an inspection panel that pops off or is it just there for looks? If it is an inspection panel, can I get to the springs there without removing the whole primary cover like my old P.O.S. V-twin?

It's for looks only. You must remove the entire cover to gain access to the clutch.

If you are unfamiliar with what's in there, it helps to have a shop manual and this. 5th posting down.

Thanks you everyone for your help thus far!!! Parts are on order and wont be in until next week at which time I may a few more questions. Until then-THANK YOU!!!