The clutch is by far one of the most important and efficient parts of your motorcycle. Without a good clutch, it will be very difficult to ride. The truth is the whole purpose of the clutch is to cut off the engine’s syndrome and propulsion, which helps you when riding to do things such as accelerate, stop, and shift gears smoothly according to the speed you ride.
So, how often should I replace my motorcycle clutch? You must replace the clutch every 3 to 6 years or after every 20,000 to 60,000 miles. To a great extent, it also depends on the quality and frequency of the oil change you make, the quality of the pair, the type of motorcycle, and the frequency of riding.
The life span of the clutch greatly depends on the general frequency of your motorcycle maintenance and riding. While several factors determine the life span of the clutch, the main factor is the correct adjustment of the chain of acceleration and manner of riding. Another important factor is oil. Most riders do not replace the oil regularly and they use the motorcycle every day at high speeds and over a long time, thus shortening the life span.
If all the motorcycle clutch topic is of interest to you so keep reading because in this guide I am Will show you all the things you need to know about your motorcycle clutch and especially how to maintain and maintain it
How do I know if my motorcycle clutch needs replacing?
If you are not sure your motorcycle clutch needs replacement, don’t worry as there are some signs that will tell you the clutch needs replacement.
- Bad clutch plates (less acceleration) – The first and most common way you can identify that your motorcycle clutch needs replacement is when you recognize that the boards are worn due to the fact that the motorcycle speed is weaker.
- A decrease in mileage – This happens when you can’t reach long miles. In this case, you should understand that the clutch is very worn. As a result, your engine works harder and burns more fuel in a short time.
- Smoke Exit from the emission – When black or white smoke comes out from the exhaust during a ride, it means the clutch plates are worn. However, other factors can cause white or black smoke from the exhaust. So, it is important to not only draw conclusions based on your gut feeling that it’s time to change the clutch. I would also advise you to consult a professional to check out the smoke from the exhaust because it may be the result of other problems.
- Stiff clutch handle – if your clutch handle is pretty stiff or even stuck and not pressing freely and lightly, the reason in most cases is that the clutch cable needs to be replaced or adjusted. But in some cases, it means the clutch needs a full replacement.
- Signs of Clutch Abrasion – So the truth is, by checking the outside of the motorcycle, you can inspect the clutch by removing it from the motorcycle and other clutch parts such as cables and discs and check for signs of abrasion, cracks, deformation, and corrosion.
- Difficulty getting into gear – If it is very difficult for you to switch between the gears of the motorcycle or you can’t even get into gear, it means your clutch is just bad or worn.
- Unpleasant sound – When you hear a very strange and unpleasant stray sound, that means the clutch is bad. The reason is that when the clutch plates are worn and old, the motorcycle fails to get into gear, resulting in unpleasant noises.
- Engine overheating – If your motorcycle engine is heating up at a fast pace, it means that the clutch is worn because when the clutch is worn, it causes the motorcycle to work with force.
How to maintain a motorcycle clutch?
If you want to extend the clutch life span and improve its performance over time, there are very simple ways that you can do that. It will not only speed up your clutch life significantly but also give it better performance.
Fit the cables, clutch, and chain
If you want your clutch to last a longer, the most important thing is you, first of all, make sure that the clutch capacitors are perfectly fastened so that they are not too tight or too loose. Also, make sure the capacitor is at least 5mm from the end of the lever and make sure that the clutch is also in a good position and the tensioning chain is in the appropriate position.
Replace oil regularly
A very significant factor that will greatly affect the clutch life and its efficiency is the rate of replacing the oil. You should replace your motorcycle’s oil at least every 2000 to 6000 miles, or twice a year.
In addition, replacing the oil will help the clutch work more smoothly and comfortably and the clutch’s life span will also increase significantly,
By the way, it’s important to note that when you use high-quality motorcycle oil, not only will your clutch will last longer and work smoother but the engine will also work better.
Do not ride aggressively
Riding aggressively includes
- Riding at very fast speeds
- High rotation
- Pulling Wheels
- Grinding performance
- The aggressive goal of clutch release
All of these actions will greatly reduce your clutch life and result in damage. Instead, drive gently so that the clutch can last longer.
What is a motorcycle clutch and how important is it?
The purpose of your motorcycle clutch is, in general, to propel and disconnect the transmission from the engine. It really helps you when riding and makes the assembly much simpler and efficient especially when changing gears.
In addition, you can use the motorcycle clutch by pressing the clutch levers. It is also important to note that you can switch gears without clutches; however, it is not mandatory for everyone but for those who prefer riding without clutches. In general, most riders will need a clutch. In my opinion, it is a must ride for any beginner rider to use a clutch.
How to replace my motorcycle clutch?
If you have concluded that your motorcycle clutch needs replacement, there no doubt you have to replace it. The truth is, it is not a complicated thing to do.
Are you having trouble replacing your clutch? I encourage you to seek help from a professional or a friend.
So, here are the steps you need to take to replace the clutch
Step 1. Get all the equipment you need
Before you start replacing the clutch, you need to get the necessary equipment. Therefore, you have to prepare your work area first and you will need the following equipment.
- Wrench
- New clutch
- screwdrivers
- Rags
- Clutch plate kit
- Grease
Step 2. Cut out the new clutch plates
Once you have all the tools you need, you should soak your new clutch plate with oil and give them a few hours to dry. The reason is that if they aren’t too dry and you install them, it can cause a fire.
Step 3. Remove the old clutch plates
Now, you have to remove your old clutch plates. I will not discuss that as there are loads of excellent online guides that will show you how to remove old clutch plates.
Step 4. Remove the clutch cover and gain access to the clutch
To access the old
clutch, you need to remove the clutch cover first.
You should loosen all the screws first and it’s important to remember to keep
the screws closed so you can close the clutch cover later.
In addition, you need to remove the wooden plate and remove all parts of the clutch. You should start from the screws, clutch springs, then the pressure plate, and then the entire clutch.
Step 5. Check the clutch basket and start repairing the new clutch
After removing the old clutch, you should check for any damage to the clutch basket. And after that, install all the new clutch parts.
Step 6. Close the wooden board and clutch cover
Once you have installed the new clutch, you need to reinstall the wooden plate and clutch cover.
In general, this is a short guide on how you can replace your motorcycle clutch. If you want the full and more detailed guide, I recommend you watch the YouTube video I added above and also click here to read the full guide.
Summary
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