Clutch basket change questions.

[fraserdog]

I have received my 14 onwards clutch basket from the states and have a couple of questions before i fit it,i read somewhere that you don't have to drain the oil to change it if the bike is on the sidestand,can this be done? i only ask as i have not long changed the oil and could do without changing it again if at all possible.
Do you need the clutch holding tool to undo the basket nut or could you just put the bike in gear and apply the rear brake?,finally there is a cast dimple in the new basket and i read somewhere on the forum (can't find it now) that it has to line up with something on the clutch plates,any ideas?
Any info appreciated.

 

[Dogdaze]

Side stand and you'll be fine. When you take the cover off, be careful as there are two dowels, top and bottom, make sure they do not drop into engine. Remove cover slowly as you may not damage the gasket so will be able to reuse it. As for the removal tool, cheap enough from fleabay at £13-16, looks like a visegrip plier, or a specific 'ring' wrench, as well as in gear.
There are dimples on the basket and you'll see them on the old one, the key is that the last plate goes on one over from the rest and sit on a ' ledge', just take everything off and lay down first of order of removal and then everything goes back in correct order. Watch out for the very fine retaining spring holding the last two plates in the basket, and when you take off the pushrod cap, make sure the rod stays in place or the bearing will fall out. It really is very easy, just take your time, and if you get the chance, re-read the clutch basket tutorial again.

 

[fraserdog]

Thanks for that,i've not got a gasket as yet as i'll get the cover off first and see if i need one,the bikes not in daily use so if i do end up needing one i can wait.The cheapest EBC tool i can find is circa £25 which is o.k. if i need it but it's seems a bit much just for a "one off job",if i can use the in gear and brake method i might give that a shot first.

 

[Dogdaze]

I would send you mine, but the postage kind of prohibits it..... but this is what I used:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Warrior-Clutch-Flywheel-Holding-Tool-For-Motorcycle-Bike-Motorbike-/371133883212?hash=item56694da34c:g:X7AAAOSwg3FUfQ5e

 

[fraserdog]

Thats a cheaper option and could possibly be used for other things.I might ask my local bike shop if i can borrow something as i know them quite well.

 

[EricV]

The nut is bugger all tight. 30mm impact socket and an impact wrench if you have air tools. You punch the stake point out first. I used the EBC clutch tool, but ended up resorting to the impact air wrench to get the nut loose.

Typically you can get away with re-using the nut once, but not twice. The gasket always stayed stuck to the engine or cover, (don't recall which), so didn't tear or need to be replaced. I still have that extra gasket, LOL.

 

[fraserdog]

I have an electric impact gun capable of 450nm so i can use that if needed,i bet there's loads of unused gaskets sitting in peoples garages but you can guarantee as i haven't bought one i will need it!

 

[Boris]

This is a job I have planned for the coming winter, please keeps us posted on how it goes ::008::

Thanks

 

[Checkswrecks]

For these situations I use a 1/2" breaker bar with about 4 ft of water pipe to extend it.


I haven't changed the clutch basket on a Tenere, but on some other bikes I've put a piece of thick (about 1/4") leather in the meshing of the gears on the back of the basket. It's soft enough to not hurt individual gear teeth.

 

[EricV]

From what I remember, it would be difficult to get a piece of leather to the gears. W/o the clutch basket tool to hold it secure, the breaker bar wasn't helping. With the EBC clutch tool, I still couldn't get the nut to break free even with a cheater bar extension on the 1/2" breaker bar. I ended up actually going and buying an impact wrench to get the nut loose. I had air tools in the past, but sold them with my large compressor some years ago. Thankfully the small compressor in the garage was enough to drive the impact wrench.

 

[OldRider]

I just held the basket by hand with a thick towel and hit it a lick with a 1/2 air impact.

 

[fraserdog]

Just bought one of these so should be sorted now.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XJR1200-95-98-XJR1300-99-12-Clutch-Basket-Holding-Removal-Tool-017-/311973657906?fits=UKM_Make%3AYamaha%7CUKM_Model%3AFJR&hash=item48a3143d32:g:U2QAAOSw~oFZ1PCx

 

[fraserdog]

Just bought one of these so should be sorted now.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XJR1200-95-98-XJR1300-99-12-Clutch-Basket-Holding-Removal-Tool-017-/311973657906?fits=UKM_Make%3AYamaha%7CUKM_Model%3AFJR&hash=item48a3143d32:g:U2QAAOSw~oFZ1PCx

Excuse my ignorance here,i received the above tool today,i can't see how the middle part of the tool will grip the splines as the clutch basket "fingers" have the ring around and i can't see how you can slide it down the gaps between the "fingers" to get it to locate on the clutch centre or am i missing something,i have not got the casing off yet so it might become clearer when i do?

 

[Dogdaze]

Once you open it up, you'll see. The basket has 'fingers' or spline that the tool will fit over. It almost looks like a turret wall of ye ole medieval castle, melud! Or let me know and I'll give you my mobile number if you want to discuss anything. ::008::

 

[fraserdog]

Cheers for that,i have the new basket in the box and have offered the tool up to it and it does locate in the "castellated" part of the basket but shouldn't the middle part of the tool engage on the clutch centre?,which is the part you have to stop rotating to undo the nut? as i thought it was the clutch center.

 

[Dogdaze]

It will, once you take of the clutch case (16? ) bolts, then there is a further 5 nuts that retain the diaphragm spring, once that is off then the nut will be seen......

 

[fraserdog]

I must sound like a right biffa,i am quite a competent mechanic and a toolmaker by trade but the bit i can't get my head round is that the way the clutch basket is cast the "castellations" have a cast ring around them which is stopping the new tool sliding down far enough for the inner part of the tool to engage with the inner clutch splines or that is what it looks like might happen.

 

[fraserdog]

Has anyone used the EBC type of clutch holding tool?

 

[Dogdaze]

I must sound like a right biffa,i am quite a competent mechanic and a toolmaker by trade but the bit i can't get my head round is that the way the clutch basket is cast the "castellations" have a cast ring around them which is stopping the new tool sliding down far enough for the inner part of the tool to engage with the inner clutch splines or that is what it looks like might happen.

It does not need to get far down the 'teeth' as the lever/ handle would not allow it to go further anyway because of the clutch housing. Trust.

 

[fraserdog]

Sounds good,i just had it in my mind that to hold it properly it would have to be at least half way down the basket as the nut it supposed to be so tight,won't be doing the job now for a month or so now due to other commitments ,typical got all the bits now but no time.