Taming S4RS Clutch

20-08-2011, 08:10 PM

At 6000 miles my S4RS clutch basket is toast - started to get whiny, grabby & grindy. I've popped a pic up of the basket - I'm thinking of using it as a cheese grater. I've also added an Oberon slave &, as an experiment, removed two clutch springs. I now have a delightfully light & smooth clutch & gearbox. I'm curious if anyone else has run an S4RS with 4 springs successfully & if anyone can tell me what problems I might expect? I owe an apology to Ducati Glasgow BTW, as I was didn't believe the basket could be wrecked at so few miles - mine must have been made from butter. Sorry for incredulous response guys.

20-08-2011, 09:23 PM

I've got a 900ie, with two springs removed, 32,000 miles ~ no problems

20-08-2011, 09:33 PM

Crikey, that's promising! Thanks. I'll be on my 5th basket by then, so plates should be least of my worries.

Rally · 20-08-2011, 09:40 PM

It will slip under power if you use it to the full.

20-08-2011, 09:51 PM

I do tend to gas it- Is that in higher speed/gears or generally? I haven't had it out on the road yet, but around town/low gears haven't noticed any slip so far.

gary tompkins · 20-08-2011, 10:34 PM

Was that the original factory basket?

Rally · 20-08-2011, 10:58 PM

It will slip when the torque is at it's most, so under fast acceleration or in a high gear and pulling hard. The engine will rev and the forward motion will not be in sync.

20-08-2011, 11:03 PM

Pretty sure it is: bike only had 2000 miles when I got it. Any thoughts about the wear?

20-08-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rally

It will slip when the torque is at it's most, so under fast acceleration or in a high gear and pulling hard. The engine will rev and the forward motion will not be in sync.

Ok, will drop springs back in. Loving the light lever tho...

gary tompkins · 20-08-2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jezzamondo

Pretty sure it is: bike only had 2000 miles when I got it. Any thoughts about the wear?

Looks like basket is made of alloy on the S4RS - would explain the wear at low mileage

My 900 has a steel clutch basket which tends to last longer, but it is heavier and much noisier when worn

Rally · 21-08-2011, 05:17 AM

My S4Rs has 7800 miles on it and the basket shows a small amount of wear, but nothing like yours. I do blow mine out with an airline every 1000 miles or so, which does smooth out the action, maybe it also reduces the wear?
My clutch does get some abuse as well, from time to time...................

buzzbomb · 21-08-2011, 05:43 AM

My clutch does get some abuse as well, from time to time...................[/QUOTE]

Don't you mean all the time...

:

Sorry Alun I just couldn't resist...

22-08-2011, 08:53 AM

I've done 21,000 miles and on 2nd basket and plates - Had the basket and plates changed at 13,000 miles but they were completely shot. Got replacement Aluminium basket and plates, and at 21000 the wear is fine. It makes no odds whether you have steel or aluminium as long as you have like for like plates and basket. Makes a difference dropping the bike into neutral at lights though. And I concur with the others - its 6 springs for a reason!

J.P · 22-08-2011, 09:05 AM

That picture looks just like my basket did when it was replaced after 'spirited' riding, the power of that engine it just too much for it after a while.

LouSCannon · 22-08-2011, 10:50 AM

Same here, do a search for my thread and it wasn't that far behind...

20-08-2011, 10:34 PM	#6
gary tompkins 1/2 man - 1/2 pogo-stick Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dartford, Kent Bike: M900ie Posts: 7,241	Was that the original factory basket? __________________ GT Fully paid up member of the S.A.S. (Scottoiler Appreciation Society) 27,000 miles on original chain - and still going strong!

21-08-2011, 05:43 AM	#12
buzzbomb Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: widnes Bike: M1100s Posts: 780	My clutch does get some abuse as well, from time to time...................[/QUOTE] Don't you mean all the time...: Sorry Alun I just couldn't resist... Last edited by buzzbomb; 21-08-2011 at 05:46 AM..

22-08-2011, 09:05 AM	#14
J.P No more Monster... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 4,326	That picture looks just like my basket did when it was replaced after 'spirited' riding, the power of that engine it just too much for it after a while. __________________ J.JP ------------------------------- My Mum says, there's no such thing as Monsters.

22-08-2011, 10:50 AM	#15
LouSCannon These must fit a Monster? Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stockton Heath Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 1,036	Same here, do a search for my thread and it wasn't that far behind... __________________ "Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight."

20-08-2011, 09:23 PM	#2
Starter Sprag Guest Posts: n/a	I've got a 900ie, with two springs removed, 32,000 miles ~ no problems

20-08-2011, 09:33 PM	#3
jezzamondo Guest Posts: n/a	Crikey, that's promising! Thanks. I'll be on my 5th basket by then, so plates should be least of my worries.

20-08-2011, 09:40 PM	#4
Rally Taking life easy........ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wiltshire Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 1,969	It will slip under power if you use it to the full.

20-08-2011, 09:51 PM	#5
jezzamondo Guest Posts: n/a	I do tend to gas it- Is that in higher speed/gears or generally? I haven't had it out on the road yet, but around town/low gears haven't noticed any slip so far.

20-08-2011, 10:58 PM	#7
Rally Taking life easy........ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wiltshire Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 1,969	It will slip when the torque is at it's most, so under fast acceleration or in a high gear and pulling hard. The engine will rev and the forward motion will not be in sync.

20-08-2011, 11:03 PM	#8
jezzamondo Guest Posts: n/a	Pretty sure it is: bike only had 2000 miles when I got it. Any thoughts about the wear?

21-08-2011, 05:17 AM	#11
Rally Taking life easy........ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wiltshire Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 1,969	My S4Rs has 7800 miles on it and the basket shows a small amount of wear, but nothing like yours. I do blow mine out with an airline every 1000 miles or so, which does smooth out the action, maybe it also reduces the wear? My clutch does get some abuse as well, from time to time...................

22-08-2011, 08:53 AM	#13
cairojay Guest Posts: n/a	I've done 21,000 miles and on 2nd basket and plates - Had the basket and plates changed at 13,000 miles but they were completely shot. Got replacement Aluminium basket and plates, and at 21000 the wear is fine. It makes no odds whether you have steel or aluminium as long as you have like for like plates and basket. Makes a difference dropping the bike into neutral at lights though. And I concur with the others - its 6 springs for a reason!