Clutch Slipping ALREADY!!

[bucfan11]

08 Nomad with 13500 miles on it. On my way to Daytona this morning...roll on the throttle at about 70mph and the clutch starts slipping! I thought the weak spring had been fixed in the 08's.

Any suggestions?

Rob

[cactusjack]

The clutch in my 2007 started slipping around 20,000 miles. Do what I did and replace the spring with a Barnett MT25 heavy duty spring. It's about a 2-hour job, mostly because of the stuff you have to remove to get the clutch cover off. It isn't hard work, just tedious. In addition to the spring, you'll need a new side cover gasket. If you do the work on the side stand, you won't lose more than a drop or two of oil.

http://www.mobbley.com/page/61866202

[toophun]

I think I take the record on this one. Used 05 with 3k on it, same problem as yours. Of course dealer said it was all in my head, or it had been abused etc.etc. So I rode it another 1000 mi. and then they said "oh oh" this clutch is toast! Had them pull the clutch, no wear, glazing, fibers, etc. They mic'd it for spec and that was fine too. Mic'd the spring and it was off .05. I bitched to Ma Kaw but to no avail. Put in a "meanie" and towed a trailer 2-up all over the Rockies this summer & not a lick of trouble. Save the time and grief, change it NOW. If it's under warranty make them do it. Ma Kaw has a long letter from me with about 50 citations from this site and others.

[ringadingh]

I replaced mine a couple years ago with a Meanstreak spring as well, its a big difference. I also used Judges washers in mine and love the positive feel I get now. Its not hard to do yourself, Gadgets sight has a good article on how to replace it.

[bucfan11]

Originally Posted by toophun

Save the time and grief, change it NOW. If it's under warranty make them do it. Ma Kaw has a long letter from me with about 50 citations from this site and others.

It is under warranty but I think I'll do it myself. I want the meanie spring. MaKaw will probably only put stock Nomad spring back on and I'll be right back where I am now in a year. I've never heard of the other "Heavy Duty" spring, anyone else recommend it?

[flash105]

Ringadingh, where can a man buys those at??????? Got part numbers on the spring and washers???

[ercbf]

Will this fix work for a 2000 Nomad also?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by bucfan11

It is under warranty but I think I'll do it myself. I want the meanie spring. MaKaw will probably only put stock Nomad spring back on and I'll be right back where I am now in a year. I've never heard of the other "Heavy Duty" spring, anyone else recommend it?

Clutches are wear items and aren't covered under warranty unless they are considered defective.

When mine started slipping, I ordered both a mean streak spring and a Barnett spring (that I recommended earlier). I used a micrometer to measure them both and went with the Barnett because it was thicker. Barnett is a well-known maker of performance bike parts, mostly for HD. They do make this spring as well as clutch plates for the Vulcans.

A couple of weeks after installing the Barnett spring, I towed a trailer up and over the Rocky Mountains going to/from Custer and the clutch performed superbly.

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by bucfan11

08 Nomad with 13500 miles on it. On my way to Daytona this morning...roll on the throttle at about 70mph and the clutch starts slipping! I thought the weak spring had been fixed in the 08's.

Any suggestions?

Rob

Rob, I been told over and over that these clutches should only be expected to go 13k-15k miles. On that note, my 2005 went the first 39,000 miles with no problem and I only changed it because of the upcoming trip to Custer and I didn't want to take chances like that.

The mechanic gave me all my used parts because they looked so good. He said "just in case."

. . . . ??? ??? ???

[VulcanE]

Bucfan, that is early for a clutch spring to be going out. I think starting with the '07 models, Kawi uses the same spring as the Meanie. One question though, are you using motorcycle oil? A friend of mine (Yami rider) wanted to try synthetics, and he put car oil in. His clutch started slipping after about 1000 miles. He switched to a motorcycle oil, and it took care of his slipping problem. If you do end up changing the spring (which is really a disc spring) go with the Barnett MT25 spring that CJ mentioned. Those folks do have a good reputation in clutches.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Bucfan, that is early for a clutch spring to be going out. I think starting with the '07 models, Kawi uses the same spring as the Meanie. One question though, are you using motorcycle oil? A friend of mine (Yami rider) wanted to try synthetics, and he put car oil in. His clutch started slipping after about 1000 miles. He switched to a motorcycle oil, and it took care of his slipping problem. If you do end up changing the spring (which is really a disc spring) go with the Barnett MT25 spring that CJ mentioned. Those folks do have a good reputation in clutches.

I thought that was true about the meanie spring being used in Nomads since 2007, however the spring I took out of my bike didn't look like the meanie spring I ordered. Just an observation.

[Scoot]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I replaced mine a couple years ago with a Meanstreak spring as well, its a big difference. I also used Judges washers in mine and love the positive feel I get now. Its not hard to do yourself, Gadgets sight has a good article on how to replace it.

Same here

[toophun]

CJ's right about the warranty (I was pushing it due to a defective spring, still didn't help). Although they deny it, you can find a lot of simular cases.

They have 2 diff. part #'s on that spring & have been told it is different. I think Judges' contact info is still on Gadget's site. It sometimes takes him awhile to get back to you. The Barnett is an excellent option as well.

[ercbf]

Originally Posted by ercbf(Eric)

Will this fix work for a 2000 Nomad also?

Nevermind, found the answer.

[ringadingh]

This is the email address I have for JUDGE;
rcoglesby56@bellsouth.net
Ive heard he's a hard guy to reach sometimes, I wonder if Chuckster has, or could make up a pair of washers.