Changing clutch plates VF1000R

Started to change my clutch plates.
First photo is the case bolts removed.

Clutch cover removed. Came off without removing the exhaust !! Yes!!
The gasket is stiil good too!! I hate getting parts for this HONDA.

OK... snap ring removed no problem.
But the nut is a @$*@#^$%&&& "N special nut that needs a special tool!
Dammit . There is no locking tab and a regular nut could have been used.


This is the CRAP I hate.
HONDA has caused me to have to make a tool or find a tool. The job COULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE JOB! Hear that HONDA!!
I am cussing now.

Any clues about where to get such a wrench???

Just think of the surprises that await the owner of a new HONDA 1200!!
Hope you are wealthy.

Well no one had the tool and the dealer...well forget about it.

So I made my own tool.
I used a piece of 1.5 inch steel tubing .125 thickness.
Hack saw the slots and then scored the parts to be removed with the hack saw and then bend (inwards) and break off the unwanted portions.
A little filing and sanding and weld on a nice long handle.
About 30 minutes of work.


I also made a tool similar to this for holding the transmission sprocket when changing the sprocket.
I do not need it anymore so if you want to make it easy on yourself ask me about it and you can have it for $20. and that includes the shipping.

I will probably replace that 25mm clutch nut with a regular hex nut.
It is just a metric fine thread nut.

Tomorrow I will see if this wrench will work.
Will report back.

 

The wrench worked and getting the nut off was easy.
Helps to have a tool made for the job.
First friction disk measured out at .150 and limit is .120 which means it is still good.
Now I will check the others and the spring also.
All the friction discs were good.
Spring was NO GOOD .165 and limit is .170
None of the metal plates were warped.

Now the queston is WILL HONDA have that spring washer????
Honda dealership says the part is $14.00 (very reasonable)
OK...Honda dealer says it was discontinues so I will try for a V65 Sabre 1100
clutch spring washer @$19.00

YES they can get it!!! I will take it.


Can you imagine...If I did not know better I would have to scrap my whole engine for my motorcycle unless I could get that $14.00 part !

Luckily I know that many sabre engine parts also fit the VF1000R.

 

You can get that center nut tool through Honda still. Luckily I bought one many moons ago.

Don't get your hopes up too soon - I don't think that Sabre diaphragm spring will work. I'd just put the original back in because it doesn't sound like it's out of spec that bad. My tolerance for such things goes way up in situations where parts are NLA like that.

 

The HONDA dealership told me that the spring IS interchangeable.
The spring height that I have is .165 and the minimum serviceable limit is .170
If the new friction disks I have ordered are thicker than .150 then with the tolerance stack up factor of 9 plates, then the spring will be strong enough.
I wanted to replace the friction plates just because they may have gotten hot and they are more than 20 years old.
The problem is the clutch was slipping.
All of the friction plates and the steel plates are full thickness.
My only thought is that if the spring from the V65 Sabre does not interchange(meaning HONDA dealer is wrong),
then my only option would be to add a shim or something.

In high gear if I accelerated the clutch would slip. Has to be fixed.
Hopefully the HONDA dealer did look up the interchangeability it their
interchange book and did not just lie to me.

 

That sounds like old clutch plates to me. I've been following your project and it appears as though the engine was sitting for some amount of time, possibly years. I've had known-good clutches slip in top gear after sitting like that. Just run it a little and they will come back to life. It sounds weird but it works.

I've worked on making a performance upgrade to that disc spring for the VF1000 clutches in the past. Based on the analyses I've done I can tell you that .005" won't effect anything. Even so, it will be interesting to see if the Sabre spring works.

 

YES...It could help other forum members that own the same engine.
I will report back on Wednesday.
If the clutch friction discs are any amount over .150 then it will help.
It won't take much.

I think you are right about those clutch plates too.
They look old .

 

The parts come on Wednesday so we will see what gives.

 

No.... it is not a progressive spring.
No dampening either.

 

Today the VF 1000R clutch friction plates arrived.
I measured them and new they are .151 and change.
The old ones were .150 (not much wear-almost none)
So that means 9 friction discs @ +.001 is at least .009 more and that makes up for the old spring being .005 under minimum.
Tomorrow I will pick up the new VF1100 spring. It arrived today at the dealership.
So we will see if that HONDA interchange manual is correct.
A serviceable spring is supposed to be .170 or more and I do not know what a new measures.
We will find out.
Stay tuned.

 

This is not a coil spring
It looks like this.

 

Some marine transmissions have 3 or 4 of these washers.
Thanks for the reference. I have that Machinery's Handbook.
Belleville washers thanks.

 

Picked up the washer/spring today.
They are the same. They ARE interchangeable.
Use the V65 1100 engine clutch part.
The new washer height is .175 NEW
The minimum is .170 Serviceable limit.
My old washer is .165


After putting the spring washer on cupped side facing inwards- meaning the bulging side facing out , put on the dished lock washer which has the words "OUTSIDE" printed on it. Then install the nut. Make sure the splines for the hub of the spring washer are started on the spline.
Then tighten the nut to 65-80 Ft. lbs
And finally put on the inner cover with bearing and snap ring.
Now the side case can be installed.

 

Buttoned it up and took it for a ride.
No dragging or locking up.
I think it was a smooth start because the package suggested that the plates be soaked in oil for about 4 hours.
Well guess what I actually followed the instructions!
Old dogs CAN learn new tricks.
The clutch worked absolutely perfect.
No slipping.
Power? ...Jeeeeezzzzzzzz thats what I'm talk'n about!!

The bike.

 

BTW do you know what edition of Machiery's Handbook you have.(What number)?