Friction plate replacement time?

Soldato
Joined
4 May 2009
Posts
3,370
Location
Southampton
Clutch is slipping when cold. It used to be when pulling away a bit faster when cold but this morning it was slipping when I was really trying to be soft.

It makes a sound like a wooden chair being dragged across a hard surface if that makes sense.

Once warm you wouldn't know anything was wrong as it won't slip at all.

Are there any easy checks to be done with something like this or is it just hold me hands up and cough out for the friction plates?

The bike is 15 years old (SV650S) with 21K miles, however it all depends on what happened in those miles I suppose.

I don't really have the opportunity to do any in depth work myself as there isnt enough room in the garage and I can't leave it in pieces for weeks as I commute on it.
 
I know a guy that works at a bike garage through local meets. Going to take a ride down there at lunch in a bid to get the best possible price.


Failing that I'll see if a mate is willing to do it. But since his bike is in pieces and he hasn't put that back together I'm not sure about that option atm
 
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I've bitten the bullet and ordered the parts for it to be sorted next week.

£195 for both sets of plates and springs etc, gaskets, filter and oil and fitting
 
are the oil levels correct? seems strange for it to do it when cold

EDIT: 21k miles is not a lot at all tbh,clutch plates should last for ages,61k on mine so far

Oil level on the viewing window on engine case is exactly between high and low points. Oil was also changed when I bought the bike.

I was looking in the SV forum and others are reporting issues at 18K-27K so it's not unheard of. No Idea how its been treated to have this sort of life on a clutch though.
 
Does it also cover it getting progressively worse? I've done about 1K miles on it so far and the slipping now happens when cold and trying to be as gentle as poss.

I might have jumped the gun a little but I don't have the option of chancing it. At least I know the issue will be resolved :)
 
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