RGM Anodized Aluminum Clutch Pressure Plates

APRRSV · Jan 10, 2021

Hello all,
Has anyone used the RGM anodized aluminum clutch pressure plates, either the full thickness or thin variation? These are RGM part #'s 050014 and 050014N. Links below:

ALUMINIUM HARD ANODISED CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE

MAX THICKNESS: .400" (TEETH .275")ALSO SEE, 050014N, 063768, AND 060745

www.rgmnorton.co.uk

HARD ANODISED ALUMINIUM ALLOY CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE, COMMANDO, THIN

COMMANDO CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE LIGHTWEIGHT ALLOY

www.rgmnorton.co.uk

My questions revolve around the statement by RGM that the anodized surface wears very quickly and will foul the friction plate.
Are these racing purpose only; good for a race or two?

What happens when the anodized surface wears away? Is the remaining non-anodized aluminum surface now unusable for purpose?

Thanks,
Ed

Seeley920 · Jan 10, 2021

They do tear up pretty quickly, even with surflex plates

I just machined them down a bit and added a plain plate behind them.

Never a problem after that

phippsy · Jan 11, 2021

I did the same , otherwise they wear very quick

Steves · Jan 11, 2021

Absolutely as Seeley920 and phippsy say. I dont have a lathe so I machined it down in the clutch itself. The surflex fibre plate did a good job. I just had to take a file to the outer edge and get rid of the lip that was left. Oh and I took an early bath at Snetterton whilst I was at it!

APRRSV · Jan 11, 2021

Thank you Seeley, Phippsy and Steves. I wonder though, doesn't adding an additional steel plate defeat the purpose of the aluminum pressure plate, i.e. lighter clutch?

Ed

Seeley920 · Jan 11, 2021

APRRSV said:
Thank you Seeley, Phippsy and Steves. I wonder though, doesn't adding an additional steel plate defeat the purpose of the aluminum pressure plate, i.e. lighter clutch?

Ed

No (lighter as in less weight) one plain plate plus the thinner aluminium one is considerably lighter than a standard pressure plate

acotrel · Jan 11, 2021

The Manx clutch has a plain steel plate behind the aluminium pressure plate.

ludwig · Jan 12, 2021

I use the thin alu pressure plate directly on the friction plates.
I occasionally do several hours of dirt road, where the clutch gets intensive use. I don't see excessive wear, but I also removed the anodized layer.

APRRSV · Jan 12, 2021

ludwig said:
I use the thin alu pressure plate directly on the friction plates.
I occasionally do several hours of dirt road, where the clutch gets intensive use. I don't see excessive wear, but I also removed the anodized layer.

Thank you Ludwig. Your experience with plain alu pressure plate begs the question: Why not substitute alu plates for all the steel plates?

Any thoughts from anyone?

Ed

Hortons Norton · Jan 12, 2021

ludwig said:
I use the thin alu pressure plate directly on the friction plates.
I occasionally do several hours of dirt road, where the clutch gets intensive use. I don't see excessive wear, but I also removed the anodized layer.

I finally received my RGM order, they were quick but USPS took three weeks. The friction plates they sent are solid fiber as they said, and the alloy pressure plate also has the anodized layer removed. Now just need to get the alloy clutch center ordered and away I go, well maybe not till spring that is. Thanks for all the info Ludwig it really helped me to make the decision to do so. I always wanted to lighten that heavy flywheel on the end of the mainshaft. Who do I sound like now?

Hortons Norton · Jan 12, 2021

APRRSV said:
Thank you Ludwig. Your experience with plain alu pressure plate begs the question: Why not substitute alu plates for all the steel plates?

Any thoughts from anyone?

Ed

I also wondered the same thing, I once saw alloy plain plates for sale on e-bay but they were used and didn't buy them. I thought they made them and could find new ones. Never could find them and still looking, maybe they don't last long?? Maybe they distort with the heat?? I really don't know.

APRRSV · Jan 13, 2021

Hortons Norton said:
I finally received my RGM order, they were quick but USPS took three weeks. The friction plates they sent are solid fiber as they said, and the alloy pressure plate also has the anodized layer removed. Now just need to get the alloy clutch center ordered and away I go, well maybe not till spring that is. Thanks for all the info Ludwig it really helped me to make the decision to do so. I always wanted to lighten that heavy flywheel on the end of the mainshaft. Who do I sound like now?

Hi Hortons,
Did RGM send you a thin alloy pressure plate with friction surface not anodized? I'm waiting for mine but expected to have to remove the anodizing myself.

Ed

Hortons Norton · Jan 13, 2021

Hello Ed, I purchased the thick one and yes they removed the anodizing from the plate side. I plan to run a steel plate just below it, or maybe try it without and just keep a close eye on it. Chuck.

APRRSV · Jan 13, 2021

Hortons Norton said:
Hello Ed, I purchased the thick one and yes they removed the anodizing from the plate side. I plan to run a steel plate just below it, or maybe try it without and just keep a close eye on it. Chuck.

Thanks Chuck,
Keep us posted as to whether you run into problems with clutch stack height if you add the additional steel plate with the standard thickness pressure plate. Hope it works well.

Ed