RGM Hi Torque clutch plate conversion (2018)

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blaisestation

blaisestation

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Hello Gents,
I bought one of these (BRONZE CLUTCH CONVERSION, WITH 5 HI-TORQUE BRONZE PLATES )
a while ago from rgm to replace the original bronze plate´s that were in my bike (1974 mk2)
When i went to install them i came across the fact that these friction plates, are a lot thicker than the originals,Meaning that i could only fit 4 of them with an additional steel plate to reach the required stack height.
This was just before a rally so i left them out and put the original clutch pack back in.

So my question is has anybody else used these with only 4 friction plates and had any problems ? ie; with slipping etc ?
Or should i just put them in the too hard drawer,and leave the originals in.
I don´t want to know about the merits of barnett clutch plates,just if anyone has used the rgm kit.

Many Thanks
 
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I run a standard 4 x 5 bronze/steel standard plated clutch in my race bike and find it is more than capable of launching with out slippage off the start lines.
Only modification is 5 slots dremeled into each bronze pale both sides and a CNW clutch centre
Heavy though!!!
Regards Mike
 
Hi Mike,
I also have no real problems with the original clutch pack since going to a Maney belt drive.
Just had one of those looks good buy moments .
And when i went to fit it realised i couldn´t fit all the supplied plates .
just didn´t trust to try it with only four of the five plates without a test run before i left for the last rally.
 
blaisestation said:
When i went to install them i came across the fact that these friction plates, are a lot thicker than the originals,
Click to expand...

They list them as 3.2mm, the same as the original plates.
https://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/clutch-plate-sintered-bronze-special-hi-torque-3-2mm_851.htm

Could they have sent a set of 3.6mm plates by mistake?
https://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/clutch-plate-sintered-bronze-special-hi-torque-3-6mm_4589.htm

"PLEASE NOTE: THIS PLATE IS 3.6MM THICK AND WOULD BE IDEAL FOR THE EARLIER COMMANDO CLUTCH WITH THE THICK PRESSURE PLATE AND FOUR CLUTCH FRICTION PLATES."
 
Probably worth ringing RGM and asking them what the story is.
 
I use a single row primary chain with a Manx clutch behind my methanol-fuelled 850 motor - it never slips. I suggest a lot of guys probably run with insufficient clearance on their clutch adjustment and heat takes the pressure off the plate stack through expansion of the components.
 
Thanks Lab,
That explains a lot !
I didn´t see the others when i ordered the kit (it was a wee while ago)
I´ll get the micrometer out in the morning.
But I´m pretty sure they have sent the 3.6 instead of the 3.2 as advertised with the kit .
I´ll send Roger a email .
Cheers
 
Nigel, when I first built the race bike, I decided to use as much of the original parts as possible.
I did buy a Maney belt drive with a 40 mm belt, although used all other standard clutch parts.
As I haven't worn any of the clutch plates out, I haven't changed it !!!!
I will give the Barnett plates ago at some stage, also I like the way Comstock lightens his plates.
I have all winter to ponder those ideas.
Regards Mike
 
I didn’t buy the kit but I am using the 3.2 mm 063741 and the HS0746 plates and they fit fine. When I measured up my stack it was slightly smaller than I wanted but I have at least 10 k on them with no problems.
I agree with LAB that you might have the 3.6 mm friction plates. If that is the case and RGM sends your the thinner plates I suggest you measure every thing up and you may find that a combination of 3.6mm and 3.2mm might give you the “perfect” stack height. Then simply return the unused plates. I don’t remember my target number but I got it off of Dyno Dave’s site. Just a suggestion that you might find helpful.
Pete
 
I'm curious about why they provide one steel plate. It looks to have the center hole enlarged to match the contact surface on the friction plate, which to me means you would want all of them to be like that. It is not an easy job machining the centers out of these plates. As I have done it to, you guessed it, reduce weight!

Any chance you have a scale that could weigh those? I'd be curious about both the friction plate and the steel plate.
 
rvich said:
I'm curious about why they provide one steel plate. It looks to have the center hole enlarged to match the contact surface on the friction plate, which to me means you would want all of them to be like that.
Click to expand...

I think the idea is that it's actually a 4-plate to 5-plate conversion kit, as an original 5-plate kit wouldn't need the 063768 thin pressure plate either.
 
blaisestation said:
Hi Mike,
I also have no real problems with the original clutch pack since going to a Maney belt drive.
Click to expand...

As you said yourself, you are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.
By converting to belt drive, you have automatically converted your existing clutch to a high-torque clutch because there is no oil to reduce the friction coefficient. I would imagine that the torque capacity is now so high that you can afford to reduce it by adjusting the stack height to reduce the spring pressure and give yourself a lighter clutch, as I and others have done.

P.S. I think the term "high-torque" used in the RGM ad. could be a bit of an exaggeration. The way the ad. reads, it seems that it is only "high-torque" relative to a clutch that slips.
 
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Actually the lightest clutch pull is when the stack height is correct. That is when the diaphragm spring is slightly concave when the clutch lever is released and slightly convex when the lever is pulled.

The RGM high torque plates are the only plates I have found that will hold without slipping on my 924. Jim
 
Measured all the supplied friction plates this morning,and all five are 3.6 mm thick .

MFB said:
As you said yourself, you are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.
Click to expand...

MFB Thats not actually what i said ,and there was a problem that did exist (the 5 supplied clutch plates in the kit i bought did not fit).

Anyway all solved now.

Thanks Gents
 
comnoz said:
Actually the lightest clutch pull is when the stack height is correct. That is when the diaphragm spring is slightly concave when the clutch lever is released and slightly convex when the lever is pulled.

The RGM high torque plates are the only plates I have found that will hold without slipping on my 924. Jim
Click to expand...

The narrow plates do look like a good idea.

How do you lighten the plates Jim? I assume you probably punch some big holes in the unused part of the friction plates?
 
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