Barnett Carbon Fiber Clutch Disks

[Lotsokids]

Background: Evidently I'm hard on clutches. I ride aggressively and nail the throttle at almost every stoplight. This, of course means I go through a lot of clutch disks and rear tires... about 1 each per year.

I just ordered a set of Barnett carbon fiber disks. Maybe they will last longer.
I know... they will certainly last longer if I stop riding so aggressively.
It's kind of like handing a prisoner a key, but he decides to just stay in jail.

 

[one2dmax]

Let's see. We've not had a lot of luck with the Barnett Frictions

 

[sdt354]

How about more clamping power? DD should do it, 2 new clutch springs with extra clamping strength. It won't be a picnic stopped in traffic, but you can put it in neutral while sitting.

 

[Lotsokids]

How about more clamping power? DD should do it, 2 new clutch springs with extra clamping strength. It won't be a picnic stopped in traffic, but you can put it in neutral while sitting.

I've done that on an FJ1200 a few years ago. I have big hands, but it was still difficult for a daily rider.

 

[sdt354]

I like the DD, it grabs and doesn't slip. The glazing on the steels is kept to a minimum. I did use two well used diaphragm springs, which makes the pull manageable. I'm a lefty so that makes it easier too. And at long lights, I'll kick her into neutral frequently.

 

[one2dmax]

DD works great even on big bore bikes

 

[Traumahawk]

I typically do the standard Yamaha disks, and DD mod. +1 for going into neutral for being stuck in traffic....etc.

 

[Itgoes]

I've heard very bad reports on the kevlar disks in a Gen 2. Multiple people put them in and took them out.......money and time wasted.

Factory disks are always a safe bet but you need to increase clamping pressure.
PCW sells a HD spring for the Gen 1 that works great. Not as hard to pull as the DD but clamps much better.
That's a proven solution to extend the life of your clutch as is the DD.

 

[Lotsokids]

PCW sells a HD spring for the Gen 1 that works great. Not as hard to pull as the DD but clamps much better.
That's a proven solution to extend the life of your clutch as is the DD.

PCW doesn't list them on their website. I tried calling them, but didn't go through.
So I purchased an EBC spring - they advertise 10% stronger than stock. I might still DD, not sure at this point.

 

[Itgoes]

Yeah, I saw that. PCW just a one man shop now-a-days.

EBC should be very similar in performance.

 

[[email protected]]

Never tried Barnett in my vmax but did in a CR5 and found they didn't give the longevity of OEM Honda parts.

DD holds like nobody's business. Almost too much IMO. I'd go with the stronger spring vs 2 OEM springs if I were to do it again.

Swapping out the clutch master cylinder to a 14mm unit, or a radial unit GREATLY helps the hand when doing the DD mod. A swap to a ZX14 unit reduced the pull to near stock effort.

 

[Fire-medic]

My experience w/Barnett friction discs goes-back to the early 1970's. I bought them to replace the clutch in my Kawasaki Mach III 500 three-cyl. two-stroke. Anyone who's ridden one knows about the phrase, "coming-on the pipe," when the piston porting and the two-stroke would hit the range where the bike would accelerate like nothing-else, stock. It was great for wheelies in the lower gears, and the upper gears too, if you have someone foolish-enough to accept a pillon-position there.

I installed a Barnett friction disc set. Yes, they worked well for grabbing, but they also would lock-up when the bike sat for any length of time. The first time you engaged gears, and released the clutch, the bike would stall-out because the clutch pack would still be stuck-together. I quickly realized that the action necessary was to hold the front brake-on while releasing the clutch, which would stall the engine, but release the clutch pack, so the clutch lever would work once-again. A minor inconvenience, and it wouldn't happen if you stalled the bike while riding it, and had to kick-start it immediately.

Of course, that was a long-time ago. For my Yamahas, I prefer the OEM clutch friction discs.

 

[THMAX98]

Boy you showing your age lol,i bet you wish you still had that old mach III,but like most i bet its crashed