Primary Drive/Clutch - Buell 2002 P3 Service Manual

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PRIMARY DRIVE/CLUTCH

GENERAL
The purpose of the clutch is to smoothly disengage and
engage the engine from the rear wheel for starting, stopping
and shifting gears.
See Figure 6-19. The clutch is a wet, multiple-disc clutch with
five steel plates and five fiber (friction) plates stacked alter-
nately in the clutch shell. The order of plate assembly, from
inboard to outboard, is as follows:
St - F - St - F - St - F - St - F - St - F
(St = Steel plate, F = Fiber plate)
The fiber plates (clutch driving plates) are keyed to the clutch
shell, which is driven by the engine through the primary
chain. The steel plates (clutch driven plates) and the centrally
located spring plate (also a clutch driven plate) are keyed to
the clutch hub, which drives the rear wheel through the trans-
mission and secondary drive belt.
When the clutch is engaged (clutch lever released), the dia-
phragm spring applies strong inward force against the pres-
sure plate. The pressure plate then presses the clutch plates
together, allowing no slippage between the plates and caus-
ing the plates to turn as a single unit. The result is that the
rotational force of the clutch shell is fully transmitted through
the "locked" clutch plates to the clutch hub. As long as the
transmission is set in a forward gear, power from the engine
will be transmitted to the rear wheel.
When the clutch is disengaged (clutch lever pulled to left han-
dlebar grip), the pressure plate is pulled outward (by clutch
cable action) against the diaphragm spring, thereby com-
pressing the diaphragm spring. With the pressure plate
retracted, strong inward force no longer squeezes the clutch
plates together. The fiber plates are now free to rotate at a
different relative speed than that of the steel and spring
plates (i.e. – Slippage between the clutch plates occurs). The
result is that the rotational force of the clutch shell is no
longer fully transmitted through the "unlocked" clutch plates to
the clutch hub. The engine is free to rotate at a different
speed than the rear wheel.
SYMPTOM CAUSE (CHECK IN FOLLOWING ORDER)
Clutch slips. Incorrect clutch release adjustment.
Worn clutch plates.
Clutch drags. Incorrect clutch release adjustment.
Worn clutch release ramps or balls.
Warped clutch steel plates.
Blade worn or damaged clutch gear splines.
Overfilled primary.
6-14 2002 Buell P3: Drive/Transmission
7730
1
4
a0148x6x
1 2 6
Clutch
engaged
1. Steel Plate (5)
2. Fiber Plate (5)
3. Clutch Shell
4. Clutch Hub
5. Pressure Plate
6. Diaphragm Spring
Figure 6-19. Clutch Plates and Hub/Shell Assembly
REMEDY
Check and adjust clutch release mechanism.
Check service wear limits. Replace plates.
Check and adjust clutch release mechanism.
Replace release ramps and/or balls.
Replace clutch steel plates.
Replace clutch gear or hub as required.
Drain lubricant to correct level.
6.6
2
3
5 4 3
Clutch
disen-
gaged