Average mileage on Valk clutch

[Old Geezer Richard]

I pull a trailer and ride two up alot in the summer .... no slipping on my Fat Lady but  I was wondering would pulling a trailer shorten the life of my clutch ..... I don't ride the clutch at all and it still grabs good .... if my clutch does go out  after awhile are after market worth it or stock original ...... Thanks Old Geezer Richard

[six2go #152]

Geezer: I think "clutch mileage" is a very variable thing. Many on this board don't give their clutches a second thought. I didn't either until last week. Now my Valk is in the shop getting a new one. I have about 90,000 miles on the Valk & it has mostly been ridden like a Wing. If I get 90,000 out of the new clutch, I'll be happy.

[Valker]

Many drag strip passes, slow races, and heavy loads on mine. 107,000 and so far, so good. I pulled a trailer on my 81 Wing and it still had the original clutch at 98,000 when I traded it.

[3W-lonerider]

i got 113,000 out of my clutch..and this is a trike also pulling a trailer.

[LadyDraco]

I have heard some needed replacing  at 60k.And some at 35k ....
  Mine lasted till 122k on a Valk that was triked most of it's life ...
And everyone knows how much I baby my Valks 
That pulled a heavy HotDog cart for 3 yrs...
      My other Valk has 95k  on it ... The clutch is fine on it...
We have other Valks with 100+K and still going strong...

The Valk that had 122k on it never slipped. Or missed a beat ..
The day it went , I shut the bike off had dinner with a bunch of buddies,
Got back on the bike pulled the clutch in and it felt funny...
Rode it around the parking lot , Knew something wasn't right , just didn't know what ...
Limped it 5 miles ... It was toast.... Had to get a trailer to bring it home...Long 6 hour ride on the back of Highbinders bike..
The inner clutch and outer clutch basket, had to be replaced... To damaged...
Here's a link to the work....

Tracy

http://www.far-riders.com/albums/thumbnails.php?album=68


   

[Old Geezer Richard]

Hey Six to Go , are you using the oem clutch plates or are you going with an after market brand ..... or does it matter .... just wondering ! like I said my Old Fat Lady is still grabbing and pulling  with 62,000 on the clock .... Thank you all for the info and good hearing from ya Tracy .... I was just wondering about the wear and tear on the clutch when pulling a trailer .......       Thanks Old Geezer Richard

[LadyDraco]

Richard...  Howdy     After my post the laptop locks right ... 
I went with all Honda plates in mine..... It really wasn't hard to do it ......
Ya just need the tools... And the Shop manual...
After all it went a good long time.... And I didn't add the extra spring as some have done....
    I now have 14k on this new clutch... 

Tracy

[R J]

MGM has had 2 clutches put in.

1st one went at about 130,000 and I went with the Barnett setup.................

I replaced that clutch with EOM parts at 209,000 I think it was.

Currently 241,000 and change.    During MGM's lifetime he pulled several different trailers.  A home made Stage Coach, a Bushtec, a couple of other factory built trailers.......

MGM has pulled a trailer in all of the lower 48 states some time or another...........  The home made trailer pulled the best.



Here it is hanging off the VW Trike I had for awhile..........

[six2go #152]

Hey Six to Go , are you using the oem clutch plates or are you going with an after market brand ..... or does it matter .... just wondering ! like I said my Old Fat Lady is still grabbing and pulling  with 62,000 on the clock .... Thank you all for the info and good hearing from ya Tracy .... I was just wondering about the wear and tear on the clutch when pulling a trailer .......       Thanks Old Geezer Richard

Richard, Since I am having my clutch "fixed" at my dealer, I'm sure all the parts will be OEM.

[Tropic traveler]

90,000+ no slipping at all.
Did wear out the little round bushing in the clutch lever at 80,000+ however.

[DFragn]

My damper plate rivets failed at 55k. Friction plates were in good condition. I would of thought if I were hard on the clutch the friction plates would have shown more wear. I didn't mic the friction plates but to 'my' naked eye they only looked ever-so-slightly worn to the new replacements. Then again they're not so beefy to begin with, but seem to go 100k + -.