I have a Buell XB12R that I am using for track days and drags. When watching AMA superbike, they are always talking about clutch problems. My questions: What do I need to know about my clutch? What indicators will appear to let me know that failure is immenent? I like to fix things at home, not at the track. Are there any upgrades for the clutch? I plan on racing CCS next year in the Supersport and LW40 at least. Will probably only do drags to help my starts in CCS and to evaluate any mods (which will be few, givin 'stock' rules. Your thoughts will be highly appreciated!
Buell has excellent racer support, Try Buell's racing manager Henry Duga. email him at: henry.duga@buell.com or call 262-642-2986
He is not one of those corporate wigs that is too good to call you back.
AMA Superbike riders are dealing with huge HP and work the clutches pretty hard on a launch. If there are red-flags and restarts, most teams will replace the clutch every time.
The stock XB clutch is great. I usually get pretty good starts without abusing mine and have had my clutches last the better part of three seasons. You'll know it's time to replace the clutch plates when it starts slipping (and it's out of adjustment).
One nice benefit of the Buell powertrain is that the engine oil and clutch/trans fluid are different. That way your engine oil isn't getting sheared and broken down by the gears and your clutch/trans oil can be formulated specially for that duty.
Right on about Henry. He was Erik Buell's first employee, knows tons about the bikes and is a super nice guy.
I'll give Henry a call. Thanks alot for your input. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't need to haul around extra plates. Also that after wheellying off the start line and down the front straight while shifting into all gears (like that's going to happen) then three laps later I shift to fourth and nothings there wasn't a probability.
Probably looking at hearing minor slipping between gear changes, then going another 20 laps, then adjusting the clutch in the pits, then riding a few more races, then reclutching? ? ?
Is this kind of your thought/experience?
In the sixties the local HD dealer would have plates 'roasting' on the gas stove we all huddled around in the winter, then he would deglaze them and reinstall. I sure wish I hadn't taken tweenty years off from riding so I could have kept up with technology!
Sometimes, that old technology still works. There's always truth in it somwhere.
How about the H-D factory race teams leaving their new cylinders on top of the building on Juneau over winter time? I think that was called "seasoning".