Barnett clutch plates.

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Dan1950 said:
You seem to be implying just the opposite of what the results from utilizing the soft aluminum Barnett plates as opposed to the harder steel backed OEM plates. While the hard OEM steel backed bronze plates my out last the softer Barnett plates, we are then relegating the clutch hub to an "expendable" item. Better to relace the barnett plates occasionally IMO. They are less expensive than clutch hubs and much easier to change.

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www.commandospecialties.com

Commmando Specialties

Commmando Specialties
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I have only replaced my clutch centre once in over 46 years of ownership and a hard life of riding with lots of miles clocked up, so how many clutch plates you expect to replace in the same time and in my younger days my Norton copped a canning with regular burn outs and dumping of the clutch and to still have the original clutch plates, my clutch centre was only replace 12 years ago for the first time with about 160k miles on the old one, not bad really, I think I only paid $75 for a new clutch centre, been a while ago.
Maybe I just have a freak of a Norton and just maybe patting it on the tank to thank it for a great day out has also helped.

Ashley
 
Dan1950 said:
You seem to be implying just the opposite of what the results from utilizing the soft aluminum Barnett plates as opposed to the harder steel backed OEM plates. While the hard OEM steel backed bronze plates my out last the softer Barnett plates, we are then relegating the clutch hub to an "expendable" item. Better to relace the barnett plates occasionally IMO. They are less expensive than clutch hubs and much easier to change.

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk

www.commandospecialties.com

Commmando Specialties

Commmando Specialties
www.commandospecialties.com
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Yes. This has always had Sureflex fiction plates.
Only the last three years of Commando production had hardened centers.
BC400B6D-55C1-4707-9416-3D19FD78715A.jpeg
 
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Dan1950 said:
What does that have to do with Barnett plates?
Click to expand...
If Sureflex which are fiber notch the hub…. The early 750 clutch centers were pretty soft. When Barnett plates came out there were a heck of a lot more 750s than 850s running.
 
Seems like the fibre ones would act like a grinder disc on the clutch centre?

But, IIRC these "solid fibre" ones actually have an aluminum core?
 
I like Barnet plates primarily cos they’re light and I believe that’s good, especially for the stock mainshaft and gearbox.

But they also work well, with plenty of grip, even for a 920 motor.

The fact that they’re kinder on the clutch centre is a bonus. I run a hard cNw centre and the Barnet plates, treating plates as consumables. I expect the centre to last forever.

You don’t get nuthin for nuthin. The idea that friction plates can last forever just seems counter intuitive to me. If something designed for friction can last forever, then it’s friction properties must surely be compromised?

Kinda reminds me of the Harley guys who boast about getting 30-40k out of their tyres! To me, that’s just proving they’re riding on none stick tyres, and I would much prefer to sacrifice some of that mileage for better grip and handling.

But, unto each his own.
 
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Fast Eddie said:
You don’t get nuthin for nuthin. The idea that friction plates can last forever just seems counter intuitive to me. If something designed for friction can last forever, then it’s friction properties must surely be compromised?
Click to expand...
Yer darn tootin'
You prompted me to go and clean my clutch - about due as it was 1500 miles(ish) since last one. Also checked the belt wasn't too tight (it wasn't!)
Took 30 minutes all up. The pic shows how much dust came out of the basket. The rest of the primary was clean.
A quick wipe of the plates and inside basket with brake cleaner and... Bernard's yer uncle!
The cNw friction plates are some aluminium alloy with bonded friction material - is this similar to Barnett?
Cheers

EDIT: After 9000 miles no damage to the clutch centre although the friction plates have slight burring of the splines. The outer basket splines are perfect as are the steel plates (obviously).
Clutch clean 1.JPGClutch clean 2.JPGClutch clean 3.JPGClutch clean 4.JPG
 
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robs ss said:
Yer darn tootin'
You prompted be to go and clean my clutch - about due as it was 1500 miles(ish) since last one. Also checked the belt wasn't too tight (it wasn't!)
Took 30 minutes all up. The pic shows how much dust came out of the basket. The rest of the primary was clean.
A quick wipe of the plates and inside basket with brake cleaner and... Bernard's yer uncle!
The cNw friction plates are some aluminium alloy with bonded friction material - is this similar to Barnett?
Cheers
View attachment 101130View attachment 101131View attachment 101132View attachment 101133
Click to expand...
AFAIK they are Barnet.
 
robs ss said:
Yer darn tootin'
You prompted me to go and clean my clutch - about due as it was 1500 miles(ish) since last one. Also checked the belt wasn't too tight (it wasn't!)
Took 30 minutes all up. The pic shows how much dust came out of the basket. The rest of the primary was clean.
A quick wipe of the plates and inside basket with brake cleaner and... Bernard's yer uncle!
The cNw friction plates are some aluminium alloy with bonded friction material - is this similar to Barnett?
Cheers

EDIT: After 9000 miles no damage to the clutch centre although the friction plates have slight burring of the splines. The outer basket splines are perfect as are the steel plates (obviously).
View attachment 101130View attachment 101131View attachment 101132View attachment 101133
Click to expand...
Rob,
I have the exact same set-up as yours and had the same results.With over 7,000 miles on the install I am very pleased.
Mike
 
gortnipper said:
The sureflex plates have a steel core.
Click to expand...
concours said:
No.
Click to expand...

The original 060749 Commando '4' friction plates were steel with bonded 'postage stamp' friction pads*.
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The later 061339 '4' friction plates were solid friction material*.
The latest replacement "solid fibre" AN 061339 plate (although currently out of stock) has an aluminium core and the Surflex plate is 122 M 8.
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*(Mintex DON 112 asbestos compound, I believe)

There are, or at least were other 'steel' SURflex (not sureflex) 4 and 5 fibre friction plate kits and it's the (I believe now discontinued) Surflex (122 M11) 5 fibre plate kit I currently have in my Commando.
Barnett clutch plates.

The Surflex Hi-Torque (4 & 5) sintered plate kits are also steel.
www.rgmnorton.co.uk

CLUTCH PLATE SINTERED BRONZE SPECIAL HI-TORQUE 3.2MM

063741 RGM NORTON SURFLEX CLUTCH PLATE
www.rgmnorton.co.uk
 
marinatlas said:
www.rgmnorton.co.uk

CLUTCH PLATE FIBRE 3.6MM

061339 122 M 8 SURFLEX CLUTCH PLATE
www.rgmnorton.co.uk
Those seem fibre with no aluminium ?
Click to expand...

Maybe a picture of an older Surflex fibre plate as the current fibre 4-friction plate 122 M 8 according to the Surflex list is: "Disco guarnito (anima in alluminio)" which Google translates as: "Garnished disc (aluminium core)".

Also:
www.accessnorton.com

Worn Surflex clutch plates

Hi All. Here´s a photo of one of the Surflex clutch plates from my MKIII. I´ve fitted a Norvil beltdrive a number of years ago, together with new clutch center and 4 new Surflex clutch plates. I guess the kit has less then 50.000 km/30.000 miles. I´d say a set of clutch plates should last a...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
bill said:
the new surflex plates are made on a core like the barrnets where as the original ones was a solid fiber. I try to buy up OLD surflex plates for that reason.
Click to expand...
 
Clutch centres - the early ones as above were not case hardened, the 850 versions were but were effectively as much use as a clutch centre made from creme brulee. Yet again, Norton engineers in the day truly clueless in what they had to deal with having seen the notching. No amount of case hardening would stop the notching if the underlying material was as soft as play-doh.
Just after I joined AN one of the first things i did was to get the centres made with a case hardening material that gives a tougher core to prevent the notching.
As for Barnett plates, they are available and cheap and easy to replace. We have some on test, but I suspect they will do their job well and last a sensible amount of miles.
 
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