As I have said before I am still running my original clutch plates that came from the factory and after 46+ years the only thing I have replaced in my stock clutch is the pressure plate and clutch centre and that's was just over 12 years ago, my clutch plates have 160k miles on them, I have never done stack height and can easily pull my clutch with one finger if I want to so a full hand it feels so light, I have used the bronze/steel plates when running a belt drive and dry primary, but when I did the clutch did bite a bit quicker but got use to that, I ran the belt for about 5 years before going back to chain.
My 850 has always had a light clutch from new so I really can't understand why so many have troubles with a heavy clutch but of course every bike is different.
I did use fibre plates once when I went belt drive and I had misplaced my orginial plates for about 1 year then I found where I had my original plates in a container of oil and a old primary chain sitting on top of them, I replaced the fibre plates when one split in half and showing wear, all I did to the original plates was give them a good clean and a light sand paper rub.
Since using ATF - F I have never had a sticking clutch and it's been so long since I have had the clutch plates out, well 12 + years ago when I replaced the clutch centre and pressure plate, it lost its spring and was flat.
I have never had GB oil in my primary just put grease on the clutch rod, very rarely adjust my clutch usually when the lock nut comes lose and I run a venell cable with a straight run and orginial levers.
I went back to chain primary after wearing a few belts, not the teeth but side wear and the belt trying to run off even with 2 adjusters and the pully guide shatted from the force this happened after 3 years running the belt without any problems, then the next 2 years it just kept wearing the sides of the belt.
To be honest running belt or chain I find no difference in running smooth between the both only the belt drive is lighter and maybe a little higher gearing but other than that nothing, but the chain has a bit more give and not needed to be perfect in the adjustments run, next time I replace the chain I will go with the chainman duplex chain.
I have been running a sealed clutch bearing for about 40 years and every so often will service/inspect the clutch and pull the bearing seals out give the bearing a good clean and inspection and repack if still good but they are cheap if it needs replacing.
Been just over 12 years since I done a pull down and inspection about 35k miles ago so next maintenance service will get a good pull down and clean.
Ashley
