Barnett clutch opinions?

[Jeepermc]

Hi all- I read a thread recently about the materials used by barnett in their fibers can and will cause damage in 4 stroke engines vs oem fibers. http://forums.atvconnection.com/yamaha/71377-raptor-clutch-s.html
This thread is from 2002. I just bought a white brothers kit made with Barnett components for my 300EX and now I don't know if I should install it? I don't want to risk wasting the motor in my 300 over clutch materials. Do any of you guys agree or disagree with this thread? Any real world experience with a barnett clutch in a 4 stroke?

Thanks

[NINJA]

That swytak guy is an effing moron! He does not know what he's talking about. I've been doing this for 13 years and not one single time have I seen a Barnett brand clutch kit cause any sort of harm to an engine. I've been using Barnett clutch kits in my own machines for over 17 years, no problems with them ever. Now EBC on the other hand.....

[jb2wheels]

I used Barnett clutches in a couple of Suzuki GS motorcycles I had. Lotsa miles on them - no issues. I mean like 20k+ miles.

The springs on both were super strong though. ON the GS650, I ended up using 1/2 stock springs + 1/2 Barnett.

Never had to put a clutch in an ATC though.

[Jeepermc]

This will be my first clutch job. I figured I'd upgrade but then I read that thread I started 2nd guessing myself. Keep in mind the 2 strokes don't have this problem (if there is one to begin with)...Only 4 strokes..

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I have a Hinson basket and pressure plate in my R and they stated in the paperwork that using carbon fiber clutch components such as Barnett would cuase damage and void the warrantee on the basket and pressure plate. It said to use ONLY non-synthetic clutch plates. I have a Vesrah kit in mine and its working quite well. I make sure and change my tranny oil every 10-15 hours of operation. Clutch plates are alot cheaper to replace than that nice Hinson basket and pressure plate. I dont know why Hinson doesnt like carbon fiber clutch plates, all i know is it was clear that using them would void the warrantee, so I guess maybe they know a little something more about their products than I do. Ill trust them on that. I have no opinion for or against using Barnett components on stock clutches....

[beets442]

I make sure to soak my fibers for a few hours before install and occasionally check them for cracks if I've been totally beating it. I like to use Barnett springs with OEM or Vesrah fibers.

[wisconsinite]

Now EBC on the other hand.....

:wondering any chance you could clarify? i just put an ebc clutch kit in my tri z. so far it's working great, but is there something i should be on the watch for? :(

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Yes, cheap junk............ EBC makes cheap brake shoes/pads and clutches, I will not use them myself.

I have had nothing but success with Barnett, excellent OEM equivalent clutch. I don't believe any of mine are carbon fiber so there is no basket issue......

[wisconsinite]

bummer. guess i'll keep that i mind when the ebc goes out. thanks.

[Mondexbrute]

Barnett clutchs are the best there is! I have owned over 20 atvs/atcs & have installed a Barnett Clutch in almost all of them & never had an issues!

[Vealmonkey]

I run Barnetts in all my street bikes. I'm going to run barnett in my 350x project. Hard to beat. I've run Barnett clutches wet and dry.

[NINJA]

:wondering any chance you could clarify? i just put an ebc clutch kit in my tri z. so far it's working great, but is there something i should be on the watch for? :(

Steve is right, they're cheap and junk. Last year one of our riders burnt up his oem clutch pack at the race. All we had at the shop was an EBC clutch pack hanging on the wall. I soaked the fibers overnight in oil. I installed it early in the morning and burned it in so it would be ready for the race in a couple hours. I noticed the steels were not steel but aluminum! Oh well, it's supposed to be designed for racing right? First moto of the day and our rider comes back and says the clutch is gone! Sure enough it's slipping horribly and the motor doesn't sound happy anymore.
When I pulled the clutch cover, there's chunks of aluminum plate everywhere! That motor was effing toasted from it! We're talking crank, cams, and shift forks. EBC refused to work with us on warranty.
This year a guy brought in a NINJA ZX7R to get the clutch rebuilt. He brings in his own EBC Street Racer clutch pack for the install. I installed it because that's what he wanted. The steels in the kit all mic'd out at 1.92mm. The oem Kawi steels mic'd out at 2.21 and one at 2.6mm. EBC said it would be fine on the phone. Now realize that the clutch pack stack height in the EBC kit came out to almost 2.5 mm short, that is a lot! Once the bike hit 6000 RPM the clutch would slip like you pulled the lever all the way in. I talked to EBC and they wouldn't honor the warranty, AGAIN! So I installed all oem steels and used the EBC frictions. AMAZING! now the clutch worked properly.
Those are only two instances, we've had plenty more.

I'm also going to be frank when I say Hinson clutch baskets are a waste of money. I've replaced quite a few with deep grooves worn into their ears, one had only one season on it. Billet-Proof my ass!

[Jeepermc]

Thanks guys- Keep responding please. Mine is not a carbon fiber kit I don't think so I shouldn't have anything to worry about there.. I'll be using the stock basket and pressure plate with the Barnett Steels, fibers, and springs.

[Qdude79]

Not to thread jack, but is it wise to replace the basket while you're in there, for good measure, or just if there's damage?

[Jeepermc]

Good question- One I can't answer though as this will be my first clutch...I was going to use my OEM stuff over again providing everything checked out.

[NINJA]

Not to thread jack, but is it wise to replace the basket while you're in there, for good measure, or just if there's damage?
It's an expensive part, stock or OEM. Why replace something if it isn't broke? If the ears have deep grooves in them, if spring towers are stripped or broken off, etc, then it's time to replace the basket. Stock baskets on most Hondas are extremely durable, my 85R is still running strong on it's stock basket.

[tecat-z]

Real simple guys. Oem is superior to anything... You can get away with aftermarket steels, but i NEVER recommend anything but oem fibers regardless of application. Nothing else takes long term abuse, and is as forgiving as an oem clutch pack.

[NINJA]

Here's something I bet many of you don't know. Vesrah manufactures many of the OEM gaskets and friction plates for the big four Jap brands.
I disagree about all OEM being superior to aftermarket. For example: Suzuki DRZ400's are known to have stator issues stock. Replace that OEM stator with any of the aftermarket stators and it is superior. What about OEM KX250F fork seals? What about OEM Polaris 800 twin snowmobile cranks? What about OEM Tecate flywheels? What about OEM 250R.....oh wait......:p

[nstyle73]

Depends on if you are racing or just riding. If your basket doesn't have any grooves or visible signs of damage, its probably fine. Racing requires you to worry about heat cycling and metal fatique. I have had a Barnett CF clutch in two streetbikes that I put about 20K miles on each and haven't had a problem. Never used one in an ATV.

[Bryan Raffa]

I wont use Barnett fibers anymore,, Has anyone told you aluminum on aluminum dont match... they Gall each other.. Remember what happend to Ronnies alum water pumps on a alum case????????????? You guys are putting these soft plates in 30 year old worn out clutch baskets.. and they Just chew the crap out of them...I change my oil every race.. and nothing but alum shaveings in the oil. JUNK IMO!

[Kale]

What about Redline fibers? Are they any good?

[Tuff]

I just ordered Vesrah friction plates for my 200E clutch. I hope I have not made a mistake.

[WIkid500]

I just ordered Vesrah friction plates for my 200E clutch. I hope I have not made a mistake.


You didn't. I have been running Vesrah plates in my 200 and beating the piss out of it for the last 2 years with no problems. I'm still running stock steel plates.

[Tuff]

You didn't. I have been running Vesrah plates in my 200 and beating the piss out of it for the last 2 years with no problems. I'm still running stock steel plates.thanks! I am only replacing the friction plates. the stock metal plates are perfectly flat and the springs are excellent.


on the bold, that's the only way to fly! :beer

[ctbale]

Vesrah clutch plates, valves, gaskets ... you really cant buy a better product, Vesrah = Quality.