View Full Version : Transperant clutch cover
I've seen this transperant clutch cover on an American SV site and think it's real cool! Just have got to get one of those! Any ideas guys? Have you ever seen this sort of thing on an SV? Looking closely at it reveals thats its not a simple mod. The filler cap seems to be flush and moved up from the original position. To do this mod on a stock cover I'm thinking that first you've got to fill in with welding the holes left over from the filler removal and then re-drill a new filler hole. This is done so that you end up with a nice round plexiglass area for looking at the clutch. I'm not so sure that the engne is filled with oil in this picture though as the sv has a wet clutch. Still a great mod though. Something I've always wanted, reminds me of the ducati monster a friend had some time ago. It had the same mod and looked so mechanical. Nice to see parts working.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/zippytls/Herzuki%20Pictures/DSCF0002.jpg
How much and where from?
Looks cool, saw a lot of them today at Big CC. But then again I saw about 50 odd turbocharged bikes too! :)
How much and where from?
Looks cool, saw a lot of them today at Big CC. But then again I saw about 50 odd turbocharged bikes too! :)
That's what I'm trying to find out pal! The post from where I got the picture is not responding! It's been a while now but no reply.
Mmmmm, a nekkid clutch. That looks kinda mechanically kinky.
I like it. :twisted:
philipMac
29-07-06, 09:55 PM
Oh yes please Sir.
Something about this is very appealing to me. Nice find Zunkus.
*waits patiently in line for details* :P
The problem is, the SV's clutch is wet, not dry. So that lovely clear appearance will look all brown and yukky as soon as you start the engine up ;).
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There's always one that just HAS to come along and ruin it for everyone else. ;)
I bet you went around telling your friends Santa wasn't real! :)
He ISN'T??? :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol:
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The problem is, the SV's clutch is wet, not dry. So that lovely clear appearance will look all brown and yukky as soon as you start the engine up ;).
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All the better reason to change that oil mate!
I still think it'll look great.
Any ideas how it could be done?
A couple of years ago someone was going to make a batch in the US if I remember correctly. They were frighteningly expensive I think.
Try SVRider.com where'll you'll probably get the answers you need, as I've not heard of anyone on the UK with one — certainly hasn't come up on this site anyway.
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RingDing
30-07-06, 10:21 AM
I've got this mod done on my LC. Very bling, and appeals to the 'how's that work' mentality I have. Chap called Nigel at NKRacing did mine. He specialisies in LC's but doing an SV wouldn't be beyond his capabilities. Do a google for NKRacing and ask him to quote.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/PaulDuley/HPIM1272.jpg
the white rabbit
30-07-06, 10:23 AM
I've got this mod done on my LC. Very bling, and appeals to the 'how's that work' mentality I have. Chap called Nigel at NKRacing did mine. He specialisies in LC's but doing an SV wouldn't be beyond his capabilities. Do a google for NKRacing and ask him to quote.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/PaulDuley/HPIM1272.jpg
That oil in there looks a little milky?
RingDing
30-07-06, 10:31 AM
Yeah, it was old gearbox oil. It's not a leak from the waterpump though ( a common LC failing), more a symptom of too many short journeys. The condensation that builds up in the crackcases makes the oil a bit icky (technical term that!). Used to happen on my GSX600F a lot. Poor LC hasn't had enough runs out this year and needs a bit of attention!
A gut on tlplanet makes them for the TL, might be worth investigating
I started making one last winter. It's really not that difficult.
I'll have to dig it out the shed and get it on at some point. I just wanted the bike back on the road at the time so spent my time on other stuff.
That one in the top picture is not a modded SV clutch cover, it's a one off build.
You can buy a slightly different design from somewhere, I'll see if I can find the website.....
northwind
30-07-06, 03:37 PM
I'm not so sure that the engne is filled with oil in this picture though as the sv has a wet clutch.
It does, but the sump's below that level- you can remove the cover without leakage.
A tip for anyone doing one themselves.
Having worked in engine development for **years :oops: I've done this sort of thing countless times (examining oiling of valvetrains, breather separators etc).
With the temps and oil, you really need to use polycarbonate, trade names such as Lexan. It's good for 130C continuous, so will cope with most normal road use.
"Perspex" (Plexiglass, Diakon etc) is PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate or often just "acrylic") and has a service temp of only 80C. You'll get away with it for a while, but it'll become brittle and probably eventually crack. Don't even try the styrenes or PVC.
Polycarb is more expensive (as you'd expect :roll: ).
"O" ring seals look nice but mean machining grooves usually. You can safely use a good RTV silicone sealant (preferably black IMO), it's suggested that you chamfer the inner edge of the part you're putting the window into, maybe 3-4mm at 45deg, such that it forms a groove for the silicone to form it's own "O" ring in effect. It really needs this section to be strong/flexible enough to maintain a seal reliably.
This is the design feature developed and recommended by all the big sealant suppliers (Dow Corning et al).
Real nice info there embee. Thanks mate.
Is polycarbonate as clear (transparent) as the other materials?
Would you do this mod on your bike?
That'll give you practice to do ours then :)
Real nice info there embee. Thanks mate.
no probs
Is polycarbonate as clear (transparent) as the other materials?
yes
Would you do this mod on your bike?
no
That'll give you practice to do ours then :)
not at my rates :wink:
My 2 bobs worth on the "Brown and yucky" downside.....
Can't you add trace dye like we have at work to give you a nice
"ooo that matches my leathers and paint" kind of girly co-ordinated feel :wink:
Cheers
Oh yes, one other tip.
When drilling plastics you usually really need a zero top rake angle drill-bit. You can do this by hand stoning a normal twist drill, parallel to the drill on the front cutting edge. It turns it into a "scraper" rather than a wedge cutter so it reduces the grab when breaking through, and less likely to crack the plastic.
Also chamfer the edges of the holes generously with a countersink (or even a bigger drill-bit) to reduce the stress at the corner due to bending when tightening the screws so it's less likely to crack.
Great stuff embee! You should write a book!
I make my own tools sometimes and am aware of the problem you brought up. I once bevelled in the front cutting edges and ended up with a center point and two scraping edges. It worked a treat. One must be careful not to overtighten as you said. And why wouldn't you do this cool looking mod when you've got the expertise and tools for the job?
As far as I remember you could get these covers off some chap on ebay in germany. But I have seen any for a couple of years.
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