Clutch plate bluing
 

Opened up the clutch today as I'm having some intermittent problems, and discovered that 2 or 3 of the friction plates have bluing on them. It's not on the main part of the plate itself; it's around the outside edge and on the teeth - the middle section where it contacts the friction plates is fine.

Just wondering if this would be an issue at all. Bike's done about 29k, never had them changed before as far as I know.

Was nice to see the basket was in lovely condition, though :smt023

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

The blueing could be due to over-heating? Are the plates warped at all (im not sure how much "warping" would be required for a clutch plate to be faulty, it might not be detectable even by laying the plate down on something very flat like a pane of glass)?

what sort of problems have you been having?

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

Plates don't seem to be warped (lay them on a flat surface both sides up and they wouldn't rock at all either way).

Problems seem to be clutch drag and intermittent problems finding neutral. 99% of the time it's completely fine, then on one particular day the bike won't find neutral with the engine running, and it'll drag very slightly with the clutch in, and then the next day it'll be completely fine for a month or so.

Opened it up to take a look at the basket, as I've adjusted the worm-drive, have a new (and well lubricated) clutch cable on (done about 3k with it), cable is adjusted, chain tension is good and the chain's well lubricated, gear shift assembly is clean and the joints are greased, and the area behind the sprocket cover is clean.

I'm just a little confused by the location of the bluing - I'd have expected them to blue where the friction plates made contact, not in every area other than where it makes contact. If it makes no sense, I can open it up again tomorrow and get some pictures.

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

That blue colour is a minor surface effect of heating steel. I'd say it suggests the plates have been very hot, but long enough ago for the action of the clutch to wear the colouring off.

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

So reckon they're fine, then? Not really sure what else the problems I've having with creep/neutral could be, but don't really want to splash out, as if I were replacing the steels I'd probably do friction and springs at the same time

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

Could the bluing be due to hardening of the teeth during manufacture? :scratch:

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

Maybe hardened and tempered, blue would be quite soft. I tihnk too soft for where it is and the stress on it.

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

have you checked the cable ??? maybe its sticking

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

That would stop it from engaging, not the other way around.

Re: Clutch plate bluing
 

do you slip the clutch on hills?