Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: cochi on December 24, 2007, 07:32:34 pm

Title: Upgraded clutch pad with the needle bearings
Post by: cochi on December 24, 2007, 07:32:34 pm
  Hi  fellow Bulleteers it's Christmas Eve day and I'm still at work! My bank account is empty , but all presents have been purchased!  Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I wrote that my better half was going to let me put the Bullet in the living room. Well, I finally got the bike in and she's sitting in the living room alcove looking like she always belonged there.  I now need some advice. For my first project, I'm planning to install one of the clutch release pads with the needle bearings.  Has anyone had any experience with these and is there anything that I need to know? I have an 03 Classic and the procedure seems to be pretty straight forward . Thanks and you all have a great Holiday. cocchi :)
Title: Re: Upgraded clutch pad with the needle bearings
Post by: fredgold52 on December 26, 2007, 12:42:50 am
Sorry, not to be too dense, but what is a clutch release pad with needle bearings?

I found it in the parts catalog, but the description is a little thin.  What will this do for you?
Title: Re: Upgraded clutch pad with the needle bearings
Post by: Foggy_Auggie on December 26, 2007, 03:21:34 am
It's like the throwout bearing on a car or truck clutch.

regards, Foggy
Title: Re: Upgraded clutch pad with the needle bearings
Post by: dogbone on December 26, 2007, 06:17:33 pm
I think this would be a good upgrade, especially if you sit at traffic lights w/ the bike in gear(which I don't)
Title: Re: Upgraded clutch pad with the needle bearings
Post by: mrunderhill1975a on December 26, 2007, 07:15:41 pm
I would agree, its a throwout bearing to allow you to hold the clutch in at stop lights for a bit longer time than you would without it.  With the modern Kawyasake you can hold the clutch in indefinately. With the stock bullet, without this bearing you should hold the clutch in no more than 5 sec.  My question is how much extra time does the needle bearing allow?
Title: Re: Upgraded clutch pad with the needle bearings
Post by: cochi on December 27, 2007, 04:37:07 pm
Thanks for the feedback Foggy, Mrunderhill and Dogbone. I do alot of city driving and sometimes get stuck in traffic. I've learned the art of using the neutral finder and it's quite handy!   However, in stop and go traffic, at times I have to keep the clutch engaged. Figured the new  "clutch pad" would help. I did replace it yesterday and it took about a half an hour.   I truly love the simplicity of this bike!  Next project is a new 18 tooth counter shaft sprocket. :D