Honda VTX 1300 Clutch Issues

The VTX 1300 has a history of "clunky" shifting and clutch slippage issues especially when the engine is cold. Having had several 1300 clutches apart for diagnosis and repair I finally got around to getting some pictures taken of the parts that are the cause of this problem.

Most of the time people have replaced the clutch disc's and or steels and the pressure plate springs believing that they are the sole cause of the problem. Those parts when worn do indeed play a role in causing the problems, but a particular part that is overlooked and critical to smooth clutch operation is hidden behind the clutch center and sandwiched in between the clutch center boss.

These parts are 4 pairs of rubber dampers that cushion the torque affect between the engine crankshaft and the transmission main shaft. When these dampers get worn they allow too much movement between the clutch center and the clutch center boss, when this space gets taken up the clutch feels like it "slips" or the transmission "clunks" when engaging gears, especially going into 1st gear.

I have posted several pictures here to show you what I mean by "wear". The first pic shows 4 pairs of worn dampers on the left and 4 pairs of new ones on the right. If you look closely you can see the 3 little "bumps" on each damper are almost completely gone on the left side units. The ends of each damper is also rounded off which "shortens" each one causing the space increase between the clutch center and the clutch center boss. The next pics show where the dampers reside and finally how the clutch center boss fits into the dampers. I have also shown an 1800 clutch center on the right compared to the 1300 on the left, you can clearly see here how the 2 are different from each other.

The 1800 unit uses 3 springs instead of the rubber dampers to cushion the torque affect. This unit is also prone to some problems, the springs get weakened from all the heat cycles and heavy torque absorption, they also wear into the aluminum thereby reducing their affect. In some cases the springs break or even the rivets will break and cause clutch slippage or failure.

All the 1300 clutches I rebuild from now on will include all new rubber dampers and new main shaft lock nut. I will be keeping 4 pairs of these dampers and lock nut in my stock. This will also increase the cost of the clutch job, but will bring the unit back much closer to it's like new condition. This additional step also requires the use of 'special' tools and more labor time but will be well worth the time and cost.

As always if anyone has any questions or needs parts and service call me anytime @ 602-796-7076.

Taz


This pic shows worn units on left, new units on right.

This pic shows the clutch center & the clutch center boss without the dampers installed.




This pic shows the clutch center with the new dampers in place. You can see how the clutch center boss fits in between the dampers.

This pic shows the clutch center and clutch center boss assembled unit.

This pic shows the difference between the 1300 clutch center on the left using the dampers versus the 1800 clutch center on the right using springs.