a fool and his money...

The neverending project bike, my 2003 749 came home with me
today, w/new rearsets and an STM Evo 48-tooth slipper clutch.
The latter item was expensive, but quite amazing -- including
the tactile feedback in the lever when the slip mechanism is engaging
on downshift. I'm pretty good at the brake/clutch/blip/shift
procedure, but this skill may now be obsolete.

I was thinking about getting a monoposto subframe, there's one
on Ebay -- Brendan at Munroe said, "it's probably one of the ones
that cracks and fails." So, I'll live with the steel bipo subframe
unless or until a composite monocoque solo seat comes along.

 

mike,

could you expain what the slipper clutch does?

thanks,
steve r

 

It reduces the effects of engine braking when downshifting,
which reduces or eliminates rear wheel hop (which is a wee
bit disconcerting when entering a turn, since you're already
busy, probably). It reduces the chances of overrevving under
decelleration.

It also increases confidence in the wet.

See:

So how does a Ducati style slipper clutch work?

http://www.performancemotorcycleparts.com/tuning_pages/slipper_clutches.htm

 

The basic idea is a clutch with ramps, so if the wheel is turning more
force than the engine, the ramps open the clutch and effectively
disengage the clutch.

The one in the new Monster adds an additional trick: its a
"slipper/gripper" clutch: when the engine is putting more force, the
ramps close the clutch tighter, allowing the clutch to use lighter
springs (therefore a lighter level action) while stil being effective.

Bike has a good summary in the March issue.

 

Slips. When you release it on decel. If the rear tire speed is too great as
compared to the speed of the countershaft sprocket. Prevents locking the rear
tire.

 

It holds your slippers out of reach of the family dog.

 

I probably shouldn't comment because I have never ridden a bike with a
slipper clutch but I always like to slam it into first from high revs, chirp
the tires, bounce the back a bit, it's fun and helps clear the intersections
of errant pedestrians.

ps Many thanks to the impropmtu stunters and karters yesterday at a certain
eastside parking lot--quite a show. I was the clown in a pick-up driving
thru the axle-deep puddles everywhere. I had to close the sunroof! And
keep an eye out for the guy who cut in a clear bubble in his top-box and
gives his little doggie a taste of the two-wheeled lifestyle. That was one
happy dog.
Later!
AC

 

Yust yolking, aren't you?

Rich, Urban Biker