Anyone Using Silcone Spay on Clutches?

[Len Todd]

I have used silicone spray before each ride on my clutches for many years. On my old sleds, I would get at least 5000 miles between roller & weight replacments, etc., when my friends were rebuilding thier clutches at ~ 3000 miles. I have been doing this on my 04 Rx-1 and have a little over 4000 miles on it with no clutch problems. What are the thoughts regarding using silicone spray on the clutches?

 

[NY_Nytro]

I have always thought the use of any lubricants on the clutches is bad. I could be wrong. The only thing I have ever used is brake cleaner to wash out the belt dust in the primary.

 

[grader]

i would not reccomend spraying anything into the clutches as it just holds belt dust. use compressed air to blow out dust.

 

[ViperTurboPete]

According to Olav Aaen's Clutch Tuning Handbook, keep lube as far away as possible from your weights and rollers. The rollers are supposed to "roll" on your weight. Adding lube will cause them to eventually "slide" without rolling. This is what causes flat spots. The lube will pick up belt dust, etc. Yes the best thing is to use brake cleaner or something like that and blow it out with air.

Lubing your clutch shaft is fine, but don't use very much. I learned the hardway when I bought my 1990 Polaris Indy 500 SKS. I lubed always lubed the clutch and wore it out in no time.

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

i would not reccomend spraying anything into the clutches as it just holds belt dust. use compressed air to blow out dust.

ABSOLUTELY.................Acts Just Like A Magnet, DRY IS BEST.


Brake Cleaner is good for getting the CRUD off, then wash them in good HOT SOAPY WATER & Wipe the down with Isopropanol.

 

[Len Todd]

So, ... How many miles do RX clutches seem to go before you should expect to be into roller & weight replacement?

Like I said, in the past, I have already gone many miles on my RX without any problems. The only clutch wear problem I have had in 30 + years (with ACs) has been a weight that wore on one side becasue the bushing on the weight's bolt was worn through. I typicaly expected to get ~ 5K miles on those clutches before you see would see any problems, & I used silicone on them for as long as I can remember.

I do blow it out from time to time. But, it may be a good idea to clean it up with Brake Cleaner and water, just to see if there is any odd wear on the weights. Although, she still hits 10200 rpms (plus or minus 100) and stays right there.

 

[low slung]

Lubed my 94 AC puma with that snake-oil in the winter of 1996,two years later the crank-shaft broke in half.Keep the oil off the clutch.

 

[Highmiler]

Clutch lube

I have 22,000 miles on 03 RX-1 mountain and original weights, pins, and rollers. Always run dry.

 

[Charged RTX]

I don't think it will hurt as long as you keep it on the correct parts. The beauty of silicone spray is that it dries up and will not collect dust but the silicone stays and lubricates. Lots of people used to use dry grafite in there clutches for the same reason. I think it may help a little maybe not enough to justify the extra work.

 

[SLEDSTART]

For what little work it is, I just pull the clutches and clean them after each trip (or about every 1000 miles)
Once you have had them off and apart so many times, it only takes a half hour to do.
I agree that lubes will ony do one thing....attract dirt.