Clutch Damper and Dots on Friction Plates?

[Skip Irwin]

Although I try to understand mechanical things that I work on... I need some help with a couple things....

1. What is the purpose of the item described as 'damper' that is attached to the clutch cover. I do not see how it is engaged in any way to dampen anything.

2. What is the significance of the dots on the friction plates? I realize they are supposed to be placed in between the triangles on the clutch housing (based on member postings - not based on Yamaha service manual which says nothing about installation order or placement), but when I dissassembled mine (2013 FJR1300a) that is not the way I found them. Also, after cleaning up my friction plates, the red dots were no more (after oiling and wiping with a clean rag).

Thanks in advance.....

Skip

 

[RadioHowie]

1. The clutch damper reduces noise coming from the clutch cover. It's a noise insulator.

2. The dots are confusion inducers. And (apparently) they work perfectly.

 

[Mr. BR]

That "damper" is very common on the inside of clutch covers... I'm pretty sure it's simply a noise dampener...

Mr. BR

 

[HotRodZilla]

You're not the first one to find the important dots in random places. This is an indication of their insignificance.

 

[2DFlier]

Well there goes that theory...

I just picked up my '15 after a warranty repair for a shift shaft hanging up - you'd have to lift the shift lever between downshifts. Mine was a demo bike that sat around too much. In 15 months of demo service the bike only accumulated 200 miles, which is apparently long enough for rust to form and gum up the works.

They replaced the shift shaft (PN 1MC-18101-00-00), and cleaned up some other stuff including the clutch/plates.

I was hoping that damper was a rotating mass that would explain why the bike now vibrates in a way it did not before. I could feel the difference at idle but though maybe I was imagining things. But at speed (4k RPM / 75MPH) the mirrors used to be clear and the bars and seat calm. Now there's a pronounced buzz in the bars and seat and you can't see out the mirrors.

I called the dealer who said nothing in what was replaced or removed and reinstalled should have affected engine/trans vibration. Looking at the part break down I didn't see anything - except for that clutch cover damper.

Any ideas?

 

[escapefjrtist]

Do you have sliders or anything requiring removal to get to the clutch cover?

If yes, check the engine mount bolts and make sure they are installed and torqued according to the FSM...DAMHIK

--G

 

[2DFlier]

Do you have sliders or anything requiring removal to get to the clutch cover?
If yes, check the engine mount bolts and make sure they are installed and torqued according to the FSM...DAMHIK

--G

Thanks for the reply. Nope, no sliders or anything else. The bike is completely stock.