slipper clutch quesion

[snarf]

I have been trying to explain the slipper clutch system that we have to my father.  It isnt working
Isnt the slipper clutch designed to help eliminate rear wheel hop and skip when down shifting from higher rpm's.
Maybe somebody could explain it to me in simple terms so I can pass it on to him.
Thanks

[Daytona_Mike]

Have your dad read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slipper_clutch

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

in simple terms, it automatically allows the clutch to slip when hard downshifts occur. The downshift applies torque coming from the rear wheel rather than the engine. The clutch has a ramp system that locks when torque is applied from the engine, but can unlock when the torque is applied from the rear wheel. hTH - steve

[toojeep4u]

So then as long as the slipper is adjusted properly, you can downshift at any speed and RPM?

[snarf]

So then as long as the slipper is adjusted properly, you can downshift at any speed and RPM?

Not on my bike LOL.  I can down shift a few gears (within reason), I can still bark the tire on my '86
That may be more the tire than the clutch

[jayke]

Go down too many gears at once on a C14 and it will step out too.  Slipper clutches only work so well. 

Do something stupid like go from 2nd to 1st when you think you went from 3rd to 2nd and it will pull the clutch lever right out of your hand as you back it in 

[Daytona_Mike]

The slipper is adjustable and can be made to slip very little and  not at all to  gearing down from 6th to first and not feel any engine braking. Stock settings seem  to be the best. I can tell you that a slipper clutch may have saved many of us from crashing while doing  very heavy engine braking (gearing down) just before entering  fast  or tight corners.

I do believe there are very few if any sport tourers that have slipper clutches and I am sure the C14 is the only  bike with an adjustable windshield and a slipper clutch and removable saddle bags.
  Kawasaki used  their engines from their fastest bikes at the time and put them into a Concours.

[nosaint7]

As delivered to us by mama "Kaw" our C10 "slipper" clutch is setup without a lot of slip.  The amount of slip is adjustable IF you are willing to get into the clutch.  I believe it requires exchanging one or more clutch plates with plates of a different thickness.  The only people I know who have ever messed with this kind of adjustment are "serious" track day riders.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

the amount of slip is set my the varous thickness steels. wand more slip, put in some thinner steels. 1mm on the stack keight makes alot of difference. HTH, Steve

[syntor]

the amount of slip is set my the varous thickness steels. wand more slip, put in some thinner steels. 1mm on the stack keight makes alot of difference. HTH, Steve

Just to clarify it for my poor addled brain:   

Less stack height = More Slip     

So an old bike may have more slip than a new one, or would the friction plate wear not be enough to make much difference??

[snarf]

all of this is very good info, thanks...

[Nemo]

Great info. I always wondered about these clutches.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

Yes, an older, more worn clutch would slip more than an new one if stack height is compromised. Steve

[redzgrider]

Heck Steve, an older, more worn clutch will slip more in both directions, regardless of stack height...

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

True, if it's compromised, but the way the slipper assy functions it lifts the pressure plate and relieves the clamping force. The lower the stack height, the less back torque it takes to lift the plate high enough for slippage to occur. Steve

[stevewfl]

Go down too many gears at once on a C14 and it will step out too.  Slipper clutches only work so well. 

Do something stupid like go from 2nd to 1st when you think you went from 3rd to 2nd and it will pull the clutch lever right out of your hand as you back it in 

+1 I agree, thats on any bike.  A slipper clutch drastically improves downshift performance over a regular clutch. However, its not a cure-all for poor downshifting techniques or being in the wrong gear at the wrong time.