Clutch Baskets & Hubs
About Clutch Baskets & Hubs
The clutch basket is the drum the engine turns through the primary drive, and the inner hub carries power on to the gearbox shaft. The friction plates engage slots in the basket and the steel plates engage the hub. Riders shop here for a basket whose slots have worn into notches, a rattling or cracked basket, a worn hub, or an upgrade.
Baskets and hubs are specific to the engine, so the samples here are listed for Twin Cam and M8 Harley-Davidson models, the Suzuki RM125, and Kawasaki, Yamaha, Husqvarna and KTM machines. Some assemblies are sold for cable or hydraulic actuation, and one basket is listed with lockup, so match the one on your machine. Notching shows as grooves in the basket fingers where the plate tabs sit, and deep grooves can make plates bind and the clutch drag. When you fit a new basket, plan on new plates and springs, and replace the gaskets and oil that go with a clutch job.
Brands here include Drag Specialties, Barnett, Prox, Trask and Wiseco. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. The parts that go with a basket are in Clutch Plates & Discs, Clutch Springs, Complete Clutches & Kits and Clutch Covers, all within Clutch Parts & Kits.
FAQs on clutch baskets and hubs
What is the difference between a clutch basket and a clutch hub?
The clutch basket is the outer drum that the engine drives, and the friction plates engage slots in it. The inner clutch hub sits inside and is splined to the gearbox input shaft, and the steel plates engage the hub. Power passes between them when the plates are clamped together.
How can I spot a worn clutch basket?
Look for visible grooves in the basket fingers where the plate tabs sit, rattling from the clutch area, a clutch that drags with the lever pulled, or one that grabs. Deep notches that catch the plates mean the basket needs replacing.
Do I have to replace the basket when I replace clutch plates?
Not always. Inspect the basket fingers and the hub slots when the clutch is open. Light marks are normal, but deep notches that catch the plates mean the basket or hub should be replaced, or the new plates will not move freely.
What else should I check while the clutch is apart?
Measure the friction plates, check the steel plates for warping and bluing, measure the springs, and look at the pressure plate and the cover gasket. Replace anything outside the limits in the service manual before you put it back together.
How tight should the clutch hub nut be?
Tighten it to the torque in the service manual for your model, using a holding tool to keep the hub from turning. Some bikes also call for a locking washer or thread locker, so follow the manual's steps in order.
