Clutch Springs
About Clutch Springs
Clutch springs press the plate stack together so the clutch can pass full engine power without slipping. They lose tension with use, and weak springs are a common reason for a slipping clutch. Riders shop here to restore clamping force, or to fit heavy-duty springs for harder use.
Springs are sold as kits or sets for a specific model, and all of them should be replaced together so the pressure stays even. Stiffer or heavy-duty springs add clamping force, but they also make the lever harder to pull, so choose a kit suited to your power and riding. The samples here are listed for models such as the CRF250R/RX, for Husqvarna and KTM, and for Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda in a mixed set. Some are called hi-temp or heavy duty, and some are listed as primary or secondary springs, so check which clutch a listing fits before you order. The service manual gives the minimum free length for stock springs, which you can measure with calipers.
Brands here include Jims, EPI, EBC, Drag Specialties and Barnett. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. Springs work with Clutch Plates & Discs, Clutch Baskets & Hubs and Complete Clutches & Kits, all part of Clutch Parts & Kits.
FAQs on clutch springs
Will stiffer clutch springs stop my clutch from slipping?
They add clamping force, so they can help when the springs have weakened or when more power is slipping a stock clutch. They will not fix worn plates or oil-soaked friction material, and they make the lever harder to pull. Check the plates first.
Should I replace clutch springs when I change the plates?
Check them. Springs lose tension over time, and weak springs can make new plates slip. Many riders fit a fresh spring set with new plates so the whole stack is renewed together. Measure the old springs against the service manual limit.
How do I measure a clutch spring?
Stand the spring on a flat surface and measure its free length with calipers, then compare the result to the minimum in your service manual. A shorter spring has lost tension. Measure every spring, and replace the whole set if any is below the limit.
Can I replace just one weak clutch spring?
It is better not to. Springs wear at similar rates, and one new spring beside tired ones gives uneven pressure on the plates. Replace the full set, which usually comes in a kit made for your model.
Do heavy-duty springs make the clutch lever harder to pull?
Yes. Stiffer springs clamp the plates harder, so more force is needed at the lever to release them. If lever effort is a concern, ask the spring maker how the kit compares with stock before you buy.
