Unique rider needs clutch advice

[shogun00]

I thought I would post an update to my clutch situation. The bike at about 70 miles on it when the clutch went out. The plates were shot and the dealer blamed me for the problem. They wanted $1400 to rebuild the entire motor in case there had been some sort of debris called in the oil galleys. They also decided it was appropriate to mark up all the parts dramatically. Can-Am was unwilling warranty the ATV because moving the clutch lever to the right-hand side. The funny thing is, there is more play in the clutch lever on the right hand side than there was on the left. (We measured it) So now I have a dilemma. Should I go aunt and purchased a new clutch basket from Hinson or BCS? The people at Hinson tell me to use the OEM clutch plates because that's what they built their basket for. These are the same clutch plates that blew out in less than 70 miles. My service guy tells me I should wait until May when the new DP clutch will be available. I'm now totally confused and really pissed off because it will be 100° before I ever get in this thing fixed.

I am a recreational rider. I'm not racing the bike nor will I ever. I ride with one hand and I use the clutch to take off and to down shift. I don't fan the clutch or do anything crazy. I learned to ride like this way when I was 10 years old and it has never presented a problem no matter what I rode. I just thought I would jump on the forum and ask your opinion of which way to go. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I have my basket all packed up and ready to ship.

[TNT]

That’s a lot of miles on this particular clutch it sucks! Your dealer sounds like he is trying to rip you off w/an engine rebuild. When you say the plates were shot do you in mean pieces that may have got in the engine? There are big steel gears(tranny, gear box) that will tear thin steel plates and small aluminum chunks to particles you will see at your oil plug, pretty unlikely they are large enough to clog journals, not saying impossible either. We had chunks of aluminum basket in ours and flushed it out, no prob!

All you have to do is flush the engine with oil, look at your oil magnetic plug see what’s there…You could even get a local shop to look in the engine with a boroscope if your that worried about damage…I’d do that before spending $1400 which is probably not needed. If your mechanically inclined get a Hinson or BCS is better imo since they use bolted and a better machining at the bolts, then put a new updated clutch in stock plates. Ignition off, rotate the engine slow by pushing the quad in 5th and listen for any grinding noise, if all clear start it up and if you don’t see and engine light flashing from excessive oil pressure your journals are fine, see what happens you s/b fine.

[shogun00]

There were no broken parts, just lots of clutch fibers. The basket "looks" fine but I decided that I might as well get that issue fixed while I have the clutch out anyway.

[CANAMracerdad]

what tnt said !

[shogun00]

I'm going with BCS. Thanks for the input.

[blaster99]

Good choice. If the clutch plates of basket didn't break, there should be nothing in the motor that would hurt it. Flushing with with oil like tnt said wont hurt either.

[Quadmasta]

70 miles is a lot on the clutch? are there problems with the clutches on the ds?

[strokelessone]

I guess it all depends on riding style...I have over 400 miles on mine, and haven't had a problem. I don't race either, just trail ride.

[Quadmasta]

So was there a recall?

[shogun00]

We did 60 miles the first day we rode-after break-in around the neighborhood and such. I put close to 1500 on my Blaster clutch with no problems. I keep close tabs on the mileage because we have Garmin Rinos on all our ATVS. My wife is going to freak out if I'm changing clutches once-per-month.

I'm 44, I have 1 arm and I had a kidney transplant. I'm not a wild rider and I know my limitations but I can hold my own with my friends, maybe even better @ the dunes. The DS450x really rides great for me and I hope I can afford to keep it.