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I know how to test a clutch in a car or truck (big tree, in first and slowly let out clutch- it should stall the engine)

How can I test the clutch in a bike without any real damage to the plates?

Same way. Except you can use your front brake.
Not sure why you'd want to do that though.

Seems like an odd method of 'testing' a clutch. If your clutch slips enough to allow complete disengagement at a standstill without stalling, it is beyond fried.

Long before this method is possible, you should notice clutch slippage at normal riding speeds. Heavy application of throttle causing RPM to increase without a corresponding speed increase is a sure sign the clutch is slipping badly. Replace all the clutch plates and springs at this stage and you will probably not burn/score/warp the basket or pressure plate.

I'm with Wrider and Buzzz. What is the purpose of this? A clutch is not rocket science, a bad clutch will reveal itself instantaneously just from operating it normally.

Let me try to reword the question.

Assume you are buying a used bike from a dealer or unknown source. How would you test the clutch.

A quick test ride. Wide open throttle pull through a gear or two. If the clutch is slipping you'll notice with a high dose of acceleration.

You can also hear it if they won't allow a test ride but let you follow them when they ride it. ask to see some heavy acceleration and a bad clutch is a dead give away from the sound.

Or that may just be my track experience talking. Hyper- how off am I?

You're right on there storys. Especially if you can get one of the bigger guys in the shop to do it, it'd be more apt to do it with more load on the bike than with a light guy.

storysunfolding wrote:
Or that may just be my track experience talking. Hyper- how off am I?

Yeah unlike on the track, I think for a brief demo "soundtrack", a skilled & relatively light(not Wrider ) rider can mask a clutch that is starting to slip by well orchestrated manipulation of the throttle and clutch. Of course if the clutch is really fried, it's a different story alltogether.

OP I assume you are looking at a bike that alledgedly has a clutch problem...what kind of bike is it?

Hey! Are you calling me fat?!?!?! Oh, well ok, just making sure you were... lol