On my 2002 zr 600 efi we are looking at replacing the clutch. The stock clutch on it has 9 towers and the one we are looking at buying to replace it is a 6 tower. With the 9 tower, it seems like we have to put in new cam arm bushings or cam arm kits or new cam arms fairly often. What are the advantages of the new 6 tower clutch setups?
6 or 9 tower clutch?
- Thread starter 02zr600
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snowfish
Member
To my knowledge the 9 Tower is no longer in production. I installed a new 6 Tower after I rebuilt the ZRT600 Powder Extreme this season. Not because the clutch wasn't performing right, but because the sheaves had spider cracks. Pretty much a grenade waiting to go off.
I bought the machine with 2200 miles on it. I rebuilt the engine and replaced the clutch at a little over 5500 miles. Other than the cracked sheaves, the clutch was not in that bad of shape. Sure it was getting worn but the buttons were still fine, cam arm bushings still pretty tight, cam arms had minimal wear, pins just slightly grooved, and the rollers still had plenty of life left. OK, the arms and bushing probably only had 3000 miles on them since I put the stock cams back in after purchase. (they came with the machine since it was previous run at altitude)
How often is often for changing bushings and components? I think it depends upon the riding style. I'm not a "chucky putter" by any means, but I don't slam the machine around either. I definitely use it, but don't abuse it. And don't take that as implying that you slam yours around and that's why it wears out so fast. That's not what I meant. Maybe some 9 Towers were more prone to wear than others.
I can say that the new 6 Tower, set bone stock, is a wonderful set up. I'm using the cam arms with 3000 plus miles on them too. (with new pins and bushings) Engagement is perfect, smooth up shifting, and back shifting is flawless. Having springs (primary & secondary) with 5000 less miles I'm sure makes the shifting better too! Do ya think?! LOL!
Seeing the 6 Tower and 9 Tower side by side, the 6 Tower appears to be a superior and cleaner design. With a little over 600 miles, since rebuild and clutch, I'm extremely pleased with the performance. I'm optimistic that it will last as long, if not longer, than the 9 Tower.
Cost wise, the 6 Tower is a no brainer. Considering the cost of a new spider and the rest of the goodies, to bring the 9 Tower back to life, it's pretty much a wash.
Sorry for the novel. Maybe I should have said that I'm very pleased and glad that I got the 6 Tower. You won't be disappointed. Cheers.
I bought the machine with 2200 miles on it. I rebuilt the engine and replaced the clutch at a little over 5500 miles. Other than the cracked sheaves, the clutch was not in that bad of shape. Sure it was getting worn but the buttons were still fine, cam arm bushings still pretty tight, cam arms had minimal wear, pins just slightly grooved, and the rollers still had plenty of life left. OK, the arms and bushing probably only had 3000 miles on them since I put the stock cams back in after purchase. (they came with the machine since it was previous run at altitude)
How often is often for changing bushings and components? I think it depends upon the riding style. I'm not a "chucky putter" by any means, but I don't slam the machine around either. I definitely use it, but don't abuse it. And don't take that as implying that you slam yours around and that's why it wears out so fast. That's not what I meant. Maybe some 9 Towers were more prone to wear than others.
I can say that the new 6 Tower, set bone stock, is a wonderful set up. I'm using the cam arms with 3000 plus miles on them too. (with new pins and bushings) Engagement is perfect, smooth up shifting, and back shifting is flawless. Having springs (primary & secondary) with 5000 less miles I'm sure makes the shifting better too! Do ya think?! LOL!
Seeing the 6 Tower and 9 Tower side by side, the 6 Tower appears to be a superior and cleaner design. With a little over 600 miles, since rebuild and clutch, I'm extremely pleased with the performance. I'm optimistic that it will last as long, if not longer, than the 9 Tower.
Cost wise, the 6 Tower is a no brainer. Considering the cost of a new spider and the rest of the goodies, to bring the 9 Tower back to life, it's pretty much a wash.
Sorry for the novel. Maybe I should have said that I'm very pleased and glad that I got the 6 Tower. You won't be disappointed. Cheers.
snowfish, thanks for the quick response. it is right on to what i was looking for. My zr has close to 7000 miles on it and this is still the stock clutch, which was also ran at altitude when we bought it, so i think we have gotten all the goodies out of it. I also dont baby this machine by any means, but dont run it into the ground as i have seen others do. to me, it seems like in the last couple years, we have to replace bushings between about every season, with about 1500 miles on them. Our last set we let run too long and started eating away at the towers, spider, and the rollers are able to be moved 1\8 in. side to side, so i think it is time we invested in a new clutch instead of putting parts into a dead piece. hopefully you are right on the lasting longer part, as constantly putting parts into clutches is a pain with 4 sleds. once again, thank you!
snowfish
Member
I received 2 day service, from these guys, on my new clutch.
http://www.catdeals.com/category/Clutches
You may have to call. The online ordering didn't work last time I tried.
I'll probably pick one up for my ZR500 too "just because".
Cheers.
http://www.catdeals.com/category/Clutches
You may have to call. The online ordering didn't work last time I tried.
I'll probably pick one up for my ZR500 too "just because".
Cheers.