Good morning,

my latest question is regarding the clutch components for my ‘70 RT1.  

I have new friction and steel plates and everything all cleaned up for assembly but I was wondering about the forum wisdom regarding the ring cushions. Item 5 part number 1681636700 in the parts diagram, as they seem to be hard to find/expensive to import.

i have read in a few places that some people omit them when rebuilding. Is this an acceptable option or will I be best to reinstall the old ones, as they don’t seem to have nicks or splits?

forum wisdom would be welcome. 

thank you.  Ian. 

To close this I have decided to put the old cushion rings back in. I watched a video by Dale Sweger on a rebuild of a 1972 DT250MX which seems a very similar clutch set up with a few differences on plates and spacer but essentially the same. He said the one he was rebuilding had no cushion rings fitted when he took it apart so wasn’t fitting any, he also noted hard to find, and that the clutch would operate just fine. Mine had them, so they can go back in, unless that ticks a stupid idea box with anyone.

Following his video on assembly it also pointed out to me I had a few spacers and an oil ring on the primary drive gear missing. More ordering and waiting, but good to find.

But this re enforced my worry over previous repairs/meddling with this bike.

You will be pleased to know I will be posting another thread with gearbox questions. Please be kind to me.. if I can’t share them here, then where can I?

Thanks, Ian.



Dales video. May help someone and likely known by many

Im gearing up for a restoration of the same bike.  Just picked up 6 cushions so they’re out there if ya want them. 


Cheers

Im gearing up for a restoration of the same bike.  Just picked up 6 cushions so they’re out there if ya want them. 


Cheers

Hi there,

I guess you are in the US I can see them there but postage to uk is extortionate.

I will make the old ones do.

actually found a thread on a CT3 clutch rebuild on here and it was noted that the rubbers could be left out so may just do that instead. 

Good luck with your build and I hope it goes smoothly.

Keep us informed on progress.

Cheers

You can leave the rubber cushions rings out. In fact if using aftermarket clutch plates they don't fit anyways. I think MarkT mentioned this already. I have built many Yamaha engines and leave them out all the time.

Thanks skydancer

i did find the post by Markt on the CT3 clutch which is why I didn’t find it before I posted my question. I need to learn to search better on here.  

thanks for confirming that and I will leave them out. 

I am getting there slowly.  I just need to fathom my gearbox issue now and decide whether to split the cases. 

I enjoy the mechanical side of things but I don’t have enough known.  Yet. 

thanks again. 

Your welcome, The rubber cushion rings will cause more problems then not. So toss them out. As for learning how to fix these bikes, get a good Yamaha service manual for the bike or check the file section for it. As long as you have some mechanical skills you should be fine. It's trial & error for sure when your just starting out on these old bikes.