Specs for replacing clutch plates and springs?

I haven't found the minimum specs for the clutch spring length or clutch plate thickness (metal and friction) for my 82 Maxim (XS400J). Could someone share that with me?

This is my first time changing a clutch. The clutch was slipping; I could be in 1st gear with the clutch handle out, and the bike wasn't moving. I need to look at the plates closer, but I didn't see any obvious warping of the disks or burn marks. I understand to place the metal plates on a flat surface to look for warping. I admit to being unsure when a clutch cable adjust will fix a particular issue over replacing the plates.

The bike has 15K miles on it, and I assume the clutch has never been replaced.

Thanks for the input!

 

when the lever is out there should be a little slack in the cable and the arm should be very close to 90 degrees to the cable. if all of that checks out the bike should at least try to move.
maybe someone left a plate out or didn't put it together right

 

I have a copy of the XS400 service manual at home; I'll have a look for you and try to get the answer posted up tonight.

 

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=45589.html

 

So I finally took a close look at the steel and friction plates, and they really do look good to me. I don't see any wear, discoloring, etc. In measuring them, the metal ones are all at 2.00mm, and the friction ones at 3.00mm. The variance is tiny. The springs seem to vary more: 34.74, 34.74, 34.87, 34.85, 34.88, so still within 0.14 of each other.

For the SOHC XS400, someone shared with me that the friction plates are 3.0mm, but the metal plates are 1.6mm, so I'm guessing the Maxim's are beefier, unless someone installed the wrong plates in here??

 

According to my manual....
Friction plate 3.0 mm wear limit 2.8 mm
Clutch spring minimum length 33.6 mm.

Don't see anything in the manual about steel plates, sorry.

 

My XS400 factory book says:

friction plates: 3.0mm, wear limit 2.8mm. Qty 5
steel plates: 2.0mm, warp limit <.05mm Qty 4
spring free length: 34.6mm, minimum 33.6mm.

However, thirty year old friction plates, despite being within wear limits often don't work very well. When the bike sat (and they all did) the oil-soaked friction pads that weren't submerged (most of the clutch) dried out. They won't "wake up" in new oil; they're petrified.

I'd recommend new springs too, even if they're within spec.

 

I guess I will have to check my service manual again....

 

Thank you very one, and merci to my Quebec friend (I grew up in Brossard). I've decided to spring for the friction plates and springs (after I check for any warpage of the metal plates). Just makes sense.

The funny thing is that it seems a bit of a challenge to finding the right replacement parts online - regular XS400 ones might work, but the models covered in the descriptions seem to rarely include the 82 Maxim... If anyone has a good lead on some, I'm all ears.