New poster here on the much discussed topic of the Mk1 xCountry clutch.
I have an nice low mileage 2007 which is definitely a keeper, but It suffers from the classic sticky clutch which avoids neutral when at a standstill - in fact when up to temp, it really doesn't like changing gear when not moving . Also, I've found that I need to adjust the cable at the handlbars almost to the fullest extent to get decent changes and a chance of finding neutral, but that means an uncomfortably high bite point and a very "on/off" feel. I was planning just the usual upgrade to the 2009 model clutch cover with the steel bearing (plus the operating shaft and associated bits). However, I decided to take a look at the clutch first while doing an oil change. The fact is that there was a nice snug fit for the release bearing in the cover - no unusual play (it does only have 13,000 miles on it). I have also read that the cover upgrade isn't always a complete solution, so i was wondering if there was a more complete upgrade I could undertake.
I did some online research and that when I noticed a fairly significant difference in the clutch packs for the two models. The 2007 model has 8 friction and 8 steel drive plates, while the MK2 has 7 friction and 6 drive plates plus a judder spring/clutch washer. The two sets of plates though are not interchangeable because the two clutch hubs have different numbers of teeth 30 (2007) vs 36 (2008/9). See the pics below. I did consider just dropping one friction plate and two drive plates form my 2007 cluct pack and fitting the 2009 judder spring / clutch washer to fill out the pack to the correct size but I think the better option would be to fit the full 2009 clutch pack.
So I was wondering if anyone had done that conversion and fitted the full clutch pack ( Basket, hub, plates and pressure plate) from the Mk2 (2008/09) as well as well as the usual clutch cover and operating lever upgrade?
I love this bike for its simplicity, lightless and power - there's nothing else like it out there - but I really would like a proper fix for the clutch.
Any experiences with fitting the 2009 clutch pack as well as the cover upgrade would be very welcome.
I have an nice low mileage 2007 which is definitely a keeper, but It suffers from the classic sticky clutch which avoids neutral when at a standstill - in fact when up to temp, it really doesn't like changing gear when not moving . Also, I've found that I need to adjust the cable at the handlbars almost to the fullest extent to get decent changes and a chance of finding neutral, but that means an uncomfortably high bite point and a very "on/off" feel. I was planning just the usual upgrade to the 2009 model clutch cover with the steel bearing (plus the operating shaft and associated bits). However, I decided to take a look at the clutch first while doing an oil change. The fact is that there was a nice snug fit for the release bearing in the cover - no unusual play (it does only have 13,000 miles on it). I have also read that the cover upgrade isn't always a complete solution, so i was wondering if there was a more complete upgrade I could undertake.
I did some online research and that when I noticed a fairly significant difference in the clutch packs for the two models. The 2007 model has 8 friction and 8 steel drive plates, while the MK2 has 7 friction and 6 drive plates plus a judder spring/clutch washer. The two sets of plates though are not interchangeable because the two clutch hubs have different numbers of teeth 30 (2007) vs 36 (2008/9). See the pics below. I did consider just dropping one friction plate and two drive plates form my 2007 cluct pack and fitting the 2009 judder spring / clutch washer to fill out the pack to the correct size but I think the better option would be to fit the full 2009 clutch pack.
So I was wondering if anyone had done that conversion and fitted the full clutch pack ( Basket, hub, plates and pressure plate) from the Mk2 (2008/09) as well as well as the usual clutch cover and operating lever upgrade?
I love this bike for its simplicity, lightless and power - there's nothing else like it out there - but I really would like a proper fix for the clutch.
Any experiences with fitting the 2009 clutch pack as well as the cover upgrade would be very welcome.
