Alternator Clutch Lube?

Ed Townsend · Post by **Ed Townsend** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:30 am

Being new to CBX's, I disassembled the alternator to look for anything that could cause some rattling/noise. The clutch plates were fairly clean without much scouring, the assembly wasn't missing any of the thrust and regular washers (per the shop manual), and both bearings felt tight (regreased anyway). Previous post indicated some disagreement as to whether the clutch plates should be lubed on assembly or not. Other than lubing the clutch splines with Honda moly paste, I left the assembly dry. Any other opinions? Thanks.

John S. (5594) · Post by **John S. (5594)** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 10:22 am

Hi Ed,

The alternator clutch plates are indeed designed to be lubricated with engine oil when the motor is running. Honda clearly recommends coating the mating surfaces of the clutch plates with molybdenum disulfide grease when re-assembled (a cautionary note highlighted in the factory shop manual). This step is to prevent galling when the engine is first started (before engine oil is supplied to the plates through the brass metering orifice in the primary shaft's end). Consider it as you would "assembly lube" used in engine rebuilds.

All the best,

John

San Jose, California

PS - If I recall correctly - the alternator bearings are the "sealed" type - not easily re-lubricated. If there is any doubt about their condition - replacement is in order.

Passx · Post by **Passx** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:14 pm

Ed,

John is correct, my earlier post on dry assembly was not. The Tech Tip Chronicles as a whole disagrees with the Honda manual as far as moly or some other assembly lube being used, the TTC does not recommend that use and I would agree. Plate flatness is the real issue so you may look at that and chamfer the grooves so they don't dig into the opposing plate. Sorry for any inconvenence but my memory (CRS ?) of this job on my 80 of 3-4 years ago had me remembering a dry area. Good luck, Steve P. #5220

Jim-Jim · Post by **Jim-Jim** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 2:10 pm

OK, just to avoid my thrashing through a zillion Tech Tips and to let others know (who may not have them), WHY do they disagree with the 'lubing' of the alternator plates before reassembly? John's assessment that it would help prevent 'galling' when initially started up (after disassembly) makes sense to me as it would only add to the plate wear without it and I feel plate wear is a major problem with the clutch. So, again, why NOT lube the plates?

Don · Post by **Don** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 12:40 am

I don't see any big problem with lubing them, but I can't see why it would be necessary either.

After the bike has been run a few hundred miles, any preassembly "lube" would certainly be all gone, and from then on, every cold start would essentially have the clutches dry until the oil pressure came up.

I've had my alternator off several times, and never lubed them prior to reassembly - If I was installing a new set of clutches, I think I would put something on them to aid in thier break-in, but that would be the only time.

Don

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 1:43 pm

Think about it the alternator clutch is usually lubricated by engine oil, what could better for initial lubrication. I simply pull my dip stick and get a little oil from it and spread a thin coat over both surfaces. Also while there get a small wire and clean the small orfice that the oil feeds through. You can also use WD40, spray into the small hole then blow out with air. This hole can get cloged and stop the small amount of oil flow to the clutch and cause some wear and noises.

Mike Nixon · Post by **Mike Nixon** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 2:25 am

Jim-Jim wrote:OK, just to avoid my thrashing through a zillion Tech Tips and to let others know (who may not have them), WHY do they disagree with the 'lubing' of the alternator plates before reassembly? John's assessment that it would help prevent 'galling' when initially started up (after disassembly) makes sense to me as it would only add to the plate wear without it and I feel plate wear is a major problem with the clutch. So, again, why NOT lube the plates?

Wow, is this a musty and dusty thread! But, have to comment. I can't speak for the other contributors to the Tech Chronicles, but I can answer as to why I have discouraged pre-lubing the alternator clutch discs -- they don't need it, and in most machines they are already too prone to slipping. As for the moly eventually washing away, yes of course. But meantime, the discs slip and the damage continues. More information? See the following --

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorc ... lutch.html

Achim Grabbe · Post by **Achim Grabbe** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 2:24 pm

OK, I will chime in here. In my opinion the clutch only has to be lubed if and when they're slipping. This happens usually not after an assembly but when the revs are going up or down pretty fast. And if the engine runs that high, enough oil should be available to lube the discs.

Punchline is, if one lubes the clutch at assembly, the discs would slip until the moly grease is gone. That is wear that no one's wanting.

All that are my 2 0.02 €

Achim

Jeff Bennetts · Post by **Jeff Bennetts** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 3:04 pm

I'm in the middle on this one, I coat them with fresh engine oil because they are meant to operate with a thin coat of oil provided by the orifice through the shaft and by the grooves in the plates themselves. This coat of oil has been factored in as part of the tension formula just like the spring allowing the system to slip when needed.

Heres my disclaimer, I always radius the grooves in the plates by hand to make sure theres no rough edges.

jb

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