I stumbled into a meeting with Scott Murley, Steve Yatzke, the boss, and Grady Pheiffer from GH Marketing, in Scott’s new office digs next to the BDL R&D department. We started discussing new products and Bikernet techs.
The BDL family is exploding. BDL took on GMA brakes some time ago, but then they grabbed Jamar brakes and performance products for off-road vehicles, and most recently they took over hot rod blower systems and may end up building blowers for bikes. Steve has a massive family history with machining and particular machine capabilities, like pulleys and rotors, so building parts for blowers fell directly into place.
“Our new facilities include our own aluminum foundry,” said Steve, “over 50 CNC mills and lathes, gear cutting department and a rubber manufacturing facility that includes our state of the art CAD design and rapid prototyping.”
They are cooking, and I can’t wait to write a story about their Blower company BDS (Blower Drive Services). “We are the only company capable of having blowers in stock, ready to ship,” said Steve.
Maybe, just maybe Bikernet will bring you the first tech on install of a BDS blower specifically built for Harleys and in particular our 135-inch JIMS motor.
In the meantime we discussed the regular BDL clutch systems. I mentioned that I decided to remove three of my springs from my clutch for a lighter pull. I had three experts in the room and no one bitched. Most BDL spring clutches come with nine springs for a hearty performance pull. And you can add as many as 12.
Since I’m not running a big inch engine I could get away with just six springs, but then I learned about this new system. For high performance engines BDL also developed ball bearing clutches. They allow the rider to stick with less tension at the clutch lever, yet more pressure on the plates at high speeds.
 |
 |
 |
The BDL Ultimate Clutch kit includes two diaphragm springs, spring collar, 12 springs and shoulder bolts. BDL’s high performance clutch lets you choose between a diaphragm or coil spring application. “Our kit will fit any BDL belt- open or closed,” Grady said.
According to Scott, this system allows the rider/builder lots of options. He can run springs if a variety of configurations for more or less pull and pressure or a light diaphragm or and heavier one for performance engines. There are even adjustments to the clutch tension by removing or adding washers.
“Our Evo 9-S is our most popular open belt drive system,” Scott pointed out. “Some guys like the diaphragm replacement to replace the springs sticking out in the wind.”
For stock applications, use the black diaphragm only or for a more stronger spring pressure use the copper colored diaphragm. For high performance motorcycles, use both diaphragm springs. For even more spring pressure, place the washers under the head of the shoulder bolt.
“UC-1000 For stock applications, you can use as few as four springs,” Scott said. “For high performance motorcycles, use eight to 12 springs depending on you individual application.”
NOTE: To achieve the proper spring tension for your application, you can add or subtract springs. Start with six or use any combination up to 12 springs. Most high performance applications will only need eight or nine springs.
Following are the BDL installation instructions with my bullshit additions and suggestions.
DPP-100 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
This kit is for installation on Belt Drives Ltd. Belt drive clutch hubs.
Kit includes:
1. DPP-100 Pressure Plate.
1. DES-100 Diaphragm spring “black in color”.
1. DCS-100 Spring collar
4. ESB-1000 1-inch shoulder bolts.
4. 3/8-inch AN washers
1. New clutch pushrod adjuster with 0-rings
1. 1 1/8-inch hub nut without seal
1. Remove old pressure plate.
2. Apply blue thread locker to a (4) hole pattern in the BDL clutch hub matching that of the (4) hole pattern of the DPP-100.
3. Install supplied adjusting screw with (2) O-rings into pressure plate from the backside so as not to damage O-rings, Loosely install jam nut onto adjusting screw. Make sure the adjuster O-rings are oiled, and the concave pushrod tip is oiled. Also make sure the adjuster is deep into the adjustment threads in the housing so the pushrod doesn’t bottom before the shoulder bolts do and damage the throw-out bearing.
4. First install new diaphragm spring, Then spring collar “tapered side facing spring” onto the domed face of the DPP-100 pressure plate, lubricate pocket in clutch side of adjusting screw with gear oil or assembly lube and place into position.
5. Install the (4) 1-inch long shoulder bolts, *Note 1-inch shoulder bolts are measured from under the head of bolt to the end of the smooth shoulder” and torque to 12-14 FT.LBS. The shoulder bolt will bottom out on the clutch hub, Do not loosen shoulder bolts to ease the pull of the clutch lever, this will cause clutch failure and possible injury.
I loosened the cable adjustment, so I wouldn’t get a false reading with the pushrod adjuster.
6. Adjust clutch as normal. I adjusted the pushrod adjuster in with my fingers until it bottomed against the throw-out bearing. I backed it out ¼ turn to 3/8 turn, then tightened the adjuster screw lock nut with blue Loctite. Then I adjusted the cable to have a dime thickness of slack.
7. If you would like to increase the pressure of the pressure plate, Then remove the (4) shoulder bolts (1) at a time and place (1) of the AN washers under each of the (4) shoulder bolt heads, Clean off all old thread locker and apply new blue thread locker and retighten the shoulder bolts to the 12-14 FT.LB. torque spec.
By installing the (4) 3/8-inch AN washers under the heads of the (4) 1-inch shoulder bolts, The clutch pack and lever pull are going to be affected by creating more pressure “force” to the diaphragm spring and clutch pack, This can / will cause a little harder clutch lever pull along with a minimal decrease in the travel of clutch lever and pressure plate.
If you have a larger engine or a modified engine and you would like more power to the clutch,
You can purchase our DES-200 “copper colored ” Diaphragm spring which is 30 percent stronger than our DES-100 “black in color” diaphragm spring, Installation of this spring will increase the clutch lever pull and pressure to the clutch pack, but will not decrease the travel of either clutch lever or pressure plate.
