B31 Clutch - should it run in oil?

[Fraz]

Just about to put my clutch back together after inspecting for wear and undecided if I should clean up the plates with brake cleaner?

The metal plates and friction plates were / are contaminated with oil.

Should they be coated with oil or should the clutch run dry? (Meaning I've got a leak issue somewhere)

Thanks

[idie]

They run wet.

[Kernowpete2]

There should have been oil in the primary chain case when you took it off. Was there?

[Fraz]

There should have been oil in the primary chain case when you took it off. Was there?

Thanks

[Fraz]

There should have been oil in the primary chain case when you took it off. Was there?

Yes, plenty oil came out

Thanks

[Pete C]

it is essentially a dry clutch. The oil in the primary is only to lubricate the chain, clutch bearings and shock absorber.

If the clutch plates are soaked in oil you need to clean them and reassemble dry. Petrol is not the best way to wash the plates but everyone does it that way.

The level of oil in the primary should only be enough for the chain to dip into when running.

[V500]

This is true, but the nature of the environment (plunger bikes aside) means that the plates will soon become oily again, though they work just fine like this.

[Pete C]

True, the clutch will not escape the oil being flung around by the chain. However the majority will be flung off again and the plain plates have channels in them to facilitate the oil's escape. A little oil is OK.