BS friends:
For years BS 350 GTR and GTO clutch plates have been very hard to find, some reproductions have been attempted all with poor results.
As we all know, the clutch plates are a very important item to have for your 350. The plates themselves are a very difficult design to reproduce on a small
production run. Many bikes have broken, warped, or just worn out clutch plates.
Ray Oiliver and myself have been working together on how to supply 350 clutch plates. We all know they are now unobtainable. We have finally got both the friction and the steel costed and after we discussed the project costs we have decided we must open it up to the group as a project to do. Neither of us is really willing to front the cash needed.
So let me here try and explain how we can do this.
1- A total of US$ approx. $22,000.00 is needed. Tooling cost is excessive in this project, we need two complete sets of tooling to make both plates.
2- If we can put together people wanting 100 sets (or more) that will make it US$ 220.00 per set.
3- What do you get for a set you ask ?
(A)- 7 x Friction plates - re-manufactured. Part number 2214-9000
(B)- 6 x Steel inner plates - re-manufactured. Part number 2215-9000
Some rules that we learned from last years rod project ?
1- We would probably have to have a close out on numbers. Otherwise it could go on for ever.
2- Richard will hold the money till it is all donated. We will then arrange to have the project started and Richard will pay my manufacturers directly. This is the only form of security we can come up with.
3- If anyone else out there feels they can / want to do this project to support the need then we are open to listen to their proposal.
4. 150$ deposit will be required, for each kit you want to order, balance due will be 70$ plus shipping from Richard to you.
From project kickoff to first parts we have to allow 6-9 months.
As I am sure you can calculate neither Ray or myself will be making any real money out of this deal. We have allowed for shipping to Richard in the USA. Richard will put the kits together and ship to all donators directly.
The clutches will be made in Taiwan, with a suppliers that are already making clutches for Yamaha / Kawasaki /Honda and others.
For you new folks on this site, here is a direct link to last years very successful rod project.
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=2405.0
How we will get started:
1- We will aim keep a simple spread sheet of commitments. Once we hit 100 I will take a screen shot and post it here. Then all involved can send their deposit.
I will from time to time, post a list of who wants kits, so we all can see "where we are at"
2- Sorry if this offends anyone but can we keep this thread to just clutch project commitments ? What we are doing here will need to taken seriously if we are to pull it off.
All messages on this thread that are not related to the clutch plate project will be deleted.
3- For the record we have exhausted any other possible avenues that we know. . No other clutch plates will work in a BS 350. So if we are going to do this, lets do it correctly and be done with it. after all its for the future of the Bridgestone 350.
Ray and I are going to keep this posting alive until the end of May 2013 . We will keep track and post who wants to order how many sets.
If on June 1 2013, we have orders for 100 sets, then we will ask all committed people to mail Richard Clark a money order, or use PAYPAL
for 150.00. Upon receipt of all orders, Ray will place the orders with the companies who will be producing these parts.
If payment for these 100 sets do not arrive, then all money received will be returned.
Upon overseas delivery of the 100 clutch plate kits to Richard, a final payment of 70$ plus outgoing shipping will be asked for.
If we do not get 100 sets committed, project will be abandon on May 31 2013, for good. This date will not be extended.
As we owe an answer to the many people in Taiwan, who have helped set up this project. We will NOT offer this project
again, we will leave it up to others.
The clutch plate problem is a real limiting factor with the value and desirability of the Bridgestone 350, you can paint
and chrome everything, but when you need clutch plates to drive your 350, they are no where to be found.
If you love the BS 350 and are planning to ever drive, or sell your bike, you should consider a spare set or two.
There are many 350 owners who are not on this site, please help "spread the word" about this project. We need
everyone's help to get this project going. 100 sets is a tall order, but you are investing in the future of the Bridgestone 350.
After all you will not get your kit unless we have commitments for 100 kits
Keep in mind we are offering clutch plates, which must be installed on a clutch with good hubs and baskets to work correctly.
I want to thank Ray Oliver for all his hard work in sourcing this project, he has spent hours setting this up.
Thanks
Richard Clark
Ray Oliver