The most important cleaning is the first one before riding a new sled. Should be done at PDI, but rarely is.
The gunk sprayed on for transport combined with the dust and grit that happens while the sled is waiting for you, can cause a roller or two to skid on the first day out. Once it skids it starts a flat spot that creates an oval bushing wear. Once the arms are not giving equal pressure to the sheave the rest of the clutch bushings wear funny. Once the sheave starts to give the belt unequal pressure every revolution the belts starts to slip easier and more heat and wear occur. Holy makerel, LOL.
I spend a bit of time (very understated) on the new out of the box sled to make sure it's how the engineer wanted me to get it. Kinda anal maybe but I've learned from my years in the biz that not all machines are created equal. Usually it's the fault of a minimum wage a assembly guy or the manufacturing tolerances of the lowest bidder.
Clutches are part of it. Sometimes I completely disassemble and wash with hot soapy water (best), sometimes just air and brake cleaner on the rollers and bushings and acetone on the sheaves. After a couple of rides get rid of the new belt dust the same way and every time you break in a new belt.
Warranty or not, I put way too many miles on in a season to keep replacing the clutch. AC, Pol, or Doo all need the same care. Only Yamaha uses bushing material a little more tolerant to s**t.
Shouldn't have to. Many don't. Ignorance is bliss, lol.
Geo
. They should be able to take one off rebuild it and install it in an hour, not that much to do. Even if it take 15 minuets to heat up the spider still should not take more than an hour.
