Gen II Clutch Tuning: How to Get the Most Out of Your Setup

As you prepare for race season this year, make better choices with the assistance of MTC’s GenII Multistage Simulation Software.

This software can take all the variables associated with the clutch setup and provide a graphical output indicating the pressure load on the clutch. It also allows you to maintain the previous setup and then run “what if” scenarios of proposed changes.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Setup

When you’re chasing consistency and performance on a high-horsepower drag bike, clutch tuning becomes one of the most powerful tools you have. A properly tuned Gen II clutch doesn’t just improve ET—it helps control power delivery, protects components, and gives you predictable results pass after pass.

Below is a clear breakdown of the three primary tuning methods used with Gen II style clutches and what each adjustment actually does.

1. Adding Weight to the Arms: Increasing Aggression and High-RPM Lockup

One of the most direct ways to change a clutch’s behavior is to add weight to the clutch arms.

What this adjustment does:

• Makes the clutch more aggressive as RPM increases
• Increases the rate of lock-up per RPM
• Helps solve slippage issues at higher engine speeds

In practical terms, adding arm weight means the clutch applies more pressure as RPM climbs. This is especially useful for bikes that are clean off the line but begin to slip or lose efficiency on the big end. If you’re seeing inconsistent MPH or evidence of high-RPM clutch slip, this is often the first place to look.

2. Changing Spring Numbers: Controlling Engagement Timing and Launch Behavior

Spring selection plays a different role than arm weight. Instead of affecting high-RPM lockup, springs primarily influence when the clutch starts to apply pressure.

Installing higher spring numbers:

• Delays the timing of arm engagement
• Allows finer control over the launch point
• Helps tune how aggressively the bike leaves the line

This adjustment is typically used to manage traction at the hit. If the bike is too violent on the launch, or if you’re struggling with consistency in the first 18–30 meters, spring tuning becomes critical. It’s not about adding power—it’s about controlling how that power gets to the ground.

3. Adjusting Static Spring Shims: Shifting the Entire Pressure Curve

Static spring shimming affects baseline clutch pressure across the entire run.

What shimming changes:

• Shifts the clutch pressure curve up or down
• Influences how the bike behaves when driving to the line
• Establishes your baseline pressure setting

Static pressure is not about making peak power—it’s about ensuring the bike behaves correctly during staging, burnout, and initial movement. Think of this as your foundation. Once baseline pressure is correct, arm weight and spring changes become much more predictable and effective.

Why This Matters

Clutch tuning is not guesswork—it’s controlled, mechanical strategy. Each adjustment has a specific purpose:

• Arm weight manages top-end control and slip
• Springs fine-tune launch timing
• Static pressure establishes stability and baseline behavior

When these three variables work together, you gain consistency, improved ET, better component life, and more confidence in the setup.

A well-tuned clutch doesn’t just make the bike faster—it makes the bike repeatable.

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