Patent ID: 8297425

Claim:
A motorcycle clutch for reducing clutch spring load at higher engine speed levels, said clutch comprising: a clutch-driven member; a clutch-drive member; clutch plates disposed within said clutch-drive member; a pressure plate; a clutch spring for biasing said pressure plate into engagement with said clutch plates, to thereby engage said clutch-drive member and said clutch-driven member; a clutch-actuating member for disengaging said pressure plate from said clutch plates, to thereby disengage the clutch-drive member and the clutch-driven member; a captive spring disposed in said pressure plate; a lever pivotally mounted on said pressure plate; and a retaining plate; wherein at a first engine speed level, the lever begins to pivot as a result of applied centrifugal forces and at a second higher engine speed level, the lever exerts forces on said captive spring which exceed its spring preload force, thereby depressing the captive spring until a portion of the lever contacts said retaining plate.