Clutch springs minus two; is this safe?

[triangleforge]

Was installing an open clutch cover on my 1998 ST2 this morning & discovered this upon removing the stock cover:



Two of the clutch springs & caps had been removed by a previous owner, I'm assuming to lessen effort at the clutch lever instead of springing (no pun intended) for an aftermarket slave cylinder. I don't notice any clutch slippage, but should I move new springs & caps (or a spider retainer) up the priority list for mods on this bike? If the clutch isn't slipping, is there any reason not to run the bike like this in the meantime?

Thanks!

[Capo]

It will run just fine with 4 springs

[Howie]

Coomon modification.  The worst that can happen is the clutch may slip before totally worn out.

[vwboomer]

If you haven't noticed a problem up to this point, no worries. Though you should get yourself a set of spring seats and install all 6 anyway, for aesthetic purposes of course.

[triangleforge]

If you haven't noticed a problem up to this point, no worries. Though you should get yourself a set of spring seats and install all 6 anyway, for aesthetic purposes of course.

Roger that.

[He Man]

and then remove 2 springs for ergonomic purposes anyway. Your gonna notice a huge difference in lever weight with those 2 springs.

[Monsterlover]

I tried the 4 spring deal when I had my M900 (2000) and I could overpower the clutch at anytime in any gear.

But, that was with a Barnett clutch pack that had 5000 miles on it.  Not sure if that contributed.  Lever pull was effortless compared to stock, but it wouldn't hold it so I had to go back to using all 6 spring stacks.

[vwboomer]

and then remove 2 springs for ergonomic purposes anyway. Your gonna notice a huge difference in lever weight with those 2 springs.

Notice I said install seats.
As in, without the springs.
Personally I couldn't run without the two springs. I tried it and it was heaven on the wrist (still not as good as my gasgas!) but slipped at higher rpms.

[Capo]

Here is a pic of a corse factory clutch as used by Mr Bayliss, notice it has only 4 springs tho they are probably stronger

[He Man]

Notice I said install seats.
As in, without the springs.
Personally I couldn't run without the two springs. I tried it and it was heaven on the wrist (still not as good as my gasgas!) but slipped at higher rpms.

oops misread. i run all 6 springs because my clutch slips without them. i use to run 4 springs. it was pretty cool (and short lived, only got 1500 miles)

[brad black]

i run my 851 with 4, but it has what look like heavy duty springs to me.

you could always add some washers to the 4 to preload them more.  it's about seat pressure, not spring rate with a clutch, so if you get the right seat pressure with 4 and a lot of preload it'll still be softer than 6 to operate.

you could also get some of the thinner steel plates from the sintered packs (s, sp, sps, r, etc) and use them to run an extra friction plate.