Barnett Automatic Transmission Clutch Plate

Barnett Automatic Transmission Clutch Plates: American-Made Performance Since 1948

When it comes to clutch plates that can handle real-world abuse, few names carry the weight of Barnett. Founded in 1948 by Charlie and Afton Barnett out of a small storefront in Huntington Park, California, the company has spent more than 75 years refining the science of friction — and their automatic transmission clutch plates represent the pinnacle of that expertise. Still family-owned and operated, Barnett manufactures nearly all of its components in-house at its California facility, maintaining strict quality control at every stage of production.

Why Barnett Clutch Plates Stand Apart

Barnett's clutch plates are engineered around one core principle: putting the right friction material to work in the right application. The lineup spans three distinct material technologies, each suited to a different performance profile:

• Kevlar (Series K) Friction Plates — DuPont Kevlar friction material bonded to either 6061-T-6 alloy CNC-machined cores or tempered steel cores, depending on the application. Kevlar performs reliably under severe conditions and delivers smooth, precise engagement and release, with compatibility across all major oils.
• Carbon Fiber (CF Series) Friction Plates — Segmented carbon fiber construction that is extremely durable and heat tolerant. A high static and dynamic coefficient of friction provides positive, consistent engagement — the go-to choice for riders pushing higher horsepower builds.
• Tempered Steel Drive Plates — Every Barnett steel drive plate goes through a vibratory deburring process and is individually quality-checked for flatness to ensure optimum performance and smooth clutch pack operation.

The Extra-Plate Advantage

One of Barnett's most recognized innovations in the clutch plate space is their Extra-Plate system. These kits add an additional friction plate to the clutch pack while still fitting within the OEM basket — no modification required. The result is greater total friction surface area, which translates to smoother, more consistent clutch performance and improved torque capacity. This makes Extra-Plate kits especially well-suited to performance-modified engines running big-bore kits, aftermarket cams, or other power upgrades.

Coverage Across Leading Platforms

Barnett's automatic transmission clutch plate catalog covers a wide range of platforms, with particularly deep fitment coverage for Harley-Davidson models — from classic Sportster and Big Twin configurations through the modern Milwaukee-Eight lineup — as well as Indian, Victory, and select sport and off-road applications. Whether you're restoring a vintage machine or upgrading a late-model performance build, Barnett offers both direct-fit OEM-replacement plates and performance-upgrade options under the same trusted name.

Backed by decades of continuous research and development, and assembled with multiple quality checks throughout the build process, Barnett clutch plates are a no-compromise solution for riders who demand reliable power transfer from their drivetrain. Explore the full Barnett brand catalog or browse all automatic transmission clutch plates to find the right fit for your application.