85 big red clutch question...

[jeremyb74]

About four years ago a buddy knew I wanted a big red and gave me his old one... an 85 250. It's really beat up, but ran when he parked it. When I got it, I messed with it and got in running, but it needed a lot of work so I shoved it aside. I'm ready to jump on this thing and get it going. The biggest problem, is that although it seems to shift through all the gears, including reverse, it will still roll in every gear with the engine off. Which also means, if I start it and put it in gear it just sits there, like it's in neutral. I'm about to go out and pull the clutch cover off, does anyone have any ideas of what I might be looking for as the source of this problem? Thanks for any help you can offer!

[kariutta]

I don't know much about the BR but this may sound stupid is it an automatic transmission?

[ailll1]

I don't know much about the BR but this may sound stupid is it an automatic transmission?

It's a semi-automatic transmission. It should not move like its in neutral when the engine is not running unless you removed the sparkplug? maybe?

[jeremyb74]

It's a semi-automatic transmission. It should not move like its in neutral when the engine is not running unless you removed the sparkplug? maybe?

haha I wish it was that easy... I'm not a mechanic, but I'm a former MX'r so I know a little bit (but still not much! LOL).... I figured I'd pop the cover and there would be a clutch issue that would be obvious if looking for it, but I pulled the cover and there is no movement of anything under that cover when the trike is rolled in gear. I'm going to go out later and see if there is something going on in the shaft area... I'm really confused now! I would be thinking maybe a shift fork issue, but it seems to be switching gears, even into reverse.

[ailll1]

I'm going to go out later and see if there is something going on in the shaft area... I'm really confused now!

Yes, driving shaft might be missing or stripped out real bad. Just pull off the boot and check if there's mouvement there. I don't know much about transmission and clutches, so someone else might do a better to help you.

[oscarmayer]

in my sig is a link to the factory manuals.
could be drive shaft, but i do not thing so. do this train the oil and pull the side oil filter off. see if you see black sludge buildup. if you do the clutches are def gone. the manual can show you how to replace them.

[jeremyb74]

Sorry for the slow reply and thanks guys for your help thus far. I pulled the clutch cover and all looked well in there... oil was dirty, but no sludge. Rolling in gear showed no movement on anything in clutch side.

I slid the boot on the front of the driveshaft back, and the shaft only moved a hair then stopped (as trike was moved... wheels still rolled, but shaft didn't spin). Then I figered it was either the shaft, or something in the rear end. I pulled the plug out of the rear end and the fluid looked like melted milk chocolate. I stuck my finger in and there were chunks of metal. Not sure if it is gears or maybe splines of the axle, but at least I have the problem narrowed down.

While looking around and moving stuff in the clutch side, the kickstart shaft (and gear) came out a a couple inches and was all binded up in the spring, but seemed to go back into place ok.. SHould I take it back out and make 100% sure it's back in correctly, or is it a pain to mess with?

[jeremyb74]

OK, it really didn't appear to be in right (the kick starter assembly), so I pulled it back out. Service manual shows both clutches coming out to put it back in, but that can't be necessary,it came out, it has to be able to go back in! lol I guess I'll head back out and mess with it. Thanks again guys! I dug around on her for info (without posting or regestering) when I was rebuilding a 200X. You guys are awesome!

[ailll1]

85 models Big Red and SX had sealing problems with the rear differential. Milky oil means theres water mixed with the oil. Either your spline on the driveshaft are stripped or the differential is gone. 2nd option is the most plausible. Water probably killed it.

Sorry, I can't help you with your kick start issues.

[jeremyb74]

85 models Big Red and SX had sealing problems with the rear differential. Milky oil means theres water mixed with the oil. Either your spline on the driveshaft are stripped or the differential is gone. 2nd option is the most plausible. Water probably killed it.

Sorry, I can't help you with your kick start issues.

Thanks man... Due to the size of the pieces and the lack of noise, I think it's the splines on the shaft, but I'm not getting ebay happy until I check it out to be sure.

Good news on the kick start shaft though... while trying to get it back in, I managed to drop the washer off the very end of the shaft...so now I'm removing both clutches anyway.... TO SPLIT THE CASES!!!! lol You've gotta just laugh it off sometimes.

[ailll1]

Good news on the kick start shaft though... while trying to get it back in, I managed to drop the washer off the very end of the shaft...so now I'm removing both clutches anyway.... TO SPLIT THE CASES!!!! lol You've gotta just laugh it off sometimes.

I like how you see this positively!!! You'll get alot of experience from this engine and that's the good new. Keep it up and like you said: You've gotta just laugh it off.