Pictures!! 1983 YT clutch failure

[RubberSalt]

Was racing around yesterday. At the beginning of 1 of my runs, the clutch slipped. It engaged soon as i let off the gas and shifted to neutral and back to first. Flew down the strip, hit second, hit the brakes(trees) and parked it so it would cool off. Came back 20-30 minutes later and started it, it wouldn't engage any gears. Tried all 5 gear sand nothing. Check the oil and saw a metal chunk.. then i pulled the cover off and here ya go.

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7530/badclutch1.jpg
http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/3199/badclutch2.jpg
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4653/badclutch3.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4156/badclutch4.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/2227/badclutch5.jpg
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9946/badclutch6.jpg

[RubberSalt]

After i got back home, i realised i didn't use any tools to remove the clutches. The nut that holds the clutches to the shaft in there, was just laying around. I don't know who got in there, if anyone, but it looked factory (and was). All the clutches measured within brand new spec - same with my spares.

After studying the clutches, i took note of the 10 steel balls in it. From my understanding, the 10 balls move outwards when the clutch is spinning(engine running). When enough force is applied to the clutch plates from the balls, the clutches engage and the bike rolls. So, removing balls should make it engage later, giving it kind of a stall?

Anyways, i built up a 2nd set of clutches with 6 balls instead of 10. Got everything assembled and adjusted, then went to the back yard. Slowly hit the gas. Damn bike wouldn't roll to maybe 3000-3500RPM (just a guess). It used to go soon as i hit the gas, not any more, gotta build speed. This, coupled with the port job of the cylinder on it, is AWESOME.

I cant wait to finish my other cylinder and have it bored with the big reeds - it's going to be extra extra scary and awesome. Currently, you cant steer it at speed while your humping the handle bars. The wheel just floats during the first 2 gears. I wish the yard was bigger to test the higher gears.

[Chazz of Blades]

Now why exactly would you even want a throttle to acceleration lag like that? More RPMs on takeoff?

[RubberSalt]

Exactly. Get it out of the bottom end before you even start going. As a 2 stroke, and my style of riding, I'm usualy in the upper RPM range. The bigger carb i tossed on it hurt the bottom end some, but gave it plenty up top! :)

[fabiodriven]

I have never seen a more destroyed clutch in my life.

[250x]

hey, don't know how to tell you this, but it might be your clutch......sheesh thats weinered.

[RubberSalt]

I spent about 2 hours power washing it to make sure it was clean, i kept going at it until i couldn't get any more fluid outta it. Then i filled it full of diesel fuel, then drained than and repeated 3 times Until it came out clean looking twice. Then i filled it full of ATF type F, ran that for about 30 minutes, I'll be changing that today.


I like my clutches to be clean! lol

[RubberSalt]

So far, testing the clutch with 6 balls instead of the 10 has really made a difference. The RPMs are much higher before it starts to roll. This is about where I'd like it. After changing the fluid, it didn't look bad or anything. I may jump back in there and pull 2 more balls out, leaving it with only 4.

[Vealmonkey]

And this is why people would change over to manual clutches.

[RubberSalt]

I wish i had the parts - I'd do it in a heartbeat lol. With my tax return, I'd like to buy a manual setup, but until then, the clutch work is nice.