350x maiden voyage-pic attatched- need clutch help

[userj8670]

Took my 350x out on it maiden voyage and turns out my engine needs a clutch. Are the Honda ones still available? Any special tools needed to do a clutch? (never done one trailprotrailpro) tips of tricks?

Thanks! !

[yaegerb]

Needs a clutch? I thought there was a new one in there? What happened?

[userj8670]

Was gonna do one but figured I'd roll the dice....I lost lol

[RIDE-RED 250r]

It's more difficult to type out the process than it is to do the job. Get yourself a service manual download here http://www.oscarmayer.net/atc/manuals/

Read up and get er' done!

As for clutch kits, myself I would probably do the whole shebang being as you have no idea how old all of the components are (steel plates, fiber discs, and springs). Also, if your pressure plate and basket surfaces are well worn as 30 year old parts could very well be, that's all the more reason to replace all of the clutch wear components this time around. Once the pressure plate and/or basket are worn to the point that the clutch still slips even with fresh plates, discs, and springs, the only fix is new/better condition pressure plate and basket.

You should be able to source the clutch parts at places like Rocky Mountain ATV, Dennis Kirk, etc...

[yaegerb]

What is it acting like Jim? Why do you think you need a new one?

[userj8670]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't know if I need any special tools or if it can be done with with a standard tools. How long does it take?

Brendon- the clutch is very sensitive. When the lever is at is full release position, I only have to pull /move it the thickness of a human hair if not less and that's the difference between engaged / disengaged. Additionally when I am at a stand still and go to take off, the clutch does make a noise when u go to take off no matter how gently I release it. It's not slipping in the lower gears but in the higher gears it will if I grab a lot of throttle. I have adjusted the cables to the best of my ability with no real improvement.

[userj8670]

For what ever it's worth to, on my ride today I noticed that (well into the ride) I was unable to get the bike into neutral. I would just go from 1st to 2nd no matter how much I tried to get it into neutral when we would stop.

One other observation to is that (towards the end of the ride) the kicker became extremely difficult to operate upon restarts. Very stiff/tight. Is this common?

[atcmatt]

The stiff kicker has probably got to to with incorrect adjustment on the decompression cable. I'd say that when all the top end gets hot, components expand and throw the adjustment out. There is a fine line between them being adjusted incorrectly and correctly I have found. Refer to the manual and it will tell you how to adjust it to spec.

Matt

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Sounds like the clutch basket fingers may be grooved and in need of cleaning up

[yaegerb]

Sounds like the clutch basket fingers may be grooved and in need of cleaning up

X2.....take the clutch off and pull the plates and and take us a shot of the basket fingers.

[userj8670]

Gimme a day or two. ..

[userj8670]

I hope to tear into the clutch tonight. Never done this before so I will be posting questions I'm sure.

[userj8670]

Didn't get as far as I wanted due to time but I made a good start. The instructions say to 'unstake' the 27mm nut...I assume that means bend the crushed in part out?

The seals and bearings all look good but if there's anything I should replace while I'm in there please chime in!

P.s. I did clean the screen:cool:

[yaegerb]

Yep, bend the tang back on the lock washer and its 10 times easier just to zip that nut of with an impact.

[Mackus84]

X2.....take the clutch off and pull the plates and and take us a shot of the basket fingers.

Agreed. X3... i was having clutch issues and didnt even think about the basket being grooved/worn. Mr YaegerB pointed me in the right direction and sure enough, the basket was grooved bad. Filed them carefully to smooth them out. Bada bing, bada boom

[userj8670]

Thanks for the replies! I will do my best to get them apart this evening then place an order for clutch & plates tonight from Honda East Toledo.

Where to get springs though as Honda ones are discontinued?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

You don't need to unstake the clutch hub nut and remove the clutch to simply replace the discs, plates, and springs. All you have to do is remove the springs as you have, remove the pressure plate, and then all the plates and discs will slide right out.

However, if the clutch basket fingers are grooved, removing the clutch from the engine does make for easier filing and prevents unwanted filings from finding their way into the engine as they would likely do if you filed the fingers with the clutch installed.

Clutch kits and components: Here is an example of what just one online vendor offers for the 350x http://www.bikebandit.com/aftermarket-parts/1985-honda-atc350x-transmission/pl0?m=1916

[userj8670]

Got new clutch and plates ordered- bought OEM from Hindu East Toledo. Spec'd everything out - seem good to go! The inner and out clutch baskets do have markings which I imagine I have to file down (dammit!)

Need to find clutch springs- I think Barnett is a good brand. Anyone???

Red and Brendon - see attached pic of baskets

Anyone know a good tool for holding the clutch (when putting the nut on)

[RIDE-RED 250r]

It does look like those basket fingers need resurfacing, but I've seen worse brought back to good working order, so you should be fine. A steady hand with a fine flat file will do the trick.

Clutch springs: Yeah, Barnett should be fine. I prefer HD clutch springs myself and if I recall Barnett only offers HD springs. Yes, they will give you a heavier clutch lever but I like the added insurance against slippage with higher HP machines. Just my personal preference.

If you don't have a clutch holder for torquing the hub nut, it's not too hard to make one with two pieces of sturdy flat stock with a 90 degree bend about 1" from the end of each. Hold the two pieces like scissors and mock up the best fit with the clutch hub grooves. Mark the point of intersection on each piece, drill a hole and bolt them together. Viola, home made clutch hub holder. I had one of these kicking around somewhere......

[honda250sx]

Look at you go. Still living out this way I see. Living in Wilson these days. Should grab a beer.