Posts
6330
Joined
11/25/2007
Location
Athens, GA, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/27/2012 11:51am
I took riding lessons last month and my instructor said my bike's clutch is almost fried and that is why I'm having a hard time on starts.
I've never changed a clutch in my bike - is there anything I need to do other than swapping out new plates for old? I read somewhere that the new plates have to be soaked in oil.
I've never changed a clutch in my bike - is there anything I need to do other than swapping out new plates for old? I read somewhere that the new plates have to be soaked in oil.
If you have any mechanical ability at all, its easy.
5 or 6 bolts hold the clutch pressure plate and springs in place, pull the old plates out and put the new ones in.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Also, I know the thoughts on soaking clutches or not, but all I ever did was coat each fiber plate with some oil before install. I never had clutch issues and was a 125 int.
That's exactly how my old roommate did it - right at the track before his race.
He raced 250 A & 125 A.
Queen* I would be careful changing the gearing. I believe beginners should keep everything as stock as possible. Even with the gearing, unless you are have some crazy riding conditions, learn to ride it stock. (everyone has a different opinion on this)
Adding a tooth will help the bike rev faster but that may not help you. It will also make you shift and use the clutch more (assuming you use it on shifts). It will make your bike want to wheelie off the start as well.
Why are you getting bad starts? Technique? Bad gate selection? Aggressive? Reaction time?
So I had two issues. First when I let the clutch out to find when it starts to pull a little I'd feel it grab off and on. It's hard to explain. It wasn't very noticeable but the instructor said that's a sign that the clutch needs attention. The other thing is after dumping the clutch and shifting to second it often bogged a little, even with fanning the clutch. In case you were wondering the whole top end was redone a few months ago (new piston & rings). I was running pump gas that day and haven't had race gas since then to see if that makes starting any easier.
It is probably something I'm doing wrong with technique, but it seemed like I was doing everything OK. He didn't stop to correct me with starts like other riders in the class (he did correct me on braking - a lot!).
Do you drain it hot?
If the oil has a black or dark gray look to it, the clutch will need attention.
A KX250 at WFO should not bog much
Watch the board handler, most important, watch the board go sideways and count 1000, 2000, 3000, etc; until the gate drops. Line up for your moto, board sideways, count and leave on your count that you just studied half the day. At an amatuer event, you'll make it 99 times out of a 100 across the gate and be one of the front runners into the turn. (Do not shut off until you know it's the last possible moment to brake and get back on the gas.) DON'T worry where or what anyone else is doing.
That's a holeshot.
Pit Row
Stopping or slowing for the first turn is important for holeshots too. Practice running up to something and breaking as hard as you can. Practice 1 finger locking the front wheel until it slides then easing off.
Your ears are very important to holeshots too. Listen for all the others to shut down on the throttle before you do.
Did I mention practice?
One thing that seems to help with the launch is to have your boots in front of the pegs, then get your upper half leaning forward by bending at the waist. When you dump the clutch and snap the throttle wide open, all your feet need to do is raise up an inch or so. Learning to take off in 2nd gear makes it easier, as you have a longer amount of time before the shift to 3rd needs to occur.
Point A to point B shortest distance.
I always walk the first turn to find the rut I want.
2nd gear starts.
Even on a 250F.
Most like both feet down.
I like my left foot up on the peg ready for the next shift cause it is going to come quick.
Watch for the 30 second board to go sideways.
Then... tip your head down.
Watch the gate and nothing else.
Clutch lever out just to engagement not moving the bike.
1/2 throttle steady. Don't whick it in and out.
Feather the clutch to get out of a most likely rutted start area.
Twist the throttle to the nines and let the clutch work for you getting out of the gate.
Ignore your periphreal vision. Look straight forward and nail it like you are the only one on the track.
You 'feel' the other bikes around you but stay focused on the first turn.
In your mind they are going to chicken out.
Brake at the lost possible second and you have it.
I have holeshotted so many races but I am not good enough to hold the lead.
It is a weird twist when you holeshot a lot that most of your racing is getting passed by faster riders instead of coming from behind and / or passing other riders.
works like a charm.
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