2018 KTM 250SXF Clutch Sticking

Rohr144
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Rohr144
I just got this bike, it has 21 hours on it. The first 19 hours were put on it by an MX A class rider. The bike has apparently been sitting for most of the last year or so. I noticed it had notchy shifting and narrowed it down to the clutch not engaging all the way.. started the bike up today and now when you pull in the clutch and put it in first gear, it dies immediately.

I took the clutch plates out and they don't look burnt, aren't black or blue. But they stick together quite a bit. The oil is what's making them stick together.

Are these plates still usable? They aren't burnt, just sticking. I have a hinson clutch plate set ordered, but I'm wondering if the oem set is still usable after cleaning them up.
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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 4/19/2021 4:51pm
4/19/2021 4:51pm
They should still be usable. Just clean and oil soak them prior to installing them.

Paw Paw
Rohr144
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Rohr144 4/19/2021 5:18pm
4/19/2021 5:18pm
Paw Paw 271 wrote:
They should still be usable. Just clean and oil soak them prior to installing them.

Paw Paw
Any method I should use to clean them other than a cloth? I saw on youtube that someone soaked his plates in Coca Cola. wasn't sure if that was a good idea or bad idea.
soggy
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soggy 4/19/2021 5:35pm
4/19/2021 5:35pm
Ironically my 19 350 has a similar issue. On the first start up of the day unless I keep some throttle on or have it on the stand it will stall when I throw it into gear. Only happens on the first start up of the day and is fine after that. I assumed the plates are sticking slightly.
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DynoDan22
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DynoDan22 4/19/2021 8:40pm
4/19/2021 8:40pm
Try bleeding the clutch and if you're running the stock clutch lever, max out the throw by turning the adjuster clockwise all the way in and back it out 5 clicks. That's where I run mine. If I back it out any further, it lurches in gear. It's something I've noticed on my last two 350's.
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FGR01
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FGR01 4/19/2021 9:12pm
4/19/2021 9:12pm
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus 10-50 and change every 5 hrs.
Rohr144
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Rohr144 4/19/2021 9:43pm
4/19/2021 9:43pm
FGR01 wrote:
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus...
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus 10-50 and change every 5 hrs.
The guy before me said he ran rotella. I put Maxima Synblend 10-40 in and noticed the notchy shifting. So I put the Motorex Cross Power 10-50 in, what the manual calls for. That's when I got the clutch plates sticking together.
stone881
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stone881 4/19/2021 9:47pm
4/19/2021 9:47pm
soggy wrote:
Ironically my 19 350 has a similar issue. On the first start up of the day unless I keep some throttle on or have it on...
Ironically my 19 350 has a similar issue. On the first start up of the day unless I keep some throttle on or have it on the stand it will stall when I throw it into gear. Only happens on the first start up of the day and is fine after that. I assumed the plates are sticking slightly.
Every 4 stroke KTM I have had does this. I always assumed it has something to do w the clutch being hydraulic.
soggy
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soggy 4/20/2021 6:59pm
4/20/2021 6:59pm
FGR01 wrote:
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus...
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus 10-50 and change every 5 hrs.
I’m running the same oil. But like I said it only happens the first time I throw it in gear for first time. If I keep the revs ups when I throw it in gear it’s fine. And the rest of the day I don’t have any problems. I am going to bleed the clutch again soon. Does everyone use the slavens kit? Or reverse bleed?
FGR01
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FGR01 4/20/2021 7:01pm
4/20/2021 7:01pm
FGR01 wrote:
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus...
What oil are you guys running? I've had my 350 1.5 years, 45 hours. Clutch is perfect and doesn't drag at all. Been running Maxima Pro-Plus 10-50 and change every 5 hrs.
soggy wrote:
I’m running the same oil. But like I said it only happens the first time I throw it in gear for first time. If I keep...
I’m running the same oil. But like I said it only happens the first time I throw it in gear for first time. If I keep the revs ups when I throw it in gear it’s fine. And the rest of the day I don’t have any problems. I am going to bleed the clutch again soon. Does everyone use the slavens kit? Or reverse bleed?
Yeah I would suspect an incomplete bleed would cause slight plate drag. I use a Mityvac hand vacuum. Works like a champ. Simple and quick.
YZed250
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YZed250 4/21/2021 9:24am
4/21/2021 9:24am
When I had a 2017 Husqvarna FC250 with a leaking clutch master cylinder, that thing was pretty awful at the cold shift to first gear. As soon as I installed and bled a brembo master, it was 100% better. I'd say most of these issues are due to the clutch having air in the system when cold.

I am due to bleed my clutch on my 2018 KTM . I run Castrol Power1 full synthetic 10W50, and still have some occasional stalls when shifting into 1st. Once the bike has been through the gears, its no longer a problem.
sandman768
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sandman768 4/21/2021 1:54pm
4/21/2021 1:54pm
The only time one of my KtM”s did this is, it needed a clutch fluid bleed.

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