Clutch...

**morg_nz** · 6th March 2010, 13:46

So the other day my clutch (2001 CR125) just wouldnt disengage. Took it appart, found the cable seemed to be working fine, but I think the springs were worn so am getting new ones. What i did find however was that the oil was dark grey, and very thick - almost sticky. I think something has got in via the overflow and contaminated it cause I imagine it shouldnt be that colour.

So following instructions from an ADB mag, i laid the bike on its side and pulled the clutch out etc with the oil still in it (that lasted about 5 min as i forgot about the overflow and it promptly ended up on the garage floor!). The friction plates and steels look in great condition and there apprears to be no defects in the basket that could prevent the friction plates moving freely. So I came to the conclusion that it was the oil that was causing the problem, and decided to rinse the bottom end out with petrol to remove the contaminated oil (this may be an unconventional thing to do?)

so the bike has been sitting for a day now (wanted to let all teh petrol drain and evaporate from the bottom end first), will prob put it back together tonight and see how it goes. Is there anything else i should do/look for before i put it back together?

**Buddy L** · 6th March 2010, 14:45

Use CRC Brakleen on your fibre plate in your clutch.
Cleans them up real good.
http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.n...n?openDocument

Also use them on your brake pads next time hou have them out.

**oldguy** · 6th March 2010, 19:27

Question, how often do you change your oil?

**morg_nz** · 6th March 2010, 19:34

well i've only just got the bike - prob only done about 10 hours on the bike - so it was prob due for it anyways

**barty5** · 6th March 2010, 20:09

I only ever keep it for bout 5 hours running oil is cheap compared to engine rebuilds.

**CookMySock** · 6th March 2010, 21:20

Check the bearing behind the clutch basket hasn't seized.

Steve

**morg_nz** · 7th March 2010, 11:29

Grrrrr.... I just put the clutch back together - found the basket was quite grooved so spend a lot of time smoothing that out nicely, carefully put everything back together, and before i put the cover back on i stood the bike up and put it in gear and the clutch seemed to disengage nicely for me to push the bike. The i put the cover back on a filled it with oil (650ml of gearbox oil) then wheeled the bike outside and started it - and then put it in gear and it stalled, the clutch wouldnt disengage! so im back to square one - i have no idea whats wrong!

i probably could take it into a bike shop but I'd prefer to fix it myself (even if it takes a while!)

**vr4king** · 7th March 2010, 16:19

Hmmm so if it works without the cover on im gonna guess you maybe have to many or have your plates etc set up wrong and its hitting the cover when you pull the lever

Just seems wierd that it worked fine with no cover on,my old cr125 had a nice groove worn on the inside of the cover where the the spring bolts were rubbing prob from the same thing hahahaha

**L Rider** · 7th March 2010, 18:13

Originally Posted by morg_nz

Grrrrr.... I just put the clutch back together - found the basket was quite grooved so spend a lot of time smoothing that out nicely, carefully put everything back together, and before i put the cover back on i stood the bike up and put it in gear and the clutch seemed to disengage nicely for me to push the bike. The i put the cover back on a filled it with oil (650ml of gearbox oil) then wheeled the bike outside and started it - and then put it in gear and it stalled, the clutch wouldnt disengage! so im back to square one - i have no idea whats wrong!

i probably could take it into a bike shop but I'd prefer to fix it myself (even if it takes a while!)

Try a different oil. Hubby had same problem with KX125 - used the recommended oil - no luck, changed oils & never had a problem. Bel ray was the one he had the problems with. He pulled his clutch to bits heaps of times before trying new oil (everyone told him it wouldn't be the oil).
He also had a problem with his roadbikes clutch - once again change of oil brand & it was sorted.

**CRF119** · 7th March 2010, 18:27

Ok Use Motal oil, if you cleaned ur fibers in a degreser you have made a mistake. You now must soak them in oil over night before you reaseble or you may damage them

Make sure you have filed the basket perfectly both leading and trailing edge of the basket fingers must stay parrallel for smooth operation. I have done this to every bike my mates have brought second hand works every time.

My CR125 was funny it wouldnt dissngage when it was lent over. had me confused for a bit.

**morg_nz** · 7th March 2010, 20:11

lol i dont know how i would have too many plates as i only took out what i put in, but i'm gonna have to take it back apart so i'll look for wear inside the cover - also i might take the plates back out and leave them soaking in oil overnight as i forgot to do that.

**morg_nz** · 7th March 2010, 20:18

yeah will definatly need ot soak the plates - annoyed i forgot really! yeah i took a lot of care when filing the basked and made sure both edges were parallel and straight. I will have athink about the oil too - would you think going to one with less viscocity would make the plates less likely to stick? i.e. going from 80W90 gearbox oil to 30W40 motor oil or something?

**L Rider** · 7th March 2010, 20:29

I'm unsure of the exact oil (he used whatever the manual states) except it was trans oil. But i do remember the bel ray was a thicker tackier oil then the motul. I jst did an oil change & brought Motul 2stroke trans oil for my CR80. This is same stuff thats gone into the KX125.