Clutch creeping

**Blair.DRZ** · 16th March 2009, 09:16

Got a good deal on a 06 WRF250 so was expecting there maybe a few little adjustments to be made on it so heres the first one. Have found that when in first with the clutch fully in, the bike very slowly creeps forward, nothing too major, but want to try and sort it now before it gets worse.
Anyone else had this issue and what did you do to fix it, trying to avoid having to take it to the shop and pay my hard earned money( bit broke now until I sell my old bike ).
Any help greatly appreciated !!!

**awayatc** · 16th March 2009, 09:25

the obvious ones to check is the cable adjustment....i.e enough freeplay, or does the clutch grab just of the handlebar...
And the quantity and quality of engine oil.....
(some oils/additives "friction enhancers" not good for clutch.
If that fails You need to pull clutch side apart, and maybe clutchplates just need a clean....
Otherwise new plates and or springs..
Not very hard to do.
Good luck

**LittleJohn** · 16th March 2009, 09:48

Originally Posted by awayatc

the obvious ones to check is the cable adjustment....i.e enough freeplay, or does the clutch grab just of the handlebar...
And the quantity and quality of engine oil.....
(some oils/additives "friction enhancers" not good for clutch.
If that fails You need to pull clutch side apart, and maybe clutchplates just need a clean....
Otherwise new plates and or springs..
Not very hard to do.
Good luck

Defenately check the transmission oil, my KX clutch doesn't work well on Bel-ray but sweet on Motul....

If cable adjustment is ok and the cable itself is good then the common causes could be:
Clutch plates warped.
Friction plates swallon.
Clutch nut not torqued correctly.
clutch springs not to specification
Clutch spring nuts not torqued correctly.

The clutch is really simple, you just need to start with the cable adjusment, if that doesn't work then drop the oil, start by checking the plates and torque settings. Then put everything back together, get a good quality oil and try that.

**Blair.DRZ** · 16th March 2009, 09:56

The cable seems ok, doesn't grab just off the handlebar, the problem only seems to be noticeable when the bike is hot, so will try changing the oil. When i got it the guy said he just changed the oil but I didn't ask what he used, so maybe hes put some crap oil in it, will get some Motul or something and see how that goes before I start pulling things apart.

**LittleJohn** · 16th March 2009, 10:18

Sweet as,

Check out this site: http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp

It has some manuals for an 03 WRF250.

**cheese** · 16th March 2009, 10:37

If you have a look at the clutch basket you might find that its got a heap of grooves in it where the plates sit. Not likely given the age on the bike, but possible.

But yeah I'd start with an oil change.

**kezzafish** · 16th March 2009, 10:49

Originally Posted by Blair.DRZ

The cable seems ok, doesn't grab just off the handlebar, the problem only seems to be noticeable when the bike is hot, so will try changing the oil. When i got it the guy said he just changed the oil but I didn't ask what he used, so maybe hes put some crap oil in it, will get some Motul or something and see how that goes before I start pulling things apart.

overfilled oil can cause this problem and this would explain why it does it when hot... cos the oil, metal (clutch plates) etc expand in heat so your overfilled bike becomes even more overfilled when hot and your swollen clutch plates start to grab. Check the level and find the what the manufacturers specs are for oil level at running temperature or at cold (they will be different levels)

**pete.ktm** · 16th March 2009, 22:35

theres *alot* of clutch info for wr250f's over on thumpertalk.com.

my dealer denied any problems with the clutch but alot of guys are replacing the springs with yz springs, packing the bolts with washers, using honda plates etc etc.

theres lots of copies of the service manual in pdf form on the net, let me know if you want a copy and can't find it.

**Blair.DRZ** · 17th March 2009, 07:25

Cheers Pete.ktm, I did try and search for a copy of the service manual but couldn't find a free one ( my internet search skills are pretty shit), sooooo if you have a link for one or a copy that would be brilliant !!!

**theblacksmith** · 17th March 2009, 07:58

Weird how it does this when hot! Usually most oils thin as they get warmer.Try an oil change - to what you normally use and give it a good workout to see what happens.