Clutch dragging

[Mike52]

Got the clutches dragging in both my 85 400 wr and my 86 240 wr . :'(
Oil used in both gearboxes is ST30 Penrite as used in Briggs and Stratton motors.
Both clutches were free on assembly and are now a pain in the A*&^.
Ran the 400 yesterday and it was fine , today is another story.
Ran the 240 today and yep .
Should I change to ATF or has someone got another solution.
Over adjusting the clutches makes no difference.

[evo550]

How is the clutch basket, notches will prevent the plates from completely disengaging therefore dragging.

[Mike52]

How is the clutch basket, notches will prevent the plates from completely disengaging therefore dragging.

Na , know about that one.
Am thinking that the oil has made the plates swell as they have been sitting dry for a loooong time.

[oldfart]

Mike , keep ATF fluid out of 2T gear boxs as it will kill your bearings.

[PEZBerq]

Mike

I use Castrol VMX80 without any drag problems. My 82 430XC clutch is much easier to use after I fitted the 86 model longer actuator arm. The 84 240 WR is still a bit heavy to pull in even with the 86 arm and after dressing the wear notches on the basket. Never had clutches drag though - just heavy pull. The 84 is getting a new basket soon and hopefully that will help. I would have no probs trying another oil though if people have recommendations. Good luck 

[PEZBerq]

Re learnt an old trick today  Lubricated the clutch cable and hey presto clutch pull significantly easier.  Wouldn't have believed it unless I felt it for myself. Thought the cable was fine when tested loose by hand. Lubed it with WD40 and it became heaps easier to pull the clutch lever. This was a fairly new Terry cable.

[mainline]

Re learnt an old trick today  Lubricated the clutch cable and hey presto clutch pull significantly easier.  Wouldn't have believed it unless I felt it for myself. Thought the cable was fine when tested loose by hand. Lubed it with WD40 and it became heaps easier to pull the clutch lever. This was a fairly new Terry cable.

I meant to actually post something on that subject. I got around to doing some long overdue maintenance yesterday and had bought one of those clamp-on cable lube thingy's a while back. Couldn't believe the difference in the front brake action after I'd used it.

[PEZBerq]

Ahhh ....one of those clamp on tocklers do you mean mainline? I hear they bring tears to the eyes 

[Mike52]

Na guys the lever is as light as [with a 2 finger Magura lever] but you can,t clutch start the beasties.
That second 240 in the picture I just posted of the two 240,s is the same.
Can,t push them in gear when cold , with the clutch in of course.
You can rock them back and forth and the clutch won,t release.
Take them for a run and all is fine.
Sort of like the old  TY 250s.
So that,s 3 of them the same and me with a busted kickstart foot.
Bummer. :'(
Got a ride coming up next weekend and it,s gunna hurt my foot again I just know it.

[Mike52]

Pulled the cover of one of the 240,s today for a look and the plates were stuck together.
Needed a screwdriver to unstick them [ clutch was pulled to bits and the plates were in my hand ]
Clutch basket on this one is brand new so there are no wear marks at all.
Had this trouble with a TY250 and even installed the special Yamaha "V" rings between the plates with no joy.
Sold it to a guy who started it and snicked it into gear, shifted my water tank when he did that . I had warned him about the clutch.
Bit of a worry this. :'(

[mainline]

Ahhh ....one of those clamp on tocklers do you mean mainline? I hear they bring tears to the eyes 

sorry missed that post. Yes, they're like vice grips. You have to make sure they're adjusted right before you commit

[huskibul]

    Mike, iam going thru the same thing on one of my 83' huskys (xc250) i reckon the fibre plates get soft and slightly grow and/ or separate off the aluminiun plate as they get older ? they stick if you sit the bike for a while (week or two) once you release them -first  push off and slip/fan it for a minute   and  there ok until next time,iam going to track down down some new steel replacements soon -i have been using Belray gearsaver oil but dont think it's oil related , maybe your's are the same problem .cheers

[Husabergpete]

Stick to VMX 80. Advice given to me for my CR 430 XC 250 CR 125 1981 etc from a member of the Swedish Husqvarna factory team that had Alberg in it.

Pete

[490 tez]

allso check the little thrust bearing on the end of the push rod the rollers come out and the clutch lifts one side only letting it drag a bit quick check with clutch pulled in rotate the engine to see if one side is tight and one loose with a small screw drive dont push to hard but  good luck

[Mike52]

Thanks for the interest guys.
I probably should have said clutch plates STICKING in the heading.
When I assembled these motors I gave them a turn over with the clutch cover off and worked the clutch to make sure all was well. Went through the gears. Just a general look for any problems.
This is something I do on every motor I rebuild.
All was well. I went for a ride and all was well.
Next time I went to start it I noticed that the plates were stuck together. [Was trying to find neutral ]
Pulled the cover off and dismantled the clutch.
 Held the clutch plates in my hand and they stayed together in a lump.
Trick is that this is happening on 3 bikes one of which has a complete new clutch.
You can put the bike in any gear , pull the clutch in and rock the bike and the clutch will NOT let go.
Take it for a run and it,s ok until it cools down then back to the problem.
Huskibul appears to have the same problem.
Will try Husabergpete,s suggested oil type next.