2002 RM125 Clutch issues! Please help!!

[Russb]

I just bought this RM125 and notice that as i let the clutch out....as it starts to grab...it starts snatching hard. As u get moving it feels fine...power is great. By snatching i mean as it starts to pull.....it starts jerking and releasing. Then as i let it all the way out...it feels fine...no slipping under power. Is there an adjusment or a way to shim the clutch. He said he had just installed a new clutch and sai that the jerking was normal! He sold the bike to my son...and i know for a fact that the jerking is not normal. It definitely feels clutch related!
Thanks for your help!!
Russ

 

[Chili]

Likely a notched up clutch basket and/or hub. Pull the clutch apart to inspect.

 

[Russb]

What do you mean by notched up clutch basket??

 

[Chili]

The basket and hub that the clutch plates sit between develops notches or grooves and the surface. Once this happens then the plates don't engage and disengage smoothly, sometimes jerking or sticking.

This is a very common issue with Suzuki clutches.

These were just some quick examples located with a google search.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

There are 2 positions, engaged and dis-engaged. Clutch slipping, feathering are very detrimental to your clutch. Check it that it does not look like Chili's pics. Keep the oil changed, and do not be abusive on the clutch.

 

[robwbright]

If the basket is notched, you can file the notches down and get a bit more wear out of it.

Those parts are pretty expensive.

 

[Chili]

If the basket is notched, you can file the notches down and get a bit more wear out of it.

Those parts are pretty expensive.

Keeping in mind you are increasing the tolerances for the plate tabs which accelerates the wear to the basket and the clutch plates.

 

[2-Strokes 4-ever]

Aftermarket billet basket... $175-250. Suzuki OEM hub... about $50. Aftermarket billet hubs are SO pricey that we just keep a close eye on the OEM ones and replace as needed (whenever new plates are installed.) The aftermarket baskets are WAY better/longer lasting than the stock stuff. For your gear oil, I have found the thin automotive ATF type F to work quite well with Suzukis (helps eliminate drag.) As said prior: change oil often, we change every 4-5 running hours.

 

[Chili]

Aftermarket billet basket... $175-250. Suzuki OEM hub... about $50. Aftermarket billet hubs are SO pricey that we just keep a close eye on the OEM ones and replace as needed (whenever new plates are installed.) The aftermarket baskets are WAY better/longer lasting than the stock stuff. For your gear oil, I have found the thin automotive ATF type F to work quite well with Suzukis (helps eliminate drag.) As said prior: change oil often, we change every 4-5 running hours.

That's the setup and fluid we've run in pretty much every Suzuki 2 stroke we've ever owned.

 

[robwbright]

Aftermarket billet basket... $175-250. Suzuki OEM hub... about $50. Aftermarket billet hubs are SO pricey that we just keep a close eye on the OEM ones and replace as needed (whenever new plates are installed.) The aftermarket baskets are WAY better/longer lasting than the stock stuff. For your gear oil, I have found the thin automotive ATF type F to work quite well with Suzukis (helps eliminate drag.) As said prior: change oil often, we change every 4-5 running hours.

Any particular brand ATF Type F? I've been running Mobil 1 15w50, and was about to switch to 80 wt Bel Ray synthetic.

Also, I have a strange issue - mine hits neutral 10-20% of the time when shifting from 2nd to 1st.

Ideas?

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Worn shifting forks, or something loose behind the clutch on the shift drum.

 

[2-Strokes 4-ever]

Any particular brand ATF Type F?

We really get clutches hot in the tight trail stuff. We use the cheap stuff (since it's changed so often.) It's called Coastal (Auto Zone's.) Ran Valvoline ATF a couple times too... couldn't tell a difference between the two.

 

[matt_12345]

my rm 250 did the exact same thing all last year and when i pulled it apart in winter i found that 2 clutch plates were broken and thye were worn out.. just by replacing the fiber plates it made the clutch perform much more smoothly and it felt stronger. then i bought a hinson clutch basket on ebay which only made it better