Adjust on the fly 05 CRF450

[ALB]

1st off if this question has already been addressed,I apologise ahead of time.(I hunted but didn't find it) My 05 CRF450 is the first 4 stroke race machine I have ever owned,so I am asking questions.I replaced my entire stock clutch with Hinson ie: basket,inner hub and pressure plate and since the change out the clutch works fine.However it seems like I have to adjust more on the fly than with the stock clutch,the clutch pack is new to go along with the new Hinson components so I wouldn't think it would be because of wear.When I raced we didn't have adjust on the fly and to be honest we didn't need it,so my understanding of it is very limited.Could someone please give me some insight on why the newer clutches require adjust on the fly,and why I have to adjust more with the Hinson than stock????? Thanks ahead of time!

 

[fnengineer]

I don't think it has anything to do with the Hinson basket. I have noticed that when I put in a new clutch (a few per year) for the first several rides I am adjusting it alot.

 

[ALB]

I can understand the need for the plates to seat,but what I don't understand is why the newer clutches have the need for the adjustment.(what causes it) I see other riders adjusting on a regular basis as the day goes on,the clutch pack and the configuration of the clutch seem to be pretty much the same as those of the old days(70s) and their need for adjustment was much less than those of today,basicly the only adjustment needed for the older clutches was due to cable stretch and then it was only once in a while, ie: adjust and ride for another week or two.Are the plates of today made of a different material or in a different way then older clutch plates,are the springs made different or of a weaker tention? Im simply trying to understand the newer clutches and why they react the way they do.Thanks

 

[jumpingjoe628]

What are you useing for metal plates, steel or aluminum? The stockers are usually aluminum and thats probably the first mod I do to any Honda. I will say this though, I just rode an 06 CRF250 and didn't have to touch the adjuster at all and it was fine. On the same day I rode an 05 CRF450 with stock plates and it too was fine. The aluminum ones tend to grab more but wear out faster and leave the oil a little more dirty as with the steel ones they don't quite have the gripping power but last a lot longer. You shouldn't have to adjust the lever unless you are really fanning the clutch alot and getting it, then you are just heating them up too much and they are warping. Try to stick with the stock Honda fibers too, they are thicker on the ends where they meet the basket and will wear less.

 

[ALB]

Thanks jumpingjoe628,since posting my last question I have indeed replaced the stock aluminum with steel.The reason for my concern was that prior to the original post it seemed that I had to adjust a WHOLE BUNCH for some reason and I never had to before(when runnung stock clutch on a fairly new(25hrs)machine.Yesterday I was changing out my clutch lever assembly to an aftermarket version(thumb lever hot start)and darned if I didn't find out why I had to adjust so much,the problem with the adjustment began after I had gone back to a conventional clutch from a Rekluse(great product,but old dogs and new tricks kinda thing)with the Rekluse your clutch cable contracts and retracts with changes in RPM so when I was installing the cable on to the new perch lever I noticed something odd,it seemed like something was odd about the outside sheath of the cable and as it turns out the constant contracting and retracting of the cable broke the cable sheath loose between the inline adjuster and the quick adjuster and was causing it to bind up so during riding the adjustment would change a bunch and require a lot of adjustment on the fly.Well I replaced the cable and the adjustment problem is gone and everything works like new,so thanks for your help and to those who use the Rekluse I would suggest keeping a close eye on the cable because when the sheath breaks loose you can barely see it,and adjustment on the Rekluse is VITAL! Thanks again :cool: