Clutch Question - RM250

[joeym4130]

I had a general clutch question, is the clutch supposed to be working when the engine is off?

Like if the bike is in 1st and you hold the clutch in and roll it, should it roll freely?

On my 250 if I do that, the engine turns over while rolling.

I hear a chirping noise from the clutch area of the motor sometimes....AND

Sometimes its hard to get it into 1st gear from neutral too. I'm taking the clutch cover off tonight, anything I should be looking for? Read something about notches in the basket.? it'll be my first time inside the clutch on a motorcycle! Only ever did my car's!

i have to admit it is a lot of fun working on it though, even though i'd rather ride it.

 

[trial_07]

For sure you'll feel a drag when you try pushing the bike with the engine off. My bike does the same as yours and it has new plates and basket.

 

[BSWIFT]

Sometimes its hard to get it into 1st gear from neutral too. I'm taking the clutch cover off tonight, anything I should be looking for? Read something about notches in the basket.? it'll be my first time inside the clutch on a motorcycle!

You can lay the bike on its side and pull the cover without draining the oil. Remove the six bolt/springs that hold the pressure plate in. Remove the plates one at a time and keep them in order. Run your finger down the splines of the basket, it should be smooth. If it has notches, you'll feel them. When you reassemble, flip each plate over and re-install. The 'tangs' on the fiber plates can get a burr on them where they engage the basket. By flipping them over, you put the burr on the not stress side of the basket tines. This should only take 20 minutes. Button it back up and ride it and see if the same issues remain. The dragging is normal with the engine off. The chirping noise I don't have a clue about.

 

[joeym4130]

Well clutch looks ok.

But I found the noise chirping problem.

When I pulled the crankcase cover, two mangled pieces of metal fell out. Saw it was a screw . hm.

MY Exhaust Valve Actuator EXPLODED :bang:

The bolt up in the top end of the powervalve actuator which holds the outer lever on, somehow backed out, fell down into the lower crankcase, where it was promptly annhilated by the system... leaving me two chunks of mangled bolt when I pulled the cover.

Everything in the crankcase looks a-ok though. The bike was only run for a minute or two after that chirping sound was noticed. fortunately....

I'm taking the cylinder off later to check the valves themselves... might as well do the whole top end now haha.