1974 Honda XL 250 Clutch Problem

[REL]

Hi there. I could use some input. I recently bought a 1974 Honda XL
250 and it feels like (and seems like) the clutch is not engaging. It
starts on the first kick and idles great in neutral (even in my cold
Chicago garage).

When I pull the clutch and shift into first, it jumps and stalls. If
put the bike into gear when the engine is off and pull the clutch, I
can tell the clutch is not engaged because the bike will not roll
freely. Anybody have a similar experience?

I'll likely have it serviced though want to be more knowledgeable
before I take it to the shop. As an aside, the clutch cable is plenty
tight and the actuator arm is moving, etc. Lastly, any
recommendations for a shop in the City?

Thanks.

Rick

[Jeff Stephens]

It sounds like the clutch plates are just stuck together, it’s rather common if bikes sit to long with out being ran. 

 

You should be able to free it by putting the bike in gear (not running) then hold in the clutch and rock back and forth till it starts to move with out trying to turn over the motor.  Then you can start the bike, let it warm up fully while holding the clutch lever in, then put the front tire against the wall or something that wont move, keep the rpm’s up and clutch still pulled in, then drop it in to gear.  If that doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have to pull the clutch apart and separate the discs with a flat blade screw driver.

 

   Godffery's Garage

 http://tinyurl.com/yfrw4fc  

 Ph# 262 210-9269  ( between 9;am & 9:pm)

8010 Gateway Drive, Burlington WI. 53105

[REL]

OK...with the freakish warm weather in Chicago on Friday, I started up
my CL 100 and my XL 250. I put the front wheel of the XL 250 against
a large, immobile object, revved up the bike, prepared for the worst,
and dropped it into gear. Alas...nothing, or maybe something. Either
way, I think the clutch did un-stick. I was not vaulted across my
alley or onto the el tracks, so that's good.

Now, I may have a new problem (or a variant of the old problem). The
bike is definitely in gear. I will not roll while in gear with the
engine off (whereas before, it would roll while in gear). So it
appears that the clutch is no longer stuck engaged. But...when I have
the engine idling and shift into first, I can hear the bike go into
gear, but when I let the clutch out, it does not catch. Before, it
would lurch forward and stall. Now, I can feel the clutch start to
grab, the bike creeps forward, and then nothing. Clutch out, bike
idling, but not moving forward. I also hear a metallic ping inside
the engine case (sounds like the right side). Not a gnashing or
grinding noise, but a "ding...ding" that's synced with the stroke. I
have not wanted to mess with it too much for fear that the metal sound
is something that's causing damage. All I did was un-stick the clutch
(I think) and adjust the clutch cable inside the rubber bung.

Time to have my shop pick up the bike? I'm hoping this is a simple
adjustment. Thanks.

Rick

[Jeff Stephens]

How much play do you have in the lever / cable at the top?  You should have at least 1/8^th “, if not back it off then try it.

How long was the bike sitting? Dose the oil seem muddy or creamy? Sometimes I have found so much rust in the clutch, that partials get stuck in the basket preventing consistent engaging and disengaging.  

 

 Better yet, just call me and we can try to trouble shoot this over the phone.

 

   Godffery's Garage

 http://tinyurl.com/yfrw4fc  

 Ph# 262 210-9269 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: chivi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:chivi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of REL
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 7:48 AM

OK...with the freakish warm weather in Chicago on Friday, I started up my CL 100 and my XL 250.  I put the front wheel of the XL 250 against

A large, immobile object, revved up the bike, prepared for the worst, and dropped it into gear.  Alas...nothing, or maybe something.  Either way, I think the clutch did un-stick.  I was not vaulted across my alley or onto the el tracks, so that's good.