CG250 Clutch Spring upgrade.

[Megadan]

It's been posted on the Facebook groups here or there, but I haven't seen anything here, so for posterity sake I want to include my own review of it.

Not my discovery, just borrowing somebody else's hard work and then giving it my seal of approval. I also included it in the Upgrades part of the resource guide. I need to take the time to clean that up and add some stuff... someday.

Anyway, the clutch springs in question are these. EBC CSK41 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IUMGEY...Gbp4Rm-fWOvV3c

They are a tad shorter than the stock Hawk springs, but they are quite a bit stronger. They still preload properly when installed, and the clutch feel is greatly improved.

More importantly, and the main reason I did it... Clutch fade is greatly reduced. The clutch feel when the engine gets really hot is massively improved. I wish I would have done these from day one. Especially considering they are only $14. and can be installed in maybe 30 minutes or so.

Just make sure when you remove and install the pressure plate with the bolts to back them off evenly so you don't break the pressure plate. A couple turns at a time in a criss-cross pattern until they seat. I used the final torque spec for a CRF230F Clutch which is 12Nm/9ft-lb/108in/lb

[JerryHawk250]

Good information on the clutch springs. I found my clutch on my Hawk are getting weak. Hopefully the new KPX 250 has better quality. If not, this might work on it as well.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Good information on the clutch springs. I found my couch on my Hawk are getting weak. Hopefully the new KPX 250 has better quality. If not, this might work on it as well.

It's quite possible. I doubt the clutch design would have changed much on the newer gen motors. I am just waiting to hear your opinion on the KPX before I decide to pull the trigger on one or not myself. I am kind of tempted to turn my Hawk into a Dual sport rat bike with a 19" front wheel from a Brozz with wider rims for both wheels and ditching all the plastic. We shall see.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

It's quite possible. I doubt the clutch design would have changed much on the newer gen motors. I am just waiting to hear your opinion on the KPX before I decide to pull the trigger on one or not myself. I am kind of tempted to turn my Hawk into a Dual sport rat bike with a 19" front wheel from a Brozz with wider rims for both wheels and ditching all the plastic. We shall see.

I should have the tracking number on Monday. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
The rat bike sounds like a cool build. Don't put any ideas in my head.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

The rat bike sounds like a cool build. Don't put any ideas in my head.

I haven't decided what I want to do yet. I just think an 18 rear 19 front combo with fatter tires (130 rear 100 front maybe?) would be kind of a fun change of pace. Ditch the oil cooler, keep it lower in the back and drop the nose a tad with that front wheel and maybe raise the forks up. Make a simple under seat tray for the battery and electronics. I already have all the stuff for a round headlight. Maybe run an old school front fender from a 70's SL250.

[China Rider 27]

Good stuff! My clutch was making strange noises the other day coming down a hill while engine breaking.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by China Rider 27

Good stuff! My clutch was making strange noises the other day coming down a hill while engine breaking.

My clutch on this bike has been noisy since day 1. Part of the reason I did the springs was because I was going in there anyway to figure out my cold start clutch rattle. My clutch plates love to stick together for some reason, it doesn't matter if it sits for a few hours or a couple weeks. Pull in the clutch handle and "rattle rattle rattle" Cycle the clutch a few times and it fades away, or jam it in gear.

It still does it after the springs too. No signs of odd wear or damage

I may just order another clutch pack and swap the springs over. Or I will just let it be until the clutch fails... if it ever does lol

[Boatguy]

Hmmmm. Although my clutch has always felt rather mushy, weak Springs I guess, I’ve never had any grief out of it. Can sticky plates have something to do with the type of oil used?

I have been using that mobil v-Twin 20w-50 stuff you find in all the stores since my original Rotella break in period. Not because I thought it was better, but because it’s all I could find for a wet clutch for a while. Rotella was out of stock for a long time.

It really seems to do my bike well. And I’m usually riding in heat so the 20 W 50 isn’t bad.

I’m really hoping for this rat bike so I can see some pictures of one. Ha ha

[China Rider 27]

Originally Posted by Megadan

. Pull in the clutch handle and "rattle rattle rattle" Cycle the clutch a few times and it fades away, or jam it in gear.

It still does it after the springs too. No signs of odd wear or damage

I may just order another clutch pack and swap the springs over. Or I will just let it be until the clutch fails... if it ever does lol

After it started on the Hill now it makes this zzzzzzzzzz sound when first started but it goes away after awhile. I too from the get go have had clutch fade issues and have adjusted it outside any reasonable adjustment guide but if you have bad fade you do what you do to get it to work. It also works good no sign of slippage yet.

I am going to open her up and try the springs. Any ideas on an upgrade performance option for a pack or friction disc?

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Can sticky plates have something to do with the type of oil used?

No, it has zilch to do with the type of oil. I ran the same oil in my first Hawk, and I've run this oil in other bikes before. Sticking clutch plates usually happens when a bike sits for a long time. That's why my issue with them is a bit weird, but it has done it since day 1.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by China Rider 27

Any ideas on an upgrade performance option for a pack or friction disc?

I don't personally know of any. I wouldn't doubt if it shares clutch discs with a large number of small Honda motors though.