10-01-2009, 12:02 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 834
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Hi Bird 250 Clutch Shake
Sometimes when I release the clutch lever, the bike shakes. It feels like the clutch spring is weak. Also, the lever has to be released almost all the way before hitting the friction zone. The bike has 9600 miles. Does this mean I need need clutch and springs?
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10-01-2009, 11:14 AM | #2 |
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Check your slack in the cable, it might be excessive. Ideal is usually 1-2 mm gap at the clutch lever.
Some shuddering occurs with cheap clutches. I doubt the springs would wear per se. Could mean you are due for an oil change. Check cable and oil. If both are OK I'd say get a new clutch plus/minus springs, maybe a cable, and a gasket for the cover.
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10-01-2009, 02:38 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States
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As mentioned, try adjusting your clutch first and or changing the oil. If that doesn't work my guess is that you need a new clutch however I'm not 100% on that. If you replace the clutch go ahead and spend the $10 dollars for new springs. Also while most low hp engines don't require the steel disc to be changed out on the first clutch job, you still want to measure the thickness of the steel disc so you don't prematurely wear out $70 bucks worth of friction plates. To measure the steel disc, you will need to know what the acceptable specs are. Some specs call for measuring out all the disc sandwiched together, other specs call for measuring each disc individually. You'll need a micrometer and measure at least every 90 degrees to check for warpage. Good luck.
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10-01-2009, 04:11 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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FWIW, I've never worn out steel plates, even on stupid fast bikes, like a GS1100 and ZX11. Warping them is another story... :?
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10-01-2009, 04:36 PM | #5 |
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By the way, this bike has been thru alot of adversity. I have gone blasting across Texas on it. Actually, I'm kind'a surprised the engine is still running so well. At some point, I decided to sell it; so I blasted wide open throttle everywhere I went. When I realize it was refusing to die, I decided to keep it and stop driving like a maniac.
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10-01-2009, 06:02 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
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10-01-2009, 06:08 PM | #7 | ||
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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Quote:
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10-01-2009, 10:38 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
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Dragon, your reference to adversity makes me wonder if the Chinese springs are now too soft or are inconsistent. If they've been overheated (perhaps by trying to climb out of a mudhole), they might be compromised, despite the relatively low power engine.
Perhaps you'd like to dismantle the clutch for inspection, and if the plates aren't warped and the friction discs aren't terribly worn, you could just replace the springs and go. I'll bet that generic clutch springs for a Honda would be the right size with a little more clamping pressure.
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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10-02-2009, 03:37 AM | #9 | |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri. United States
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Quote:
The gasket for the cover may be another thing if you can't figure out the excact engine your bike is cloned after, but I'm sure there is some form-a-gasket stuff out there that would work if in a bind. |
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10-05-2009, 07:55 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx.
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I came up with a different possibility. In another post you mentioned a worn out swingarm bushing. Could it be that under accelleration, the chain tention pulls the swingarm alignment to the point that the rear sprocket is no longer aligned? I can picture the chain riding on the top of a tooth on the sprocket briefly before setting back in its propper location. That might be the shuddering and shaking that you are experiencing.
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10-05-2009, 11:16 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 834
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Yeah, I still need to replace the swing arm bushing. That was suppose to be my next project.
Besides the shaking, the clutch feels very different from when the bike was new. I also have a Lifan sport bike, and the clutches on my two bikes are like day and night, in terms of feel. On the sport bike, the clutch just feels right. On the Hi Bird, it just doesn't. The Hi Bird is really getting old; maybe I'm expecting too much. I might tackle the swing arm busing before messing with the clutch.
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10-13-2009, 10:23 AM | #12 |
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Wow, the oil got changed, and the clutch feels alot better. I didn't realize
how long it has been.
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