9/3/10
I have been really busy lately working on bikes and I have been neglecting this site. I have a lot of new material that needs to be uploaded, but I currently do not have the time to post it all. I will update soon.
Also, I have decided to disable the comments section since the majority of all comments were spam. If you would like to contact me, please call or email.
That’s it for now, were off to Durhamtown to check out the new pro track for the Labor Day weekend!
-Joe
2003 KX 125 Clutch Problems
Here is a customers bike that has some clutch problems. It started out as just some noise, but then developed into some more serious problems and even some breakage. Upon inspection of the clutch basket, hub, and pressure plate, it was obvious that they all needed replacing. If you have ever priced these clutch components, you know how expensive they can be. Before bringing the bike to me, the customer had taken it to a local shop and received an estimate of approximately $1200. I was able to replace all of the clutch assembly, and even upgrade the clutch basket to a forged wiseco basket for less than half of that estimate!
Look at the pics below and notice in the 3rd and 4th picture you can see the notches in the original basket. When they wear this much, clutch engagement becomes rough and choppy.
The 5th and 6th pictures show the wear to the inner clutch hub. This part also develops notches from the steel plates in the clutch stack. There is also a very noticeable trough cut into the edge of the hub. Compare it to the new hub in pic 7.
Images 8,9, and 10 show the wear on the old pressure plate compared to the new one. Again, notice the trough cut into the outer edge.
In order to install any new aftermarket clutch basket such as hinson, barnett, wiseco, etc., you must remove the original primary gear and kick start gear and install them onto the new basket. This can be slightly time consuming. The original rivets must be drilled and removed, then the backing plate can be gently pried off. The rubber cushions have to be re-used also, so pay attention to their orientation, it is easy to reverse them. The kick start gear must be pressed off. This can be done in a vice with a socket and a section of pipe. To install this gear on the new basket, the simplest way is to put the gear in the freezer and the basket in the oven both for about 15-20 mins. If you can do it fast enough, it will almost drop in.
Once you have the gears installed, and the backing plate screws are torqued to the proper specs with loc-tite, you can start putting it all back together. New clutch friction plates must be soaked in oil prior to installation. Refer to your manual for re-assembly if you forget where any parts go.
With the new clutch installed, it now engages smooth and there is no more noise. The lever pull feels like a hydraulic clutch instead of a cable-operated one.
03 TTR 125L For Sale – $1000
I have an 03 TTR 125L for sale. Runs great! Has new rear tire and new plastics. Great beginner’s bike!
Comes with old plastic too so if you you are buying it for a beginner, they can dump the bike and not scratch up the new stuff.
Call Joe at 828.337.4009 or email if you are interested. The price is firm and I feel this bike is worth it considering its condition.
2007 Yamaha WR 250f Re-Jetting
This is a customer’s bike that had some serious carburetor issues. It was having trouble starting and coming off an idle, but eventually got so bad it would not even run. I went into the carb several times and did find some clogged orifices that once cleaned, caused the bike to run a little better, but the main problem was 2-fold:
- Bent Needle.
- Bad gas.
The WR comes with a non-adjustable needle, so I removed the bent one and installed a new yz-style adjustable needle.
It’s surprising how fuel can go bad so quickly and can even come from the pump bad. Also, there was no “bad-fuel” smell when smelling the fuel in the tank, but I am certain it was bad because after correcting the needle and jetting, I installed my YZ tank onto the WR with fresh race fuel and it ran perfect, but when switching back to the WR tank, would not even run.
So after draining the fuel, re-jetting, and installing some new fork seals, this bike is ready to go.
Here is the jetting that worked well for me:
Elevation: 2500 ft.
Main: 175
Pilot: 42
Leak: 40 (this helps increase the initial squirt of fuel from the accelerator pump, and decrease bogging)
Air Screw: 2.0 turns out.