350x clutch help please

[userj8670]

Good evening and Merry Christmas! I hope Santa was good to everyone.

I looking for some help adjusting my 350x clutch. It's a 1986 motor and a motion pro cable that I just put on. I am not sure how to adjust it properly as there is no play in the clutch lever - I just have to move the lever a 1/4 inch it seems to engage/disengage the clutch and that isn't right. I have tried to adjust it but perhaps I'm doing it wrong. Specific help please as I have never done this before...

[userj8670]

Could the clutch be worn?

[Flyingw]

what part number is the cable you just put on?

[ctk]

Has this 350x been sitting awhile without running? If so put in neutral and let it run for a few minutes. Then try adjusting.

[userj8670]

what part number is the cable you just put on?

Not sure what the part number is. I went on ebay, found a 86 motion pro clutch cable. Maybe I need a new clutch?

[userj8670]

Has this 350x been sitting awhile without running? If so put in neutral and let it run for a few minutes. Then try adjusting.

I have rode it quite a bit before I attempted to adjust it.

[dustrunner]

86 motor on it ? what year is the bike ?

[Dirtcrasher]

85 86 cables different lengths. Both cables somewhere between the beginning or end are adjustable.

I like a bit of play at the case lever and maybe 1/8 at the clutch.

[userj8670]

85 bike. 86 motor. 400ex carb etc. I have tried adjusting the nuts on the cable and the one by the clutch lever itself with no sucess. Is one used for fine tuning the other? Do I want them screwed all the way out ir in?

[Dirtcrasher]

That adjustment (not at the lever) you would spread apart to get the desired play.

You'll see it can be threaded or turned way out which lengthens the sheathing. Call that you coarse or large adjustment. It may be an 8mm and 10mm nut and it may be all the way shortened and just just aren't aware of it.

Your handlebar lever is the fine adjustment.

85 cables went on the right side of the frame and were prone to melting because they ran near the exhaust. I believe the OEM 85 cable had an exterior spring on it to prevent rubber touching the exhaust, The lever on the clutch cover of an 85 motor is parallel to the frame and fed from the front right side; Hence the exhaust melting issue.

86 cables went on the left side of the frame and on the clutch cover it would pull behind the cylinder almost perpendicular to the frame.

Look on the internet at an 85 or 86 350X and you will see the angle of the actuator arm and clutch cable in 2 different positions.

I do not know if motion pro had the spring to protect the 85 or if it can adjust to fit both the 85 and 86, you'll figure that out quickly.

Whatever works, make sure there is wiggle at the arm and desired play at the handlebar lever. No free play = clutch plates always being slightly separated and it will burn up.

[userj8670]

DC- thank you very kindly for the in depth description! That being said I have no free play in the clutch at the moment. I move the lever ever so slightly back and the clutch is disengaged. To start from a dead stop the clutch needs to be released a hair...and I mean literally a hair -and then held (ride the clutch out ) then released ...whuch would be another hair....really very little room needed to move to engage / disengage. I know it's not right. Now the main adjustment on the cable is currently out all the way. The fine tuning knob (for lack of better word) is halfway out. Based on my Simpsons wpuld I want to move the main adjustment in all the way? I have tried this before and I have noticed no diff. ...perhaps a new clutch?

[Dirtcrasher]

Yeah, you should be able to shorten up that main adjustment and get some free play. Turn it in a few turns, never do anything all the way one or another, just a bit at a time.

I like the bar adjuster halfway out, well, so I can adjust it. I like to have maybe 8-10mm freeplay before I feel the plates separating when I pull in my clutch lever.....

If your still stuck, download that manual and it will tell you how much freeplay you should have.

[userj8670]

Thanks for all the help- def clears things up a bit. Will have a go next weekend when I can get back down to my bike. Happy new year