350X Clutch Questions and Upsate NY ATV Service Center Reputation Question

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by jr315rn

there is a place called choice one motor sports in ontario ny that have done great work also its nice to see some one from near me
jake

Thanks Jake, Rochester isn't to bad, about an 1 1/2 hour drive from where I'm at. Welcome to the board! Tim

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 05:02 PM

Okay, forget everything above of how I got burned by a "Honda Mechanic" for 30 years and lets see if we can figure my problem now. With the clutch lever pulled in my 85 350X is creeping forward as apparently the clutch is still slightly engaged. The cable looks new and worked fine with the old clutch that started slipping, wasn't gone but slipping if you really got on it so I wanted it changed and both adjusters are turned all the way out, I ruled out the cable so far. The Clutch Lifter Arm (pivot arm), is not springing back to where it should be when the clutch lever at the handle bars is out/released. There is some cable as the clutch lever has some play at the handle bars and I can see at least 3/4" of cable and when I manually push the Clutch Lifter Arm on the engine case back it takes up the slack. Would the Clutch Lifter Arm not releasing back all the way have anything to do with the trike creeping forward? If not what would be my next step to look for to stop the trike from creeping while in gear?

**Slingblade** · 05-15-2011, 05:48 PM

I can think of a couple of possibilities.

1. He left out a thrust washer (or other parts) or put them in the wrong place.

2. One or more of your steel plates is worn or warped., Or grooves in the hub, basket, etc.

The only way to know for sure is to open it up and take a look.

The clutches on these are not complicated at all, to anyone with his 20-30 years of experience, should have been a cake walk.

Good luck Tim, Hope the next guy treats you better.

**fabiodriven** · 05-15-2011, 06:46 PM

I would have to agree with everything he just said.^^^

The first thing that came to my mind was that there may be a warped steel disk/disks. Again, as he said there are other variables that it could be. And once again as he said, you'll have to take it apart and see.

**RIDE-RED 250r** · 05-15-2011, 08:47 PM

Tim,
I live about 40 miles northeast of Syracuse near Camden. I know where the Finger Lakes are, but thats a fairly large area. I would like to help you out if possible. Im a truck driver, and home every night, but sometimes late, other times early. Maybe we could work something out?

How much freeplay do you have in the lever? In other words, starting with the clutch lever bottomed out on the perch, slowly pull the clutch lever in, how far does it pull in before the cable gets tight and you begine to feel the clutch pulling back? Almost sounds to me like you have too much freeplay, which can be remedied with cable adjustment.

**atc007** · 05-15-2011, 08:56 PM

Tim,did you adjust your cable? Both ways just to make sure! You're not gonna screw anything up! Just trial and error,If it's inside,he didn't get the basket back down in the last notch. But they usually won't work at all there. I think it just needs adjustment.

**RIDE-RED 250r** · 05-15-2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by atc007

Tim,did you adjust your cable? Both ways just to make sure! You're not gonna screw anything up! Just trial and error,If it's inside,he didn't get the basket back down in the last notch. But they usually won't work at all there. I think it just needs adjustment.

Thats what im thinking. Sounds like it just has too much freeplay.......

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by RIDE-RED 250r

Tim,
I live about 40 miles northeast of Syracuse near Camden. I know where the Finger Lakes are, but thats a fairly large area. I would like to help you out if possible. Im a truck driver, and home every night, but sometimes late, other times early. Maybe we could work something out?

How much freeplay do you have in the lever? In other words, starting with the clutch lever bottomed out on the perch, slowly pull the clutch lever in, how far does it pull in before the cable gets tight and you begine to feel the clutch pulling back? Almost sounds to me like you have too much freeplay, which can be remedied with cable adjustment.

First, Thank you for your reply! I truly appreciate any help here and understanding that I have limited mechanical experience although willing to learn and probably have most tools except micrometer and snap ring pliers. Okay, when I pull back on the clutch lever it is about half way before I feel any tension BUT there is approx. 3/4" of cable showing and the lever is very loose slopping around until that point when it gets tight. I did try adjusting the cable as Bill suggested but there is absolutely no room to let it out more at either adjuster point. With the trike turned off I can see when I turn the adjusters in it engages the clutch and won't roll forward even with the clutch lever tight against the grip it feels fully engaged or "in gear" to where I would be turning over the motor. With the adjusters completely out and clutch lever pulled back all the way against the grip it rolls easier but is still engaged and partly in gear for sure. I am going to try an upload a video to youtube to help explain. Hope it works!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgstGx5OUNM

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by atc007

Tim,did you adjust your cable? Both ways just to make sure! You're not gonna screw anything up! Just trial and error,If it's inside,he didn't get the basket back down in the last notch. But they usually won't work at all there. I think it just needs adjustment.

Hi Bill, Thanks for all replies. Yes, I tried several times and double checked just to be sure. See the reply below with the YouTube link, hope this will help! Tim

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by RIDE-RED 250r

Tim,
I live about 40 miles northeast of Syracuse near Camden. I know where the Finger Lakes are, but thats a fairly large area. I would like to help you out if possible. Im a truck driver, and home every night, but sometimes late, other times early. Maybe we could work something out?

I live near Penn Yan, NY, north east of Keuka Lake. Looks like 111 miles each way. Wish you were closer!!! Hopefully with the video I might get the right answer. If I don't have to pull it apart I'd rather not but will do what it takes. My Honda Manual doesn't give the all the part numbers on the clutch blow-up page but at least I should be able to see what was left off or put back together wrong as mentioned in the posts above where they suggest to take it apart and look for grooves etc. I'm going to search the manual more to try and get exact specs for steel plates etc. I appreciate your offer to help!!!

**Dirtcrasher** · 05-15-2011, 10:51 PM

Well, it isn't returning all the way but-

Think of it this way, REGARDLESS of the "home" position; You have all the freeplay (clockwise pivot) taken up and it's not enough. It could be a plate missing, thrust washer or something else crazy in there (I.E. missing part - lifter, etc). Yes, it should return but thats got nothing to do with total separation of the plates which is what your lacking.

A new clutch never needs all that adjustment taken out of it.......

**cattle-dog** · 05-15-2011, 11:06 PM

hey tim is that my old x? if you want bring it down and i will fix it for you, i have a engine we can compare it to if it gets to that point, but it will probably not that diffuclt to see once opened up. let me know bud Don

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Dirtcrasher

Well, it isn't returning all the way but-

Think of it this way, REGARDLESS of the "home" position; You have all the freeplay (clockwise pivot) taken up and it's not enough. It could be a plate missing, thrust washer or something else crazy in there (I.E. missing part - lifter, etc). Yes, it should return but thats got nothing to do with total separation of the plates which is what your lacking.

A new clutch never needs all that adjustment taken out of it.......

Okay, I understand that, appreciate it! The friction plates and steel plates aren't separating looks like the problem. Did the YouTube link work? I'm thinking the mechanic didn't put something back as it worked before when I drove it in his shop. Will a 86 Clutch Basket work? Do I need snap ring pliers or any special tools to take out the clutch? And the grooves mentioned above, where do I look for these? Thanks

**2Tim215** · 05-15-2011, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by cattle-dog

hey tim is that my old x? if you want bring it down and i will fix it for you, i have a engine we can compare it to if it gets to that point, but it will probably not that diffuclt to see once opened up. let me know bud Don

Hey Don! Hope all is well! No, this is the 85 I bought out of PA, your 86 is still in the garage. Winter hasn't been good to me so haven't did anything with it yet but hope to soon. I wanted to get this 85 straightened out as it has the Goki Electric starter which is a big help with my knees being bad. These 350's kick over hard for us older folks! Glad you posted! I believe you are the closest to me and from seeing your 350X in the Dining Room I know you know these machines! LOL

**cattle-dog** · 05-16-2011, 07:03 AM

just let me know and i will set a day aside for you, these are a very simple design i am sure it will be a easy fix and if something is missing we can take it out of one of my engines and you can just replace the part as there are tons of 350 engines in parts on ebay.
I am starting another build but a 85 this time. i hate waiting for parts.
Hope you feel better Don

Thread: 350X Clutch Questions and Upsate NY ATV Service Center Reputation Question

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Okay, Lets try a different approach!

Here's where I'm at now, appreciate the reply!!!

Forgot to give my Location!