XR500R Clutch Advice

[ATC185R]

Clutch holds great in 1st through 4th will dig and pull front end up in turns etc. However, I got out on the open road today and was shifting through the gears like a madman and got through 4th and into 5th when my clutch just lost all grip at about half way through the rev range in 5th gear. Is there an adjustment, do I need stiffer springs or do I need new discs? Has anyone had this happen before? Also, is there an additive that is safe to run with the oil? (It is drysump system)

[WLL]

hopefuly you have the right oil in her

[xr497rider]

I don't know much about your oils in the US, but in South Africa we normally use Shell Helix High Mileage in the XR's. What size sprockets are you running? May be a good idea to check your plates as well, I'll see if I can find the service limits for you....My manual says your friction plate thickness should be between 2.62mm and 2.78mm (0.102in and 0.109in) Limit 2.3mm (0.091in). Hope that helps.

[DeePa]

sounds like your friction plates are shot

[ATC185R]

Took a rip across a stubble field yesterday and she started slipping real bad and lurching some on the top end. Tore her down last night and the friction plates were turning blue, the fibers were shot, and the nut that holds the clutch cage on the shaft had worked itself off. The nut was just floating in there but no thread damage was done. Took it all apart, torqued that nut to 40 ft/lbs, and am waiting for a barnett kit. I would call myself lucky!