TM Clutch Problem?

Rick Volz · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2001 11:20 am Post subject: TM Clutch Problem?

I posted this over the shifter forum with luck so I thought I would try it here now?
I have 98 TM 125 that runs great. Really, really strong. However, I cannot get it to do great starts (even after much practice). It is also unable to do donuts or really light the tires up. After it gets moving it just flies. It has really low hours on it over all. I tried replacing the clutch disks and regular plates in between the clutch disk because they were so cheap. Still does not take off well. I have tired adjusting the cable every which way with varying results but it is still not correct. I had another 98 TM 125 that would jump off the line with the same gearing and tire selection. I am stumped. I have a TrackMagic clutch lever and a Honda 250 cable installed. This is same setup which I had on my old TM that worked great. What am I missing? Thank you in advance!!
Rick

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

check out the springs on the clutch....check with you local engine dist and find out what the tolerance's are supposed to be...most likely just the springs......by the way does the engine bog down and does the clutch slip to much when trying to do donuts etc?

Sean Robbins · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2001 5:57 am Post subject: TM Clutch Problem?

Are you sure it's the clutch and not carburetion? Unless you hit the sweet spot RPM-wise, all shifter motors have a terrible tendency to bog down. The exhaust pipe has a large impact on this, too. What kind of fluid are you running in the transmission?

Rick Volz · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2001 9:51 am Post subject: TM Clutch Problem?

John / Sean,
Thank you to the both you of posting on this topic.
Question John - What springs are you speaking of? My local engine distributor is the worst (Grand Products). I can call GreenFlag and see if there is a way to see I can adjust the springs (the one inside the TM cover?). I would say that the motor bogs down after it starts to light the tires up and then bogs.
Sean - You could be correct it could be carburetor. I do not know enough to tell you. It seems to work fine in all gears. Even first gear is fine after the start. I tired both ATF and Honda gear lube. Same result.

Rick Volz · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2001 9:52 am Post subject: TM Clutch Problem?

John / Sean,
Thank you to the both you of posting on this topic.
Question John - What springs are you speaking of? My local engine distributor is the worst (Grand Products). I can call GreenFlag and see if there is a way to see I can adjust the springs (the one inside the TM cover?). I would say that the motor bogs down after it starts to light the tires up and then bogs.
Sean - You could be correct it could be carburetor. I do not know enough to tell you. It seems to work fine in all gears. Even first gear is fine after the start. I tired both ATF and Honda gear lube. Same result.

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

Rick,
remove the clutch cover from the motor it will expose the pressure plate......there will be 5 or 6 screws with aluminum washers and behind those washers should be the clutch springs.....take a dial caliper and measure the spring height when they are removed and check it against the manufacturers specs......hope this helps

John Valerio

by the way try increasing your radius when you do the donuts it will put less of a load on the motor:-)

[ September 19, 2001: Message edited by: John Valerio ]