96 rm125 -- clutch??? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

zookerman125 · 06-05-2004, 10:38 PM

Picked up the bike last week. This is my first bike in about 20 years.

When put in first, I could feel it "grab", and it needed a little gas or it would stall. Shifted fine through the gears while riding. Rode it for 1 hour.

Tried adjusting the cable, but I couldn't ever get it to disengage completely when the lever was pulled all the way. Made lots of adjustments to the cable with the engine off, pushing the bike with the lever in and in gear to see if it would roll ... like in neutral... never did.

A week later, it is really hard to get it into gear while riding.

Could I need to replace the clutch plates/springs?

Thanks for any help.

dpjordan · 06-09-2004, 12:16 PM

I am in the same boat too. I picked up a 96 RM125, exhibiting the same problems. I changed the tranny fluid and replaced it with ATF Type F, seemed to help a little. I do know when the bike is cold, the clutch really drags. Tried adjusting the cable, no change. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate some info too.

teekee4 · 06-10-2004, 11:18 AM

Have the same problem myself with a '97 RM125 I bought for my son.
Read somewhere that the clutch is rather weak on that model, especially the clutch basket. I've taken the clutch apart and found that there are deep grooves worn into the clutch basket and inner hub. I've replaced the inner hub with a new stock one, but replaced the basket with an aftermarket Hinson basket. (supposed to be better than stock). Still waiting on other parts, but will let ya know how the clutch turns out.

zookerman125 · 06-20-2004, 11:25 AM

okay then.

filed basket... grooves not too deep and changed oil. no difference. didn't check the inner hub (will do that next).

I also read that the clutch cover itself wears funny, where the rack meets the pinion and that will make the clutch drag... -- if the hole where the rack goes in is oval, the rack doesn't pull straight out, so it doesn't pull as far, making the clutch drag.

thanks guys... we'll get it fixed.

DRider · 06-20-2004, 08:36 PM

Many bikes have this problem, but it often gets better when the trans fluid is warmed up. Some people (particularly KDX owners) use automatic transmission fluid in the gearbox to overcome this. Another thing that can happen is that the cable stretches over time, so even when it is adjusted to its shortest position, the clutch is still semi engaged. A quick fix for this problem is to move the clutch lever on the engine around by 1 spline, but this may cause the clutch to never properly engage (depends on how fine the splines are).

06-05-2004, 10:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
zookerman125 Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 31	96 rm125 -- clutch??? Picked up the bike last week. This is my first bike in about 20 years. When put in first, I could feel it "grab", and it needed a little gas or it would stall. Shifted fine through the gears while riding. Rode it for 1 hour. Tried adjusting the cable, but I couldn't ever get it to disengage completely when the lever was pulled all the way. Made lots of adjustments to the cable with the engine off, pushing the bike with the lever in and in gear to see if it would roll ... like in neutral... never did. A week later, it is really hard to get it into gear while riding. Could I need to replace the clutch plates/springs? Thanks for any help.

06-20-2004, 08:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
DRider Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 64	Many bikes have this problem, but it often gets better when the trans fluid is warmed up. Some people (particularly KDX owners) use automatic transmission fluid in the gearbox to overcome this. Another thing that can happen is that the cable stretches over time, so even when it is adjusted to its shortest position, the clutch is still semi engaged. A quick fix for this problem is to move the clutch lever on the engine around by 1 spline, but this may cause the clutch to never properly engage (depends on how fine the splines are). __________________ 87 DR200, re-jetted carb, drilled airbox, big rear sprocket 84 TS 185 - will kick any 250

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06-09-2004, 12:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
dpjordan Newbie Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 1	I am in the same boat too. I picked up a 96 RM125, exhibiting the same problems. I changed the tranny fluid and replaced it with ATF Type F, seemed to help a little. I do know when the bike is cold, the clutch really drags. Tried adjusting the cable, no change. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate some info too.

06-10-2004, 11:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
teekee4 Newbie Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 1	Have the same problem myself with a '97 RM125 I bought for my son. Read somewhere that the clutch is rather weak on that model, especially the clutch basket. I've taken the clutch apart and found that there are deep grooves worn into the clutch basket and inner hub. I've replaced the inner hub with a new stock one, but replaced the basket with an aftermarket Hinson basket. (supposed to be better than stock). Still waiting on other parts, but will let ya know how the clutch turns out.

06-20-2004, 11:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
zookerman125 Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 31	okay then. filed basket... grooves not too deep and changed oil. no difference. didn't check the inner hub (will do that next). I also read that the clutch cover itself wears funny, where the rack meets the pinion and that will make the clutch drag... -- if the hole where the rack goes in is oval, the rack doesn't pull straight out, so it doesn't pull as far, making the clutch drag. thanks guys... we'll get it fixed.

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