Hard to shift

[honda_racer199]

I have a 400EX that i race mx with, and it's starting to get really hard to shift without the clutch and even with the clutch pulled in. I was wondering if i need new clutch plates and basket or what's the deal? Any help would be greatly appreciated! :blah

[TRX250R87]

It sounds like your shift shaft or shift forks could be bent.
ERIC

[optikid123]

sounds like u didnt use the clutch much so u prob messed up the shift fork

[honda_racer199]

Thanks I hope i didn't do to much damage in there! Do you know if any aftermarket company's make these and for how much?:huh

[Teufel]

My 400 has never shifted smooth/ without the clutch. I only wish I could get it to shift as smooth as my 250r

[ChadEXer]

Definately sounds like bent shift forks,,thats what happens when you shift without using the clutch!!!

[TRX250R87]

I have been running both of my R engines for 2 years and I don't use my clutch very much in a race. As far as I know my 16 and 12 year old engines have the stock shift forks in them.

Now unless the 400EX has a crappy shift fork design, not using the clutch isn't a big deal.

ERIC

[Teufel]

My 400 has been like that from day 1. I had the tranny apart a month ago no problems with the forks

[honda400zx]

how much time could you passibly save by not shifting with the clutch? y dont you guys just use it and not hurt anythin?:confused:

[Teufel]

It's not neccessarily the time, I run GNCC and the fewer times I have to pull that clutch back the better:cool:

[dhines]

Teufel,

I smell what you're smokin! While I preffer to use the clutch when possible, it's not always easy to do so when you're 90 minutes into a race and hanging on for dear life as you blast through a whooped out section of track. When a man needs to upshift, he needs to upshift, whether or not he can muster the strength to pull that damn lever back!

Dennis

[TRX250R87]

EXACTLY!
When racing MX and all tired out I choose to hang onto my bars. It's easier to shift without the clutch!
ERIC

[honda_racer199]

I think anyone that doesn't race doesn't understand about not using the clutch. Like someone said you don't have the time or strength to pull in the clutch when your going through woops or coming out of the holeshot! Does anyone really know if there's anyway to make it to shift easier? I think I'm just going to get a Hinson clutch basket and Hinson plates. See what that does!:macho

[Stunz]

What brand and weight of oil are you using?

[deansfastway]

Probably got that inner hub and outer basket all grroved up , maybe you could file them down a bit or install better components, I have had many of these motors apart and they usually dont bend shift forks but on bikes with big power I see the Mainshaft 3rd gear losing its hardfacing and coming apart, this is easy to see with the cyl removed just look behind the crankshaft , its the black gear on the trans mainshaft, If bad it will look pitted or eroded away , it does this because it it a powder gear not a forged billet gear, I have seen them explode and go through the cases on some (2) of my motors, they were big motors running on methanol. To remedy this I get the gears CRYO THERMED as well as many other components I CRYO the whole clutch assy also . You probably just have a notched up basket or hub. GOOD LUCK FASTWAY MOTORSPORTS/FASTWAY RACINGENGINES, deanholonics@msn.com

[honda_racer199]

Thanks for all info Deansfastaway, I'm going to buy the new basket and rings. Good luck at your racing, drag racing I assume?

[mcmike]

Stunz is right, oil is a major factor, due to the wet clutch. As far as using your clutch while riding, there are alot of situations that make my decision weather to use or not.