Help needed with wr400 clutch

[vtcal8]

Hi guys, I recently got a WR400. I have had it on a few rides and on the last one the bike felt like it was surging or the clutch slipping in top gear at full throttle. I am thinking that it is the cluch slipping, but thought if the clutch was worn that it would slip in all gears? I think the clutch may be worn also as it only engages when it's almost let all the way out. I am going to change the oil to see if that might help the problem. Has anyone else had a WR or a similar bike and had this type of problem?

[BlownVR]

Clutch slip will be more evident in the higher gears as there is more load on the clutch in these gears. You probably already know this but make sure you have a couple of mm of freeplay on your clutch lever and adjust if necessary. Maybe it is worn out... I had a WR400 once but no problems with it.

[Road Warrior]

What sort of oil are you running in it? You havent put any of those 'friction modifiers' in the oil have you?

[Satansfist]

Have a look at the amount of adjusability you have left in the clutch, both at the handlebar and near the cases (ie, both ends of the clutch cable). If both have been adjusted to the max then it's a good indication the previous owner may have been experiencing the same symptoms and kept adjusting it to try and get rid of the symptons.

A WR400 is getting on in age and they are a high performance engine, the first of the high revving four stroke singles. If it hasn't had the clutch looked at before (you have service records right? :nyuk: ) there'd be a good chance it needs a look at now. It's not much of a job if you feel like doing it yourself. Have a look at the clutch components checking for wear.

[vtcal8]

Thanks for the replies. I got the bike for free off a mate who has had a shoulder reco. He had only ridden it a handfull of times before giving it to me. He bought it off the original owner about 3 years ago(but without service records). I'm going to try a 10w/40 oil in it to see if it helps. I checked the oil and it looks quite clean and reasonably fresh. As far as adjusting the clutch at the bars which way do I turn it, clockwise or anticlockwise? and is it the same where the clutch goes into the case? Thanks.

[1969ollie]

If the clutch adjuctment is fine replacing the fibre plates should fix the problem. changing the oil won't help your situation

[Satansfist]

Thanks for the replies. I got the bike for free off a mate who has had a shoulder reco. He had only ridden it a handfull of times before giving it to me. He bought it off the original owner about 3 years ago(but without service records). I'm going to try a 10w/40 oil in it to see if it helps. I checked the oil and it looks quite clean and reasonably fresh. As far as adjusting the clutch at the bars which way do I turn it, clockwise or anticlockwise? and is it the same where the clutch goes into the case? Thanks.

Sitting in the office at work I'd say anti-clockwise on the bars will take up any slack at the lever. At the engine you'll have a lock nut and the adjusting nut, loosen the lock nut and it'll be obvious which way to turn it, I think there's a little arm that connects to the rod that activates the clutch, you should see it move. You can tell which way to adjust it as when you pull the clutch lever at the bars it'll move the lever at the crankcase one way or the other. Fiddle with it and see if it slips more or less.

Honestly though I think you'll save yourself a lot of bother by having the clutch serviced. As 19690llie says replacing the fibre plates and giving the metal plates a bit of a roughing up may do wonders for it.

[vtcal8]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll give them a go and see how it is after that.