cf moto clutch By grayfox13 (Read 2,089 times)

[grayfox13]

Purchased 2009 cf moto 250 fashion scoot 05/01/13 with 1400 miles. have problem with clutch not grabbing and vibrating at start up until speed is reached, then clutch OK. I took apart clutch bell and noticed dust. Cleaned area, scuffed up pads since they appeared to be crystalized and scuffed bell. After re-installing clutch everything worked perfect. no problems and very smooth. Well that lasted for 2 weeks or 200 miles. Chatter is back and again not grabbing upon start up. At this point I'm frustrated and am thinking of trashing entire clutch assembly and purchase new clutch unit but before doing so I'd like some input. What else can I do to correct problem ? any advise would be appreciated.

[Barnie]

Grayfox, what u have is typical of some clutchs but not all. If it were mine I would clean it up again and don't baby the clutch at start off but you don't need to do jack rabbit starts either. Drive it like your car or truck. the more the clutch slips at slow or real easy take offs the faster it will glaze. Before I spent any money on it I would try again. If that fails you can get just new pads for it on line and will be cheaper than a complete assy. Hope this shelps you.

[alleyoop]

Barnie is correct, the 250s+ are heavy and you need some UMP and get the weight moving if babying the start off the clutch will slip and glaze really quick.
At WHAT rpms does the scoot start to move easing on the throttle?
Alleyoop

[grayfox13]

Unable to provide info on RPM's since there is no tach on scooter. Someone recommended changing to Honda helix clutch pads. Seems there are two versions of them old and new ?? also suggestion was to cut 1/16 inch deep lines into pads, I remember in the old days ( 50's ) on a car when brakes squeeled that was a fix that was done

[richardthescooter3]

Hi grayfox13, I don't think cutting the pads is a good idea :# just sand paper them and when you do begin to accelerate from a dead stop, be progressive with your throttle and continue to increase the throttle as you go (you will see a big difference in the CVT area) DX

[grayfox13]

If you re-read my original post, I stated that I scuffed both pads and clutch bell and the problems went away for two weeks or 200 miles and then returned. With my limited knowledge I don't think that is the fix....if it were, then the problem would be resolved. Something else....I failed to mention... my wife had a 1987 Honda helix for several years and put on a great deal of mileage, she never had this problem. I'm thinking with cf moto, either the pads are defective or could the clutch bell be out of round and binds at times causing the problem. That is why I was thinking to replace everything and there again why does Honda have two different pads ( old version and new version ) ? and another note....after running the scoot for a while lets say 25 miles or so the problem is gone ? Could it be something with heat build-up ??

[richardthescooter3]

grayfox13, sorry about that, I'm just wondering if the main torque spring is weak of the clutch pad springs are weak would it cause is problem?

[alleyoop]

No the weaker the CLUTCH springs are the better it will grab. Don't forget the clutch pads get thrown out by centrifigual force so if the springs are strong it takes more rpms to get the pads to get thrown out and grab the bell to turn the wheel. This is very common on the 250+ scoots, and the reason is people start of slow like 5 miles per hour and the like anything the more it weighs the more power has to be applied to the bell from the pads to hold and turn the wheel and move the weight.

So if people would learn to give it some good rpms starting off and then back off the pads will last much longer without getting glazed so quickly. Just take mine TRIKE which by the way is heavier than your 250s, comes in at 350lbs and I weigh 180lbs. But I put in a Performance NCY CLUTCH 2 years ago and JUST 2 months ago it was starting to shudder taking off. I took the clutch off and sanded the pads and I am back in business. BUt I give it throttle to get it moving then you can backoff.
Alleyoop

[grayfox13]

Thanks....I hadn't thought about that. What I don't believe is that this scoot has been around for many years and the helix for close to twenty years, and no one has come up with a solution and I love it when a dealer tech says that this is a characteristic of the unit. I've been told that so many times with cars that to me the guy has no knowledge of the problem and tries to pass it off. I think I'm going to spend some money and put in new pads, springs and a bell. If I still have the problem after that, then I will just live with it, but at least I know I've tried everything.

[Barnie]

Grayfox, if you would feel better trying to repair it then that is what you should do however rather than replacing springs and pads and a bell, I would just get the whole assy, will be cheaper for you and chances are you can get an actual Honda clutch for it. Many Honda parts fit my JCL body etc and many Yamaha parts fit my engine. Barnie

[JR]

Welcome to the forum Grayfox13, glad you're here. When I first got my 250B which is a copy of the Honda Reflex my pads would squall a bit and as you said after a bit. One thing I did and if they do it again is I put a little boric acid powder in the bell or on the pads. It makes the pads seat to the bell evenly and seems to take the glaze off. I also notice that mine will do that more quickly if the scooter sits for a spell.

The best easy to find boric acid powder is right at the Dollar Store in the for of Goody's Roach Powder, yes I know the jokes will come as in You'll be bug free too! ;D

JR

[alleyoop]

[richardthescooter3]

I think my little clutch springs need replace, seems to be in engaged when idling, (at stops scoot trying to surge ahead) did take bell off and sand papered my pads, also not too long ago I did replace my main torque spring.

[Barnie]

Richard, as I mentioned before, my 1st guess on ur hiccup is in your belt/clutch area. I'm guessing its echoing back up giving u the illusion its in the engine, that's why its worse going down hill. Barnie

[richardthescooter3]

Hi barnie, with the hiccup I'm starting to believe that part of my issue is electric, so I went out and got a tube of Dielectric grease, here where I've used the grease. CDI, ignition coil, coil end to spark plug cap, spark plug cap to spark plug, and also the to wire going into the back side of ignition coil, fuse by battery, test drove yesterday and its having no hiccup yet (still have to test drive the hills (tomorrow going to work) I'll let you know how it goes. I think the CVT area (clutch) is a separate issuse, it seems when at idle at stop, scoot is surging like it whats to go, RPM'S are 1800, that's why I was thinking those little springs.