HOW TO FIX DIRTBIKE CLUTCH DRAG

Clutch Drag is often problem on KTM EXC models, but it also affects other bikes like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and others. In this video i am going to show you how to fix sticky clutch with Coca Cola and Sand Paper. This is going only to work if your problem is in inner disc , if you have problem with basket then you need find another solution.
Social Media:
Facebook : / thedirtbikerider
Instagram: / thedirtbikeriderofficial
Second Channel: / thedirtbikerider1994

[@tiagomonteiro2678]

Just as an additional information to anyone trying this after watching this great useful video, just finished servicing a Husqvarna FE 350 3018 that had the same problem and my method was using an orbital (round) sander with very fine grit (was 120 but anyway when you start working it it wears out pretty quickly so it's fine too). The way to do it is having a perfect flat thick glass, then an A4 plain sheet of paper, then apply a mix of oil/gas on a used window cleaner bottle (great way to apply to many components on dirt bikes to keep them fresh), then sand each side lightly while rotating the discs. (Only the metal ones). (Very important to keep orbital sander flat, with very light pressure). It is important to take out the glaze off the fiber bits by hand. (Use those super fine pads for car body spray-paint preparation). You can also use the sander if you have good control. (When I did it, I was turning it on and off. No need for excessive speed). Done this after 24 hours gas immersion bath on the components. You can use this gas to wash the dirt as you go along and treat each of the clutch plates. Also very important, do pass (manually) the outside of the metal plates over the super-fine sanding sponge (with oil/gas mix as well) to make sure this edge is smooth. For the fiber ones, this process is on the inside. Before assembly, wash everything again with plain gas, and then let them soak for a few minutes in the oil you use on your motor. Tested the bike. Very good! No clutch drag (or lock?...) at all. Beware - this method saves having to buy/replace clutch plates at least one time. But definitely have a set ready to replace just in case you find that wear is excessive. Pay attention also to the damping rubber bits on the back of the DDS inner hub. Recommend having a set of these ready to replace as well if there's too much play in inner-hub. Best regards, safe (extreme) rides!

[@zeishoot]

damn husqvarna 3018 ? i only have a 2016...

[@thenutterful]

Super , I just did it and it works perfect .! Thank u ..Matt from Irlanda

[@johnykryll]

Excellent idea, will try that and see if it helps my Husky

[@longlifeprinters9]

Excellent! My problem exactly from day 1 on my new 2020 KTM 350 xcfw. It is not a basket wear or play problem on mine, it always felt like it wanted to move while the clutch is in from the 1st ride. Tried everything except this. I am excited to try getting the friction right.

[@Benthefree]

Did it work?

[@mrmanny]

I think Coca Cola should sponsor this video 😁 Love the Content.

[@jorgelsanchez4388]

Awesome video!!!

[@heidibell8335]

Had the same problem on my Beta. I sanded the plates, installed the stamped curved side out for the plates and much better. No soft drink dip though lol. Not sure how long it will last until it polishes up smooth again. Some clutch metal plates have small indentations for the same reason. If the drag comes back I will employ coarse sand paper and teach it a real lesson!

[@SeparadoresAtecon]

Couple of questions: Which part of the plate are you sanding down? I assume it is the sharp part of the disc, right? How do you clean the coke of the plates after? Do you soak the plates and discs in oil before installing? Thanks

[@lourencobento6582]

It worked for me. But I think I have sanded too much since the bevel spring does not stay flat. But it's working!

[@RadovanKrsmanovic]

The difference between the Before and After is also that the bike was at operating temp when the problem was present and cold when it wasn't. You need to have it up to temp and check to see if you still have the clutch drag.

[@bennypearson754]

This is true. I found that when my exc is up to temp it seems to be fine after but I'll have to give it a closer look and test

[@charleshowgate2166]

What if it still drags after it’s up to operating temp

[@BradBrother]

@@charleshowgate2166 I'm going through this problem currently. You ever find a solution?

[@VincentCastilloux]

thanks nice video . if i soak in petrol liguid is good too ?

[@TheElhariz]

Thanks mate..this is what I’m looking for. I have the same problem in my 90 hrs 2018 tpi several weeks ago. In my case the drag is less when the engine cold and bigger when it’s hot. After some research, I decide to try to use ATF for gearbox oil and it worked. Maybe I’ll try your method next time the problem occurs.

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

Oil is very important, you need choose what oil you are going to use by temperature and riding style. If your clutch is getting really hot then i suggest you using thicker oil

[@TheElhariz]

The Dirtbike Rider I see..in what temperature the clucth ahould work properly? And where to see the oil working temp on the oil specs? Is it the heavier the oil means it can lower the temp? Thank you

[@megamendungsatu7161]

Bro what kind of oil did u use? R u indo? Pake oli merk apa? Dan brp banyak? My husq te300i start draggin too 😭 plz rply

[@TheElhariz]

Megamendung Satu bro, sy pk ATF 5 Shell Spirax 700 ml, dragging jauh berkurang

[@stevenwiseman1540]

My 2020 300 too was the same . Changed oil to Motul 7100 . Fixed it

[@Desert10075]

I have a desert racer friend who rubbed his clutch plates in sand two at a time against eachother, then he cleanend them off and put the motor together and came in second in a race with 1000 people in mattawa washington. Kevin Bise is the guy who did this.

[@nelsonmarcarvalho]

Hi dirt bike rider, having same problem as well the whining noise that you have on the initial. How many hours does this works for you?

[@Flinttwo]

Cool Channel. Spent an hour an a half messing with this and it did not work for me. Most folks should probably just order the new plates, unless your are board like me and wanted to give it a try.

[@bikesbeersbeats]

Thank you for your sacrifice.

[@nastysoda9212]

it's just worn plates, $100 for a new clutch pack oem for yamaha easy fix

[@claudioteixeira5917]

Fanta 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.if works is fantastic!

[@jamesal0]

I think your pink spokes are causing the flux capacitor to overdrive the clutch, try a different colour

[@milwaukeeaterfu2190]

just soda blast the steels, i run less torque on the inner hub nut.. also drilled more holes in the inner hub to promote more lube into pack.. measure your clutch pack stack/height too... make sure you're not past spec making a bigger clutch pack in ther, ran some washers on the clutch spring bolts for less clutch finger pull too!

[@lbarura4627]

Cant wait to try lol

[@0cernnunos0]

When did you switch back to KTM? I thought you were riding Sherco.

[@andreig8895]

After you did that your clutch doesn't slip?

[@user-ln9cz5hr3k]

The clutch is dragging because the ball, push rod and needle bearing wear away slightly, an extra washer on the needle bearing can be used to compinsate for the wear, or change the parts. Sanding thins the plates to compensate for the worm parts but if you buy new discs and plates they will be too thick and will drag again...your fixing the simptoms not the problem, but itll work for a while.

[@juangasca2204]

I have a Zuki rm85 2003 will this method work?

[@motormans2]

Protip to find neutral with clutch drag, lift the revs littlebit

[@kyriakos9635]

what do you mean? can you explain?

[@motormans2]

@@kyriakos9635 you have clutch in, 1st or 2nd gear in, apply pressure to the gearpedal and lift revs and it will pop into neutral

[@TrailBoundco]

@@kyriakos9635 meaning give it throttle while trying to fine neutral when the bike is running

[@avinashr9649]

No way. What a great tip, thanks ! @motormans2

[@moronanticriss]

I have eard if its the Basket to use peanuts butter instead!

[@eddieringman2452]

Hello, Did you sand papper both sides of the plates? Should the sharp side on the plates be outside when you replacing it? Can i use 1200 sand paper or should i use 400?

[@woodsrider117]

That’s a first!! Wow

[@neilbyr11]

You kind of went fast there for a second, did you sand both sides of the metal plates

[@dzenanklicic1029]

Kad ce video na damir hairlahovic kanalu

[@TomaBaus]

Do I have to do this for both sides of the plate or only the rough one?

[@248rok]

Both use 400

[@zeermz450]

Fanta- orange works well.....for ktm's.. .. .. Lol

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

yeah use fanta instead oil in gearbox hahaha

[@zeermz450]

@@TheDirtbikeRider you are very talented ........ lots of clutch control

[@hardendurobosnia17]

Damire, koliko si puta primjenio lamele na shercu ili ktm-u, stil vožnje nam je vrlo sličan pa me znaima koliko traju?

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

traju dosta dugo, ali sa vremenom mogu kliziti ili poceti odvajati cudno

[@yulip4n01]

Nice info, same problem my husq

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

Did it work? for fix

[@yulip4n01]

Not work bro, mybe wong oil 10w-40?

[@almaguapa-sailboatliveaboa440]

Why did you put friction plate first and then intermediate disc with S as second? KTM diagrams that I look at all start with intermediate S disc first then friction plate. Which exact model+year of bike do you have? thx

[@kevinward7434]

Well spotted, u are right.

[@robthomas3488]

Clutch bolts go back on the bike in a star pattern to stop warping of the bellevue spring and plates. Another thing is to keep an eye on your transmission oil height, it can cause a dragging clutch if there is too much oil. KTM says 0.8 Litres but it only needs 0.65 Litres (always use the oil level hole on the motor to get it perfect tho).

[@TrailBoundco]

wondering how you got the .65L number?

[@TrailBoundco]

also which bike? I think the pre 2020 use less oil

[@victordipersia]

2022 Husky 501s, 6months old about 3K mls, I have already reversed bled the line which did not have any air bubbles anyway. I have the same (but opposite) problem: I STARTED NOTICING THIS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. In the morning cold engine, I pop 1st gear and I better have room in front of me because the bike wants to take off, about 1 hr later or less the clutch engages 1/2 way through its lever range. DO I HAVE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM....? and also I would prefer something that's a lil more permanent as I don't have a garage or a place to work. Any suggestions...?

[@ENDUROEVOLUTION]

What kind of oil? I had that happen using rotella back in the day. T4

[@WarrenHodder]

Yes it works and very well. I was sceptical but thought give it a try. Cant say is it coke or sanding the clutch discs but it is totally different with 0 clutch drag after. Haven't taken it for a long ride but test was amazing. Hope it lasts a while. Thanks for solution.

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

thanks , for me it works perfect ! Also sometimes try to change location of plates and it can make huge improvement

[@248rok]

Do you have any sugestions? It didnt work for me at all. I was doing for 2h 😅 600 first round than than 1000. Also i have change the order/position of the disks

[@WarrenHodder]

@@248rok Sorry no. I used 400 which was wet. I followed the instructions and made a small error. After the coke I rinsed off the plates and left to dry for an hour and they had already a very light development of rust so I sanded again quickly using oil and cleaned them again before installation..

[@248rok]

@@WarrenHodder yes i had to do the same with the first adn second one the rest were ok.+ I was useing the same metod so brushing the with wet sandpaper. So maybe my problem was that my sand paper was not rough enough? Because i used 600 and 1000. And you used only 400 wasn't the plate to rough after?

[@248rok]

@@WarrenHodder also what oil do you have. I am useing motorex top speed 4t 15w50. I was thinking of swiching to something else maybe 10w40 gearoil and halfsyntetic

Hi The Dirt Bike Rider! Question: All clutch disk kit must be serviced using sand paper cleaning? On dirt bikes and street bikes, how much often hours/miles that service must be done? Thanks to you! Regards from Colombia South America.

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

This is just trick to lose friction, i cant call it service. I do it always when i notice clutch drag. Maybe every 50-100hour it deepens on riding style and terrain

[@woodsrider117]

I heard of coke put in the toilet to clean the porcelain.. didnt think of clutches!

[@Tklatti01]

What grit sandpaper?

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

Area 51 Enduro-Tony i used 400, just don’t use it dry. And be careful to do it on flat surface

[@cameronmeyers3698]

What grit sand paper?

[@endaju]

P400 I think i see in the video

[@pseudostyle6633]

Oh my god ! 😂

[@markhingst5368]

Simple white vinegar works better and faster (~10 minutes) and is even cheaper than coke.

[@leonweis7886]

Hello nice Video. Can some help me? I have a KTM EXC 2018 and my frontbrake is very soft and the brake disc is ok and the brake Pads also ? Someone know a a tip to fix it

[@andreig8895]

You need to bleed the brake.

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

i think you have air in system, otherwise you need replace seal inside brake cylinder (top)

[@leonweis7886]

@@TheDirtbikeRider i try to get the air out. I pump with the brake cylinder top and than open the valve at the brake cylinder ( down Side) but i don't help enough. Is that right

[@quinnwarman5139]

You need to reverse bleed with a syringe pump brake fluid from the caliper on wheel up to master cylinder on handle bars until air bubbles gone

[@robertnowak819]

Steel clutch plate goes first and last not friction plate

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

correct, i forgot one to remove. It stayed inside clutch basket

[@Haze-derr]

Is that on every bike bit of a noob question steel then friction and then end on a steel

[@Motors4LifeOfficial]

Would the fuel work good to?

[@lildeanc]

Can you type a full sentence?

[@Motors4LifeOfficial]

@@lildeancif the fuel would work like Coca Cola?

[@jpsholland]

Everything that cleans the plates. This include fuel, brake cleaner, MEK, acetone.

[@248rok]

For me didn't work. I was haveing the same problem and tryed it... Cocacola +2h od sandpaper use 600fist round and than 1000.waste of time, still haveing the same problem. Anyone has any sugestion what else i can try?

[@248rok]

@Yo Joe actually i did it again with 400 paper and it was better + i changed 3 metal plates that were crocked and now it works like new 💪 for the last 30h. So nice solutions

[@248rok]

@Yo Joe lucky me 💪 i almost payed the deposit 🤣

[@Crust2013]

Goes away when it's warmed up on my 450

[@LABINSKENDURO]

полезное действие, но жаль что не надолго помогает))

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

LABINSK ENDURO please english

[@Moto_Box]

да, но зато дёшево и сердито)))

[@LABINSKENDURO]

@@Moto_Box я так и делаю, а ещё можно в начало 2диска железных тонких ставить если фрикционы подстерты и тогда ваще 🔥 огонь 😀

[@LABINSKENDURO]

@@TheDirtbikeRider ok 😀

[@LABINSKENDURO]

@@TheDirtbikeRider useful action, but it’s a pity that it does not help for long))

[@gaming_dady2]

Mogo si i sodu bikarbonu i vodu

[@scoremxcom]

Will Diet Classic Coke work, how about Sprite? Maybe chocolate milk? oj?

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

I think chocolate milk is best for this 😅

[@onenessseeker5683]

Use wet & dry paper instead of sand paper cause otherwise you could end up taking too much metal off. sand paper is better for wood

[@DiDoSvK]

Your clutch looks totally fucked, overheated. It must be also slipping.Nice trick for the clutch drag though 👍

[@endurofan9854]

in my opinion, brake cleaner is more appropriate than coca cola... clean slytly both disc and plate with sand paper then wash with brake cleaner... it does the trick and more quicker too

[@2wheelLove]

people just like using coke to fix things, and then say that its some miracle elixor. lol All he did was de-glaze the clutch plates with sand paper. The coke is acidic, which probably aided in breaking down and oils or contaminants found on the plates. He could of used break cleaner, gas ,kerosene, or what ever else he had on hand.

[@vanakunn]

coke is cheaper

[@VikVik-je8go]

the plate is going first at 5:30 minute ??? it should be the metal plate

[@kenbulkeley9544]

why don't you just add a bit of bourbon to your Coke and drink it like anybody else would then wash your clutch plates in a degreaser ? Now you've got a sticky parts container as well as a sticky workbench that's just gonna collect crap. You've deglazed the plates with the emery and you can back the screws on the clutch basket if required. Problem solved.

[@doms4417]

Comprend rien explipliquer en français(sous titrage)

[@abdullahodabasi2139]

I was trashed mine after watch this video DO NOT sand out your clutch disks!

[@VikVik-je8go]

I done it works but not 100 %

[@lopotovsky]

in the manual the metal disk goes first

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

lopotovsky correct, i forgot one to remove. It stayed inside clutch basket

[@stevebloke5455]

so it was the coke that fixed it not removing the glaze with the sand paper allowing oil to stick for better lubrication.... RIIIGHT

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

coke is cleaning it really good, sandpaper is just there to make small channels for allowing oil to go between plates and disc

[@chadrides914]

Did you inspect the clutch basket? Did you inspect the inner clutch hub? Look for grooved basket and or hub. Coca Cola? Nah man. Not the right thing to do. Not at all.

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

Chad i had this problem often on KTM, coca cola always fixed it. hub and basket are perfect for hours what i got on this bike

[@stone4858]

🤣🤣🤣

[@epp1733]

It will have the same result also with coca cola zero or light?? !! Just buy a new set of clutch plates and drink the coke...

[@deborahchesser7375]

Kontaksakis Iasonas that’s what said

[@scottyd980]

Anyone use something else. I used Pepsi and now my bike runs backwards.

[@TheDirtbikeRider]

what do you think we should try with beer? bike will start to fly hahaha

[@tracker1315]

Holy shit you got fast fingers

[@Kissamauhau1]

I assume this works with things like brake cleaner.

[@hardendurobosnia17]

Does it??