Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I have a 1980 CR250 with an odd clutch problem.
I start the bike in neutral, pull in the clutch lever, and kick the bike in gear.
The bike bucks and takes off.
It acts like the clutch is not disengaging.
If you pull in the clutch lever and hit the brakes, the bike will stop, and then the engine stalls.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Dale E White
1980 CR250R
2002 R1

I'm guessing you already adjusted it correctly.

Yes, sometimes they stick. Usually rocking the bike back and forth while in 2nd gear will break it loose.

Worse case is you have to pull the side cover, pull in the clutch, use a flat tipped screw driver to pry all the plates apart.

Be careful with the clutch basket as they break or bend really easily.

If you have not pulled the clutch apart since you got the bike I would start with checking the adjustment, then pull the clutch cover. For peace of mind, I would pull out the clutch plates and check them for damage, measure the clutch springs to enure they are not sacked out, and also look at the clutch basket fingers for notches. If any of this looks "iffy" I would spring for a new set of Barnett plates and springs. And of course change the transmission oil and pre-soak the new plates in it too. I did help another CR250R owner who did all of the above and still had a problem. The push-rod checked out OK, but the actuator arm that moves the rod was worn.

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

Clutch basket tabs may have grooves worn it them. If so, use a large file and gently remove them.