ssdt1980 Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 Hi, I've got a 250 Sherco 2005 model, the clutch doesn't work until the bike has been running for a bit and you go up and down the gears a few times. Also I've been having major problems starting it when it gets warm. I like the bike but the starting thing is doing my head in, any sage advise from anyone would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikespace Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 Clutch thing is fairly common, and i think sometimes you either get one that always clears or one that doesn't. My 290 I can guarantee is always clear, but my lads 80 I always have to jump on and run it with the brakes on until it free's. They've been treated exactly the same and with the same oil etc. Does get better when used more though. Has it been sat around a fair bit? I'll leave the guru's to help you out with the warm starting problem, but the standard things for me which may help you out if you don't do them already: I whip the carb off every week, becomes a 10-15 minute job. Drop the float bowl off and blow it out - the 14mil spanner you use to get the main jet off balances nicely across the float guides, stops the floats flying off while you give it a blast with compressor - amazing how far you can get them to fly otherwise Blow out all the jets Once every 2 or 3 times, I take off the inlet 'banjo connector' and clean the filter out. My lad strips the bikes off on a Monday after they've been washed, at some point during the week I wash out the airbox, and slip the filters in with a white wash , then it's just 15 minutes to shove them back together once it's all dried naturally. Change plug every couple of months, at a couple of quid it's not even worth cleaning them. Does it run nice and crisp for the rest of the time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssdt1980 Posted September 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 It runs fine, and starts from cold no problem, I think I'll just have to live with the clutch problem. I was thinking is the oil to heavy and gets thinner as it gets warmer maybe. I'm using the bike once a month at the moment as my Bultaco is far more reliable, not bad for a bike that's 30 years old. It's frustrating queueing at a section and then not being able to start the Sherco, being new to modern bikes I don't know much about the fan, etc, to be honest I don't remember the fan ever working, could the engine be getting to hot, because it does always fire up eventually, but by then you're knackered kicking it over. Thanks for your advise though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opdeweegh1 Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 Hi there. A couple of things to look out for!! Definately change the plug and while your doing it remove the HT plug cap, it just unscrews from the HT lead, cut a couple of mm off the HT lead and then screw the plug cap back on nice and tight, put a small tiewrap around the end of the HT cap where it screws onto the lead. This has been a common problem on a couple of sherco's recently. The clutch issue is common to most Sherco's. Before starting the bike put it into 4th gear and pull the clutch in, rock the bike back and forth on a hard surface till you break the friction between the clutch plates, once the bike is able to be pushed forward without dragging the tyre on the surface then it will be firne for the rest of the day. Hope this helps. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted September 4, 2008 Report Share Posted September 4, 2008 Letting the bike sit too long will almost guarantee the clutch plates will stick together, rouhgening the steels with #80grit will help. See the other recent post re fans, fuel and such! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabomb Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Hi,as said above,the clutch thing is normal.My bike does it,its also fairly hard to start when warm.I changed the plug for an iridium type.Its definatly improved the starting.If it wont go after about 5 kicks,i usually give it a bit of choke,then it usually starts.I`ve just got used to it now. The fan should come on fairly often,especially when you are queing at a section.Keep an eye on it make sure its working.Hope this helps!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi ssdt1980, Was that the last time you rode the Scottish? I have fixed a few clutch sticking problem bikes over the years that have not responded to using an ATF or 10 weight mineral oil. Strip out the plates, have a look on the steel plates to see the ring where the fibre plates rub, in the centre of this ring, drill a series of 6mm dia holes in a radial fashion, about 5 or 6 will do per plate but be sure to ease off the burrs with a countersink bit after drilling, on both sides. Do this to all of the steel plates - that is assuming that the clutch has steel and fibre plates. This prevents the fibres from sticking - saves weight too! Ta ta, PeterB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbodean Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 It runs fine, and starts from cold no problem, I think I'll just have to live with the clutch problem. I was thinking is the oil to heavy and gets thinner as it gets warmer maybe. I'm using the bike once a month at the moment as my Bultaco is far more reliable, not bad for a bike that's 30 years old. It's frustrating queueing at a section and then not being able to start the Sherco, being new to modern bikes I don't know much about the fan, etc, to be honest I don't remember the fan ever working, could the engine be getting to hot, because it does always fire up eventually, but by then you're knackered kicking it over. Thanks for your advise though. I have the exact same problems with my 05 290, i've only ridden 2 trials on it, and both times it's been a nightmare to start when warm, before the second trial i changed the plug hoping that would improve things, but still no good. The clutch i can live with as my 03 sherco had the same problem, but the starting issue's are a pain also getting more knackered from trying to start it than from riding it. My fan is kicking in and out on mine when stood and the coolant level seems ok, don't think the eninge is getting overly hot, but the exhaust did get very hot by the end of the last trial i rode, even started to melt the mudgaurd. I bought mine from a local dealer, so have returned it to them for them to take a look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan williams Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) Partially blocked pilot jets will do this sometimes as the bike starts fine with choke but has an issue when hot as it is too lean to start. First thing I'd do is strip down the carb and blow out all the holes with compressed air. Also make sure the gas cap vent is clear and that the vent tubing on the carb is open. Also look to make sure the kill switch isn't partally shorting causing a weak or dead spark. After that hard starting can mean it's time for a set of rings. They do wear and if the bike is three or four years old it can be time to throw in a new set. Even though it seems to run strong once the bike fires up you'll be surprised at just how much spunkier it'll run with new rings. I wouldn't bother doing anything to the cylinder just throw the rings in and it's done. Edit: I should note that lean jetting will also cause hard starting and we are getting to the time of year when going up one size on the pilot and main are useful due to the colder, denser air. Edited September 16, 2008 by Dan Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbodean Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I've disconneted the Kill switch on mine as that was one of the first things that was suggusted to me, made no difference. Phone the dealer i bought mine off for an update this morning and they have sent the stator off to be tested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssdt1980 Posted September 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 Hi, Thought I'd follow up what happened next. I cleaned out the carb, changed the plug to an irridium type and cut off a couple of mm off the ht lead. I don't know if it was a combination or one specific thing, but for the first time the bike started first time every time even when warm and the fan did kick in as well, so thanks to all of you who who offered advice...... success! thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbodean Posted September 26, 2008 Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 Hi,Thought I'd follow up what happened next. I cleaned out the carb, changed the plug to an irridium type and cut off a couple of mm off the ht lead. I don't know if it was a combination or one specific thing, but for the first time the bike started first time every time even when warm and the fan did kick in as well, so thanks to all of you who who offered advice...... success! thanks. Glad u got yours sorted , mine is still at the dealers . Will have to let them know tomorrow what u did to yours. The stator came back from being tested as Good, when refitted to the bike it now won't start at all, has been sent off to be re-tested incase it was damaged in transit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbodean Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 (edited) My bike is now sorted aswell Turns out the company who tested the stator sent the wrong one back , fitted the correct one back on and the bike and it started. They also found that the Pilot jet had been changed to a different size, so a standard size jet was re-fitted, Carb was cleaned out and a new plug cap was fitted and now it starts perfectly and the exhaust is no longer get really hot. Edited October 5, 2008 by turboDean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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