Hi All-

This doesn't happen all the time, and it has done it since new. My 02 Raptor, while in first gear, with the clutch lever all the way in, will pull forward just slightly when I start it. Anyone else have this problem? What could it be?

Also, on adjusting the clutch (which I have only done on cars), how do you go about it. I notice that when I pull in my clutch lever, and watch the linkage arm on the clutch cover, the linkage arm starts to move immediately. But, I think there is some play in there. When I pull in on the clutch lever, it moves kinda freely for about 3/8 to 1/2 inch. The way I've always checked clutches in cars is to drive down the road with the rpm's up a little, and start to engage the clutch. It shouldn't start to slip immediately, but after a few inches on the clutch petal (maybe a 1/2 inch on the raptor?), and then it should fully disengage a few inches before I get the pedal to the floor (again, another 1/2" on the raptor?). Basically, it should fully engage or disengage with play left on both ends so you know you aren't slipping the clutch while riding. Anyway, how do you guys go about checking it on your raptors?

Thanks for the help in advance...

 

Blue,
The reason it feels like that when you first start it up is because of the lack of (lubrication) oil in the clutches. Remember, the clutch in the Rap is only lubed while the motor is running. You will also notice how hard the Rap is to push when the motor is not runing and it is in gear with the clutch pulled in, same thing.

Regarding the free play in the clutch. I adjust mine to where there is 3/8-1/2" free play or better described not having any real resistance on the hand lever itself. Yes, the bottom lever still moves a bit during this free play, but there is no real resistance to speak of. If you have too much free play you will know by the hard time you'll have finding nuetral.

 

Mr. swytak-

Thanks for coming through with the message. I appreciate it! Especially about clearing up why is seems to move a little when I start it. That helps. I always worried about it. Also, the other thing that has bugged me a little is that neutral has always been kinda a pain to hit. Recently, though, I have noticed that when dropping from 2nd to 1st, and first to 2nd, it sometimes hits neutral, or it ends up with a mis-shift (with all the tranny posts I've read, each time this happens I feel like someone's kicked me in the juevos). I just got new boots, so I was attributing it to that. We'll see. But before, neutral was kind of a half shift up from 1st....you have a raptor, I hope you know what I mean.

Thanks!