Hi everyone, I've now got my Monty all built up and the engine is sweet, the only issue now is the clutch seams to drag and the bite is a little snatchy and unpredictable, I've adjusted the lever, it's running on ATF,

What I did notice when I rebuilt the engine one of the steel plates had some discolouration as if it had been hot?

Has anyone got any known fixes for these clutches?

Do monty clutches feel as nice as my beta clutch?

Thanks in advance

Edited January 1, 201412 yr by betarich

usually very good i never had a problem with mine but my mates was a pain he cured it by doing the beta clutch fix and fitting dimpled steel plates then it was perfect

first thing don't use ATF been there done that one, mine used to drag so I ended up fitting new CR 250 plates in it and now use putoline light gear oil problem solved its lovely and smooth with no grab, as for the steel plates being discoloured yes they have got hot but as long as they are not warped shouldn't cause a problem

You need dimpled steel plates, you can buy stock Honda 1989 cr250 steel plates or use aftermarket dimpled steel plates from BVM motorsports for less than half the cost. I recommend the bvm plates.

Hi , Light gear oil should help in the long run with the new plates ....

Stay safe

Thanks for the advice guys, so is it just the steel plates I need to change or the full clutch?

Also I've heard of people running ATF in monty's with no problems, I'm not not really clued up on gear oils, will any good quality light gear oil do? The only reason I'm asking is I have an account with castrol and get it at cost.

the putoline oil that im using is sae 75w so if Castrol do something like that it will be ok, as for the clutch I got away with only changing the friction plates the steel plates were like new in mine, but remember to coat new friction plates in oil before you fit them

Edited January 1, 201412 yr by mont315

You only need to replace the steel clutch plates with the aftermarket dimpled metal plates to eliminate the 315 clutch drag. Obviously if the friction plates are worn out, replace them as well but they have no effect on the infamous 315 clutch drag.

Gear oil now changed to castrol gear oil, fingers crossed this should fix the problem if not new plates

replaced plates on my 99 315r and have used light gear oil since, this fixed the drag problem, however the clutch is very on off with not alot of feel any suggestions?

Besides the dimple disc, that Montesa finally switched to, oil has a big effect on clutch operation. Montesa specs a very thin Elf HTX740 synthetic gear oil, but it is expensive, and for me difficult to locate. My research.

Thick oil slow hookup and increases drag

Thin oil faster hookup and less drag.

Regular ATF or Ford type vs Dextron type; Dextron has smoother lock up, regular ATF quicker lock up.

Thick and thin above refers to the oil's viscosity at 40C.

Gear Oils................................ @40^oC........... @100^oC

GRO Gear Extreme 75W*......... 20.............. 5.2

Elf HTX740.syn........................ 21.4............. 7

Valvoline Dextron VI ATF syn.. 29.5........... 6.0

Motul ATF VI*..........................30,5...........6.10

Mobile 1 Dextron VI…………. 29.5…..…. 5.3

Royal Purple Max ATF........... 35.0............. 7.5

Valvoline +4........................... 34.13.......... 7.55

Allison Transynd syn ATF ..... 53.9............ 9.75

Elf HTX735.............................114............17.8

Amsoil 75W-90 syn**……….. 130……. 15.6

Amsoil 80W-140 syn**…….... 256……. 26.4

Silkolene Medium 85W-90... 150-340..... 15

Silkolene Light 75W-80......... 100-180..... 15

Silkolene Comp 80W-90........ 100-145.... 15

Silkolene Pro SRG 75............ 100-180..... 11

* info from Trials Central posts.

** Hypoid gear oil - do not use in a wet clutch

I have CR250 plates and discs (dimpled) in my 315R and switched to Valvoline Dextron VI ATF syn and have the best clutch action of any bike I have owned, and much smoother clutch action than with the Elf oil.

Edited January 3, 201412 yr by chuck4788

This is the oil I've put in mine and it has improved the clutch from the ATF but it still drags,

http://www.castrolmoto.com/en/products/mtx_part_synth.php

Replace the steel plates with dimpled ones to remedy the drag.

where do you get the dimpled plates, does the 2004 have them?

My 04 has dimpled plates. My 315R Parts List says 97+ use 22351-MG3-000 plates, but the first part of the number is wrong for Honda clutch plates, it should be 22321-MG3-000 which is also used on 83-07 XR500/600/650, & 89-90 GB500.

Others have used CR250R plates, which are also dimpled, and discs for smooth clutch action.

Four of the frictions in my 04 have Honda Product Code "FA4" marked on them which is 83-90 CR250/500.

Since I bought the bike used I don't know if the discs/plates are OEM but my clutch is very smooth and no drag.

The engine in the 315R seem to be a typical Honda design based on corporate design criteria and reusing previously designed parts. IMO the clutch is a mid size off road Honda clutch that is also used in other Montesa and Honda models.

Apico sells clutch disc and plate kits for the 315R/4RT (same size plates & discs).