X8 problem

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:58 am

Went out for a little zip and may have a problem with the clutching. Never had this before but. Sled engine wise running strong, but at 6000 RPM I cant get above 35 MPH, could the clutch not be fully engaging? I cant see what is going on right now, its a little to dark out and I dont want to crank up the neighbors.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:39 pm

I am totally stumped on this one.

I think my clutch is engaging and disengaging. Its hard to tell. When I am in deep snow and go at a nice pace around 15mph, the sled goes fine. Then if I crack down on the throttle, the sled act as if its missing. I do not feel that its a miss. I took each one of the kids out on a ride and they each way from 50 to 100 lbs. I noticed more of a problem with this sputter type problem, the engine is not sputtering I was trying to listen to it real close. Then the wife got on and we went for a spin, she weighs about 125 and the problem was worse. Now if i get into the gas slow, it will run right up to 50MPH with no problem, if I crack on it with anyone on the sled the sputter problems come back and I can hear like a clattering noise in the clutch area. I also looked at the tach and it is not showing any variation at all. Now after the sled is good and warmed up, the clutch normally engages at 3800 PRM's, sometimes the sled will just sit there and finally the clutch engages at around 4500 RPM's and it feel like it slams like its going into gear. The problems with just me on the sled are not very noticeable till I get her up and moving around 35 MPH, then I lay on the gas more then the problem is back. Deep snow its even more a problem. But if I go into the gas slow she'll move right up to 70MPH smooth as can be.

On last thing to note, when the sled is on blocks, with no load, it doesnt have one problem. Great throttle response.

Any thoughts guys?

JDXsand00s · Post by **JDXsand00s** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:55 pm

my x8 seemed to have this problem before i blew it, it would go exactly 35 mph at exactly 6000rpm. I kept switching plugs and it would run at 7500 and 60 mph. all i can say is check your plugs and be careful so you don't blow yours. also, my 400 seems to have a related problem that i can't figure out, it will run on both cylinders in the air but only on one under load. i keep thinking that it is leaned out and has the same problem my 8 did, but no i am beginning to think that it is the clutch, all of my problems with loss of power came just after i snapped a belt, could this have affected my clutch, its a 100c-p with the dust cover? thanks.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:20 pm

Rich--

I do not have any type tools to do the clutch work. After thinking about this problem some more, the problem acts as if the drive chain is slipping under a heavy load. What do you think? I am going to post pictures tomorrow to show what type of clutch I have. I am not sure if it is the Salisbury or the Comet. Maybe you can tell me by the pics. I also noticed that there is surface rust on the spindle sheave. I lubricated the secondary clutch with WD-40 thinking this might help but nothing changed.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:00 am

This is what the salisbury clutch looks like on my '73 X8.

IMHO, WD-40 is a better solvent than lubricant. You need a can of Comet clutch lube or at least a graphite base lube.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:53 pm

Here is a pic of the clutch.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:57 pm

Here is a pic with the felt marker, I got her up to 35 MPH and this is the result.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:59 pm

Secondary pic

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 4:24 pm

Paul,
The primary clutch is a comet style. Clean off all the grease/dirt and the exact model is stamped on there. It is either a comet 100/101/102. From the picture, the primary is not shifting properly or the secondary is also sticking.
To check the primary for bushing wear;
-remove the clutch with the proper puller
-remove the six bolts mounting the cover plate on, removing every other one until they are all out. Hold down the plate as you are taking out the last few bolts, it is under spring pressure.
-remove the cover plate, can cover and spring
-inspect the movement of the sheave, guide buttons, weights, and rollers and look for wear marks inside the spider from the weights. The weights should be tracking in the center, and not touching the inside of the spider which could cause binding.
- check the bushing movement on the inner movable sheave to see how sloppy it is and look for grooves in the shaft.
-install the cover plate on the shaft without the spring and check the fitness of the bushing.
Clean and inspect the secondary clutch also.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 4:44 pm

How much spring tension is there?

How hard is it getting this thing back together due to the spring tension?

JDXspec · Post by **JDXspec** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:59 pm

The spring pressure is not too hard to over come. And when you reassemble leave the dust cover off it lets the clutch run cooler. (As long as you have the cover and theres no loose clothing nearby

:o )

JDXspec · Post by **JDXspec** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:02 pm

I had a similiar problem on my 295/s (last yr?) It was the secondary sticking and not shifting (staying in low gear). All I had to do was degrease the secondary and it worked much better. Harley basically said it all.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:32 pm

JDXsec--

You had the same problems with the sputtering/jerking issues?

You said you degreased the secondary clutch, did you spray degreaser over the entire unit?

JDXspec · Post by **JDXspec** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:36 pm

No it wasn't a jeerking issue but it would not go very fast. To tell if the secondary is a problem, Take the belt off and by hand open up the secondary. When you let go, it should snap back into the closed position. Its easy to ck anyway. I would recommend taking the scondary off, dissassembling and degreasing the movable parts. As for the jerking issue that would probably be the primary as stated before.

JDXsand00s · Post by **JDXsand00s** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:46 pm

about the secondary, i have been having problems with speed on my 400, last year it was doing 60 but now it will hardly get to 45. I pulled the secondary open and when it tried to snap close there was about a half inch gap in it. i think the only way to close it right now it to run it and let the belt to it as it is really stuck open. how much would this affect speed and performance if any and would a secondary from an x8 be any better as the 400 already has a comet 100cp clutch?

note: when i checked the seal after taking off the clutch last night it was ripped in half and fried to the block, but the spring must have been holding strong as there was no sign of leanness in cyl 2.