Transmission problems

[Pittenger5]

My old dirt bike (04 CRF250r) has been having shifting problems. Im guessing the transmission is getting toasted. Is it worth trying to rebuild it? I have the bike as a spare for friends or whatever, but obviously its not worth dropping too much money into. How much would parts for a rebuild run?

[aldend123]

Define 'problems'. Won't shift, falls out of gear, makes terrible sounds? Assuming you've tried changing the oil?

Quite a few bikes get torn down and sold in pieces on ebay. I bet you could find a low-usage engine to swap in, or transmission internals from someone's grenaded engine.

[Pittenger5]

Having trouble shifting into 2nd. First and neutral are fine, but not going into second smoothly or easily. Or at all sometimes.

[aldend123]

Dragging clutch? Or if this is the back-up bike, is it possible some of the clutch plates have rusted together?

[Pittenger5]

It was my primary bike, but it hadnt been ridden in over a year.
I dont think the clutch is dragging at all, it rode like normal in first gear, but just wont pop into second.

[Paul_E_D]

You likely looking at replacing at least one shift fork, and second gear. possible more gears as well.

[breakdirt916]

the issue (if it's truly a transmission issue) isn't the cost of parts, it's the labor of splitting the cases.

haven't been ridden in over a year? try all the external stuff first - change the oil, lube up grease points, adjust the clutch cable/case, pop off the right side and check out the plates/replace if necessary, chain tension), lever position, counter shaft sprocket/chain, etc.

personally, I don't do "spare bikes for friends" anymore...why should I tie up $1,500 for something that gets ridden once a year, busted up (last "friend" looped the bike, broke off the exhaust bracket, and dented a like-new FMF pipe) and I have to fix/repair (because "sorry bro, I'll get you next week or give a beer")....and you said it's been over year? Yeah, sell the bike...save the $1,000 and pay for their $70-$100 rental once a year for the next 10 years.

The only exception (for me), is a play bike (XR100/TTR125)...because I will use it as a whellie/hoon/mini supermoto bike for myself, it's an excellent bike for beginners of all ages, and it's relatively crash resistant

[Pittenger5]

Ok, all this said, is it worth me trying to fix it? As in doing the labor myself? My dad is a tv repairman, and I have a wicked set of tools, but I dont have any of the specialty tools I might need.
Is it something that can be reasonably done without being an expert? Or better to just cut losses and sell it as is.

[tls25rs]

A transmission with forks etc. off of ebay or the like can be had for usually between $100-200. The factory service manual you can find online for roughly $50. After those two items it just time and tools. There isn't anything really crazy needed for tools. An electric or air impact gun to get some of the nuts loose internal to the cases. Something to keep gears from spinning while you try to take off nuts internally. Patience. I rebuilt my YZ motor from the crank up excluding the head and it wasn't too bad. My Huskys were even easier.

Worth it? is a personal question. If you value having a spare bike around for friends and have the time and interest in doing the labor than yes it is worth it. Couple hundred bucks in parts is cheap money to learn something and have something left when you are done.

[GixerJockey]

Why are Richie's tranny problems even a conversation? Hasn't this been beaten into multiple dead horses?

[breakdirt916]

Me? Hell naw...buy the parts and make your friend fix it? Sure

[jasnmar]

Ok, all this said, is it worth me trying to fix it? As in doing the labor myself? My dad is a tv repairman, and I have a wicked set of tools, but I dont have any of the specialty tools I might need.
Is it something that can be reasonably done without being an expert? Or better to just cut losses and sell it as is.

It's an ultimate set of tools, but close enough Spicoli

[loudbeard]

If you got tranny problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a tranny ain't one.

[Stromper]

Try putting a quart of Kerosene in there and working the clutch a lot with it adjusted for
maximum pull. the plates can be stuck together with varnish

At least look around the shifter and clutch mechaninsm

[Pittenger5]

So, broke the clutch all down (broke being the key word here, as you will see later), everything looks good. Cant see any issue in the transmission from what I can see, dont see any broken chunks anywhere. But of course, I broke one of the clutch spring bolts. Anyone know what size these things are? 04 CRF250r

[csmutty]

So, broke the clutch all down (broke being the key word here, as you will see later), everything looks good. Cant see any issue in the transmission from what I can see, dont see any broken chunks anywhere. But of course, I broke one of the clutch spring bolts. Anyone know what size these things are? 04 CRF250r

Just get one from a dealer. Can't be that expensive.

[tls25rs]

So, broke the clutch all down (broke being the key word here, as you will see later), everything looks good. Cant see any issue in the transmission from what I can see, dont see any broken chunks anywhere. But of course, I broke one of the clutch spring bolts. Anyone know what size these things are? 04 CRF250r

2004 Honda CRF250R A CLUTCH | Ron Ayers claims that it is an M6X20 bolt #22 on the BOM

As Smutty says they aren't expensive to buy the factory bolt/s. Might be worth replacing them all at once.

[Stromper]

Could the bolt have been broken

Have to ask you know where the ball bearing is

Check if anything is warped backing and plates