A couple of things I noticed riding my 2011 EC300

[GMP]

Problem here is your talking about two different scales of measurement, 80W gear oil is not rated on the SAE motor oil scale. You need to look at the equivalent viscosity in centistokes @ 40 and 100 deg C. I've run 80W Spectro and the clutch drags a lot.

I think this is very tecnique dependent. I can and have made mine squawk occasionally slipping in in very tight trees, but any bike will do that. A Yam 250F will do it and burn the clutch to a crisp in the process. I just had mine out and its like new @ 133 hrs.

Noise from primary gear? Sounds funny to me. Perhaps what they mean is the vibrations from the plates slipping/grabbing are tranfered through the system and you hear the harmonics from the basket, gears, case, side cover, etc. Things usually sound a lot worse than they are for this reason. Ever hear a Cannondale 440? A perfectly good one sounds like its in self destruct mode due to the gear driven valve train and large side cover.

What oils are you guys with the most complaints using?

 

[stainlesscycle]

my clutch has never squawked with amsoil 0w-40. didn't squawk with atf either. but it's an older basket (2000), with cr250 plates, etc. etc... and it's a 200 if that makes a difference (different primary gear i believe....)

 

[Clay]

Problem here is your talking about two different scales of measurement, 80W gear oil is not rated on the SAE motor oil scale. You need to look at the equivalent viscosity in centistokes @ 40 and 100 deg C. I've run 80W Spectro and the clutch drags a lot.

I think this is very tecnique dependent. I can and have made mine squawk occasionally slipping in in very tight trees, but any bike will do that. A Yam 250F will do it and burn the clutch to a crisp in the process. I just had mine out and its like new @ 133 hrs.

Noise from primary gear? Sounds funny to me. Perhaps what they mean is the vibrations from the plates slipping/grabbing are tranfered through the system and you hear the harmonics from the basket, gears, case, side cover, etc. Things usually sound a lot worse than they are for this reason. Ever hear a Cannondale 440? A perfectly good one sounds like its in self destruct mode due to the gear driven valve train and large side cover.

What oils are you guys with the most complaints using?

Glenn,
1.What the heck is a centistoke?
2.That's the good news of this whole problem. It's a irritating noise but the clutch seems to operate perfectly.
3. That's what the man (one of them) from Spain said. Doesn't make sense to me but I have a good friend who is a great mechanic and I think we can narrow it down with a little work and find out exactly what it is.
4. i think the oil use is all over the map.
Clay

 

[REVERUP]

I'm not surprised by the advise of 80wt. Like I said in a different thread it always has worked for me. From what I read 80Wt is comparable to 10W30 and 85Wt is comparable to 10W40.
yes it will drag a bit in colder weather,but it still starts in gear.
I also wondered about technique and if lever adjustment may be playing a part in the excessive noise complaints all of a sudden. Cause my 3 have only made noise after I heated them up significantly with major abuse from slipping the clutch on a gnarly hill or obstacle.

Roscoe

 

[GMP]

Clay,

Centistoke is a measure of viscosity. There are charts floating around the net that compare all the common weight gear, motor, and suspension oils using this standard. EricK is a mechanical/lube engineer and can tell you more should he chime in, I'm just an electronics/software engineer with a love of mechanics.

I've heard them all squeak when hot, Hondas, Huskys, KTMs, GGs, etc. Can't say any are better or worse, just that the GG seems the most durable for sure.

I think that the oil supply may be a factor (on all clutches not just GG) but I would be careful about drilling baskets and hubs too much for fear of setting up stresses in the aluminum.

 

[rgranger]

Thanks Clay,
the boys a rekluse recommended against drilling also, but did say that they were going to look into it from their end.

Any ideas on the Starter making the same / similar squeal?

 

[coopernicus]

My 2 cents:
1999 300EC: Never squawked, used Maxima 80 wt.
2000 300EC: Occasionally squawked under heavy load, used Maxima 80 wt and Rotella Syn.
2003 LTZ400 Quad: Squawks always when cold or under heavy load, used Yamaha 4 stroke oil, has Rekluse.
Pampera: Never squawks, Maxima 80 wt.
1999 KX250: Never squawks even when torturing clutch, Spectro 80 wt

Eric

 

[moto9]

Problem here is your talking about two different scales of measurement, 80W gear oil is not rated on the SAE motor oil scale. You need to look at the equivalent viscosity in centistokes @ 40 and 100 deg C. I've run 80W Spectro and the clutch drags a lot.

I think this is very tecnique dependent. I can and have made mine squawk occasionally slipping in in very tight trees, but any bike will do that. A Yam 250F will do it and burn the clutch to a crisp in the process. I just had mine out and its like new @ 133 hrs.

Noise from primary gear? Sounds funny to me. Perhaps what they mean is the vibrations from the plates slipping/grabbing are tranfered through the system and you hear the harmonics from the basket, gears, case, side cover, etc. Things usually sound a lot worse than they are for this reason. Ever hear a Cannondale 440? A perfectly good one sounds like its in self destruct mode due to the gear driven valve train and large side cover.

What oils are you guys with the most complaints using?

I agree with GMP, I also think it's a frequency thing..similar to a squealing brake.
My thought was feeding more oil to the clutch might quiet it down...I really need some more hours on the bike to be sure.
I work at a large multi brand shop, so I have access to many different brand oils...and I have tried everything on the shelf, honda, golden spectro, maxma, motorx, atf, silkolene and Belray 80w gear oil...none of the oils quieted the clutch squawk.

 

[Clay]

Thanks Clay,
the boys a rekluse recommended against drilling also, but did say that they were going to look into it from their end.

Any ideas on the Starter making the same / similar squeal?

The starter thing is prolly an alignment issue. We have sent several emails to dealers telling them how to align it correctly. Can you contact your dealer about this? If it isn't alignment, then there may be an issue with your starter. The GG starters have a kind of squawking sound to them anyway but not something that is irritating.

 

[rgranger]

Clay, my dealer is 1,000 miles away. Any chance that you can send me the info? I don't think that there is a GASGAS dealer anywhere near Katy, TX? Also, I forgot to notice it is not just the squawk, but that it didn't turn the bike over.

Thanks !
Rob

 

[RONALD BRUNDIGE]

Have you removed the basket and greased or lubed the washer on the back side? I have had plenty of these bikes, never had an issue except in 07 when I was racing mx and forgot to put oil in the bike. oooooppppppppssssss my fault, and I took it apart and pre lubed everything and it was fine after that. Not saying that you have no oil or low on oil but that was the only issue I have ever had with a squeaking clutch on a gasser. Maybe try using green colored springs from the 450? Different oil?, clutch rod?, bleeding fluid or replacing it? or just pound it till something breaks and then you now what it was lol! Good luck on trying to break it cause I have tried and it is tough!!!!!!

 

[Clay]

Clay, my dealer is 1,000 miles away. Any chance that you can send me the info? I don't think that there is a GASGAS dealer anywhere near Katy, TX? Also, I forgot to notice it is not just the squawk, but that it didn't turn the bike over.

Thanks !
Rob

Rob,
TJ's in Austin is a GG dealer. 136 miles.
Basically it's an alignment thing. First loosen the starter from the PV cover. If there is a gap, shim it with washers. If it still does it then its an up and down alignment issue. Also, first make sure that the battery is fully charged. That's the biggest problem most times.
Clay

 

[rgranger]

Ron, just got the bike, haven't done anything yet, first real ride was last sunday.

Clay, thanks I will give that a shot and see what turns out.

 

[Keg]

my solution to clutch squeal (only under serious abuse!) was to fit a 12 front sprocket. Still top 120+ km/h but bottom is just that little bit easier in the tech stuff.

Now need to sort out the jetting, definitely a little rich

I would run 13/51 before running 12/48. The sprockets and chain will last longer and the effect on the suspension should be better with a larger rear sprocket.

 

[swazi_matt]

I would run 13/51 before running 12/48. The sprockets and chain will last longer and the effect on the suspension should be better with a larger rear sprocket.

I will prob go that way when i replace the current setup, but for experimenting it is much cheaper to change the front sproket.
I really thought there would be a bigger difference to the top, but I hardly notice it, guess that is the advantage of 6 gears!

 

[Troy F collins]

I will prob go that way when i replace the current setup, but for experimenting it is much cheaper to change the front sproket.
I really thought there would be a bigger difference to the top, but I hardly notice it, guess that is the advantage of 6 gears!

I agree...Ive done it for years and never noticed any issues..besides its easier and quicker to change back and forth when your out riding

 

[gasgasnz]

well had my first ride on my new 300 and my thoughts are yep its squeals too, thinking of adding extra oil and see if that helps? my sidi's catch in the side covers [ fixed with a bit of duct tape], suspensions way too stiff, so much so we revalved the forks in the back of the van at lunch and backed of all sets on the rear and its pretty dam good now, jetting was 180 main 38 pilot and red JD needle and its running very smooth and clean and boy ya got to love that e-start overall yaa hoo

 

[Jakobi]

I had read about this earlier. I've racked up 1000+km on my 300 riding in pleanty of slops and ST and have given the clutch a fair working. Yet to hear this sound you all speak of. Strange that some do and some don't.. What temps are people who are experiencing it riding in?? must be some common factor