Clutch questions. '05 EC300

[CampX]

Been in the saddle of my '05 EC300 a lot more this year, and am loving it. I started riding with a couple of buddies (both are riding 2013 KTM 300s), and they are pushing me real hard, and I am definitely improving fast. (Just bought the EC300 last year, my 1st dirtbike I've ever owned, at the age of 41). They have been riding, and racing, for a long time, and the rides we have been doing are 3-4 hours of tight single track, lots of logs to cross, roots, rocks, creek crossings, and seriously steep hills. Lots of catch-up rests for them; I am whipped by the end, what a workout!
Maybe its me improving, or not knowing any better cuz this is the only dirtbike Ive ever had, but the clutch is super annoying. Gotta pull it all the way to the grip to fully engage, and I've got a 1/2-1 inch only, from the bar, til it starts grabbing. If you aren't on the gas by then, stall. Funny thing though, you can feather the clutch at about 1/2 pull to get the revs up. Tried bleeding it, tried the adjuster on the 'plunger', but still feels the same.
Any ideas? I read in here about how sweet the Gas Gas clutch is......how IS it supposed to feel?
Thanks!

[celler]

It is not normal. Sounds like you have air in the system.

[CampX]

Okay. Did some searches on the ole 'net, and found out a few things. Backed out the setscrew adjuster on the plunger, bled the system more, added more fresh brake fluid, bled again. Definitely feels more 'positive' now.

[Jakobi]

Originally Posted by CampX

Okay. Did some searches on the ole 'net, and found out a few things. Backed out the setscrew adjuster on the plunger, bled the system more, added more fresh brake fluid, bled again. Definitely feels more 'positive' now.

I hope this isn't an AJP master which requires mineral oil.

[CampX]

Umm, it is an AJP master, but it says to use DOT4 brake fluid on it....whats the story?

[noobi]

Dont worry. Ajp made clutch masters that used one or the other at various times. So long as you follow what's on the cap, you'll be fine.
Sometimes people assume the master cylinder runs one or the other without checking, which would be what Jakobi was referring too.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[Jakobi]

Spot on noobi

[CampX]

Phew, thanks guys! Had me worried for a sec. Gonna take her for a rip and see what kind of change it made. That, and the compression adjustment to the forks that I just learned about.....wondered why I was feeling pounded by the front suspension, the compression clickers were 4 clicks from max!

[CampX]

Just got back from a little ride. Clutch is still the same, as in needs to be pulled to the bar in order to work. No leaks anywhere, no air coming out when bled. Maybe try the backwards bleed next....oh ya, I'm using Rotella 15-40 in the tranny, never had a problem before with it.

[desertgasser300]

Just toss a Rekluse in there and forget about it. (swatting bees and stirring the pot)