Motorcycle Repair: Clutch, worst case scenerio, thumb wheel

Question
I have a 2000 CR250R that when I first bought it and took it out everything seemed to be normal. Now when I take it out if I pull the clutch in (which feels normal and tight) and put the bike in gear it acts as though the clutch is not engaged and kills the bike. If you rev up the motor some and engage it does much better. Is it just out of adjustment or could there be other issues or is the the norm?

Thanks,
Ron

Answer
Ron,Check the adjustment first.With bike off there should be approx 2mm in free play at the front most edge of the clutch lever before the clutch is engaged. You should feel some resistance from the clutch through the cable at the lever. Turn the locking thumb wheel out away from the lever to achieve this measurement then lock the thumb wheel against the perch,now try this. Sometimes the cables stretch with use and sometimes the worst case scenerio is the clutch is going out early because of running out of adjustment.