Motorcycle Repair: No/Delayed high end power (2001 Yamaha Wolverine 350), yamaha wolverine, screw out

Question
Hi Gary,

Hoping you can help troubleshoot.

My quad (2001 Yamaha Wolverine 350) starts up and idles just fine. In neutral, revving the engine sounds and feel ok.

In first gear, the quad starts moving and accelerates nicely. In second gear, I get to about 1/2 way to where I would shift into third and lose power. The engine continues to run. It just doesn't generate the power needed to propel the machine.

Feathering the throttle, I can keep it moving and eventually get it up into third gear, but again, there isn't any power to keep the machine accelerating. The only other thing I can mention is going uphill is definitely worse than flat terrain. To get up a steep grade, I have to run it in second gear at a top speed of a fast walk.

Ideas?

Sean

Answer
Sean,It sounds as if the clutch is slipping.There are two clutches in this unit.One is a centrifugal that locks and spins with the crankshaft the other is a mechanical type that engages and disegages with the shifter movement. The most likely culprit is the auto matisc part but the mechanical one can be adjusted from the outside down on the left side of the motor. There may be a small plastic cover with two philips screws, remove this and a nut and slotted screw may be hanging through. Loosen the nut with a wrench and hold ot take a screwdriver and back the screw out untill you feel resistance the turn it back in untill you feel resistance then back it off about 1/8 turn then hold the screw and tighten the nut. Try it again if its still slipping its the other clutch that is going to need to be replaced. Sorry...