Hi Everyone.
I have owned a 2000 RC51 and a 2001 RC51 for 2 years. Sold the 2001 last month and bought a 2006 RC51 thinking it would be better :mad:

Bought bike with only 2,400 miles.

The engine runs fine and the clutch works fine when riding. There seems to be a problem when I take off or want to pull a wheelie at start or from 5 or 10 mile per hour. It feels like the clutch slips for a second or so and won't grab ( so there is no wheelie ). Oh and yes the 2000 and 2001 RC51's could pop a wheelie right off the start no problem.

I first thought that the previous owner may have burned the clutch so I changed it to aftermarket clutch plates and springs by BARNETT.
STILL same thing... no wheelie.

I put a PowerCommander III on the bike and there seems to be a little extra power on the bike but still no wheelie off the start.

Thoughts?

DO YOU THINK IT's the NUT behind the handle-bars :-)

Anyways, any thoughts would be great.

thank you,
nicholas from Boston Massachusetts.

If you have stock 16/40 gearing, it may be too tall a gear.
With 15/41 you shouldn't have a problem.
The main difference between SP1 and SP2 clutches is the judder spring and seat on the SP2's for smoother clutch engagement. Still, it shouldn't affect clutch performance.

As for pulling wheelies all the time...it's your bike, but have a heart.
It's hard on fork seals and steering head bearings.

Thank you so much for the info.
Well it not that I pull wheelies all the time it's just that I know that something is wrong.

Your comment on the judder spring has led me to do some searching.

I am now thinking that the original clutch must have been put in wrong or taken apart by someone. From what I remember when I upgraded and put things back in the same order it does not match up with the picture:
http://fiche.worldofpowersports.com/kneedraggers/Honda_OEM/HondaMC.asp?Type=13&A=576&B=10

I will take apart again and check.

my clutch operation sucks big time from a takeoff. Have you bled and changed the fluid in your master cyl.? That helped mine alot. Not a big fan of the feel of hyd. clutches. this is my first and maybe its just mine but it just does not have the feel like a cable operated clutch. I need to put my new clutch in before i really judge