Motorcycle Clutch Plate Replacement Cost? (TBR7, Hawk 250, etc.)

I will talk about motorcycle clutches and their cost, covering all the known issues with owning these Chinese motorbikes.

TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle, Chinese dual-sport bike, like Hawk 250, etc.
Happy TBR7 motorcycle enjoying some sun after getting some work done on her.

Getting Regular Motorcycle Clutch Maintenance Done

One thing we learn from owners of a Chinese dual-sport motorcycle(Hawk 250, TBR7, Brozz 250, etc.), we have to become our mechanics. Chonda motorcycle mechanics typically don’t want to work on these motorcycles since they own every associated problem after they touch them. These Chinese dual sports are not known for quality. 

Well, one of the classic regular maintenance items is the motorcycle clutch. Your clutch will need periodic replacement/maintenance with normal wear and tear. With how we Chonda riders ride (“Ride it like you stole it”), we can tear up clutches faster than usual.

Then add in doing stunts like popping wheelies and let’s not forget burn-outs; we tear up the motorcycle drive chain. Not only do the tires wear out faster, but we wear out everything, in this case, the motorcycle’s clutch.

Nonetheless, we are our mechanics, and even if we get a friend to help, it’s our butts on the bike when it breaks down. So we are 100% overseers.  

How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Clutch On A Motorcycle?

I asked around; many of my friends own Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a few own other brands like Honda’s and BMWs. These are motorcycle shop prices.

Of course, the exact clutch replacement prices are specific to the motorcycle models and where you get the work done. Still, from my research, I found the price ranges from $300 to almost $1,000, with the average falling to about $500+.  

These costs are averages of information others shared with me when they have shops do their clutch replacements.  

Why Is A Shop Motorcycle Clutch Replacement So Expensive?

Most costs associated with getting work done in a motorcycle shop are not just having the job done but the overhead cost. The person working on your motorcycle has invested time and money into their expertise, so the job is done once and done right.

Motorcycle Shop Clutch Plate Replacement Costs Are High.

A motorcycle clutch replacement job can be an all-day affair, from getting the parts to the clutch replacement to the test drive and clutch adjustments. So you are also paying for the motorcycle mechanics time.

Clutch Plates.

So you are paying for this knowledge, time, and place to do the work correctly.

Replacing A Clutch is Difficult? Can I DIY Replace A Clutch Myself?

The clear answer, Yes.

I did a clutch replacement a while back. Learning along the way, I took a shortcut and bought a prepacked motorcycle clutch( TBR7 Clutch Replacement (& Hawk 250 Info) ). I recently worked on my TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle clutch again, replacing all the clutch plates by hand ( How To Replace Your Motorcycle Clutch Plates(TBR7/Hawk 250). ).

So now I have experience doing a regular motorcycle clutch plate replacement rather than taking shortcuts with a prepacked clutch basket.  

From my experience and understanding of Hawk 250, Brozz 250, and Magician, like many Chinese dual sport motorcycles, all use the same engine as the TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle. 

So this information should apply to the whole Chonda dual-sport family. Please leave me feedback. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Motorcycle’s Clutch Plates?

Author’s Notice: This page contains affiliate links, for which I may earn a commission by their use. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Clutch Tools:

First, like any motorcycle maintenance item, you will need a good set of basic motorcycle tools( Must Have Tools For Motorcycle Owners ).

For the actual motorcycle clutch job, I needed one special tool a Bipolar Clutch Tool Clutch Lock Nut Spanner Wrench.

Bipolar Clutch Tools

Clutch Shop Materials:

I use a bunch of blue shop towels, and I love these towels, which upped my maintenance game versus regular kitchen paper towels.

As expected, fresh motorcycle oil( What TBR7 Oil Type Do I Need? ). I plan my motorcycle clutch plate replacement around doing an oil change since it’s easier to drain the oil before doing the motorcycle clutch plate replacement.

T6 Synthetic motor oil for my motorcycle, 1 gallon jug.
Since my TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle is broken in, I use the T6 version of Rotella oil.

The Clutch Plates:

The TaoTao TBR7 uses seven clutch plates that need replacement. I ordered mine online: Motorcycle Clutch Friction Plate Kit For Zongshen CG CB 200cc 250cc.

Total Motorcycle Clutch Plate Replacement Cost Assumptions:

Reusing the engine crankcase gasket is what I do. I carefully remove the gasket enough to get the crankcase cover side cover off and carefully clean off the exposed surface.

I already had the Bipolar Clutch Tool Clutch Lock Nut Spanner Wrench tool.

My Final Total TBR7 Motorcycle Clutch Plate Replacement Cost:

So cost wrapped up, my last motorcycle clutch plate replacement cost me about 20 dollars( < $15 for clutch plates and about $5 for motorcycle oil when I buy the engine oil by the gallon).  

Amazed? I am. Before I got my first motorcycle, the TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle, I had the thought owning, riding, and doing maintenance on a bike was very expensive. Having to rethink this.

The TaoTao TBR7 is a ‘cheaper’ Chinese Dual-sport Motorcycle, like the Hawk 250, Brozz 250, etc., so working on these motorcycles should be cheaper. Especially since we are doing all the work ourselves(including upgrades) and DIY mechanics we are.  

If My Motorcycle Clutch Replacement Cost Assumptions Were Wrong?

If I tore the engine crankcase gasket, I found replacements on eBay for under 20 dollars. I ordered a replacement ahead of time, so it’s a backup gasket. Still, I’ve worked on the motorcycle clutch twice and had no problem reusing the old gasket.

So…. if you replace the gasket with each motorcycle clutch plate replacement, it could double the final cost. But that drives up the final price to about 40 dollars.

Now that I peaked your interest, let me address these final questions that I’m sure still have you sitting on the fence about doing your clutch job.

How Hard Is It To Change A Clutch On A Motorcycle?

First, I wish you guys knew me in person, so it would mean something to you when I say I did it.

Yes, I do my motorcycle clutch jobs. Now twice.  

I needed no lift, drained motorcycle oil out of the engine first, and minimized the mess. I just took my time and made the job work the first time.

How Long Does It Take To Change The Bike Clutch?

A few hours. The longest part is having your new motorcycle clutch plates soak in clean oil. I just do it and leave the plates soaking till I am ready.

Feel clean up takes longer, not in the garage myself. You can wear a glove doing the work, but I don’t and have gunk under my nails and buried in my hands’ creases. 

So other than time to wash my hands, like I said, only a few hours.

Replaced Your Own Motorcycle Clutch Plates?

If so, please tell me about your experiences. I will be posting my recent plate replacement job ASAP.

How much does it cost to replace a motorcycle clutch at your shop?

Did you do the clutch replacement yourself?

Did you let the shop do your motorcycle clutch replacement? What was the cost? The final price?

Update, added a post about my motorcycle clutch job:

How To Replace Your Motorcycle Clutch Plates(TBR7/Hawk 250).

TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle clutch ready for plate replacements.
My TaoTao TBR7, did my own motorcycle replacement and saved money.

Thank you for stopping by.

Ride Safe, Ride Fun!


Click To See My Recommended
TBR7 Upgrades


Picture of me, as a New Motorcyclist.
Just Me…Newly Licensed.

Hi I’m Tom, A New Motorcycle Rider and Blog Author.

I am a new rider(Pa Learners Permit at the end of 2020, and I received a Pa Motorcycle License in 2021 after passing a Motorcycle Safety Course).

I bought my first motorcycle, a TaoTao TBR7, at the beginning of 2021 and have been doing upgrades on that motorcycle since.

I added to my motorcycle collection by buying a Boom Vader Gen 2 in 2022, and that Grom-Clone motorcycle has been upgraded by me as well.

I continue to ride my Boom Vader Gen 2 motorcycle as well as my TaoTao TBR7 dual-sport bike.

Read more on my About Me page.

Fun Fact: I’ve only been on one group ride.

1 thought on “Motorcycle Clutch Plate Replacement Cost? (TBR7, Hawk 250, etc.)”

  1. I recently got a 2020 brozz recon. You just can’t beat these “Chondas” for the price! Btw, I like the nickname “Chonda”! Lol. I find your blog very informative. I’m sure I’ll be using all of this knowledge I’m soaking up when it comes time to work on mine. I eventually plan on getting the 300 jug for it, but for now I’m enjoying it as it is for a bit. I came to your blog from your YouTube channel, with the intent of reading about your oil cooler, but ended up reading about your clutch replacement instead. Lol. Which leads me to here….have I piqued your curiosity? 😎 Thanks for the info you shared with me. I figured I would leave some newly learned info back for you. I was 40yrs old when I learned that it’s “piqued” instead of “peaked”. Don’t ask me why? Lol. It makes more sense spelled the normal way! Oh well. Just thought I’d share.

    Reply

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