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Intermittent clutch problem; Transmission
Topic Started: Jun 16 2011, 06:07 PM (495 Views)
Erski1
Member
[ *  * ]
Having just returned from a tour of europe on my ZZR1200 C2, it developed a problem every morning when cold. The clutch would not engage and the bike would stall on selecting first gear. Once i cycled the bike through a couple of gears on the centre stand the clutch would work no problem, and would carry on working for the rest of the day. This happened every day covering over 2000 miles in a week with no other problem. On coming home changed the oil and clutch fluid, with the problem still remaining. If anyone has any ideas what is causing this I would be grateful.
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Spence
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Ninja Pilot
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I to have/had the same thing and so does a friend of mine who has a zx6r too.....

I find that if I allow the bike to warm up to 52 degree's or more then hold the clutch in for a few seconds while giving it some gentle revs it goes into first with no issues......

if I try to do it before it reaches this temp it lurches forward and stalls.

A mechanic told me it was because the oil is thick and cold which "sticks" the clutch plates together.....once warm the clutch plates are free to do their thing :D
Edited by Spence, Jun 16 2011, 08:44 PM.
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Mike Folks
Mike Folks
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On the bikes in the U.S. I'm cautioning riders about using the oils with friction modifiers found in car lubrication. It's not compatable with the wet plate clutches in Kawasaki motorcycles.

Read this:

Best Oils To Use In Your Bike (Just My Opinion)

Engine oil : The commercial grade oils are clearly superior to the mass market oils. For the best protection in your bike or car, use Shell Rotella Synthetic, available at Wal-Mart in blue containers . For the best petroleum oil you can buy, get Shell Rotella T, Mobil Delvac 1300, or Chevron Delo 400, available at any auto parts store. On the back of most oil cans is a circular stamp with the certification. Avoid oils that say "energy conserving" in the bottom half of the donut. These oils contain friction modifier additives that could cause clutch slipping over time. All XXw-20 and XXw-30 oils are energy conserving, and should not be used in your motorcycle. Don't buy any oil additives like STP or Slick-50. Here's several listings on all about oil justifying these conclusions.

The Recommended Synthetic Oils :

Shell Rotella Synthetic
5w-40 Delvac 1 Synthetic
5w-40 Mobil-1 SUV/Truck Synthetic
5w-40 AMSOil AMF Synthetic (pricey, but it’s your money)
10w-40 Golden Spectro Synthetic
10w-50 Motul 5100 Synthetic
10w-40 Mobil-1 Synthetic
15w-50 Mobil-1 MX4T Synthetic

The best synthetics are: (in no particular order)

Shell Rotella-T Synthetic 5w-40 (blue container, not white), gallon at Wal-Mart.
Mobil Delvac-1 5w-40 (grey container, not black), gallon at Petro stations, gallon at Farm and Fleet.
Mobil-1 SUV 5w-40, qt anywhere.
AMSOil AMF 10w-40 synthetic motorcycle oil. (again, pricey)
Golden Spectro Supreme, (no price).
Motul 5100 Ester, (no price).

Mobil-1 automotive oils all contain small amounts of moly - about 100 to 200 ppm. This can cause clutch slippage in some motorcycles. I've only heard of this being a problem in h***a Shadows.

For temperatures below -40, I strongly recommend either Mobil-1 0w-30 or the Canadian Shell 0w-40 Rotella. At these temperatures, your car is your life. Using cheap or incorrect oil is risking your life.

For temperatures below -55c, -65f, stay home. Really.

The Recommended Petroleum Oils

Chevron Delo 400 15w-40
Delvac 1300 15w-40
Shell Rotella 15w-40

The best petroleum oils are: (in no particular order)

Chevron Delo 400 15w-40 (blue container) gallon at any auto parts store, gallons at Costco.

Mobil Delvac 1300 15w-40 (black container) gallon at any auto parts store, gallons at Sam's Club.

Shell Rotella-T 15w-40 (white container) gallon at Wal-Mart or any auto parts store, gallons at Sam's Club.

Castrol 15w-40 (Green container) gallon at Wal-Mart or any auto parts store, gallons at Sam’s club.

If you live in another country, you'll have to do a bit of research to decide on an oil. Generally, any oil certified for use in a late model Volks wagon or Mercedes turbo diesel is a good choice. Another good idea is to go to a truck stop and ask the truckers about brands. Rotella is marketed all over the world, but in other countries it's called Rotella or Rimola or Helix Ultra, and the formulation may be a bit different, depending on local climate and preferences. It will likely also be a lot more expensive than it is here.

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Spence
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Ninja Pilot
[ *  * ]
The oil in mine is the oil the bike shop used when I had an oil and filter change, new clutch plates too.

I've heard of synthetic oil making some wet clutches slip....but neither of us are experiencing clutch slip, plus it's fine if you allow it to warm up properly.

Erski1......try the warm up and let me know if it cures it :)
Edited by Spence, Jun 16 2011, 09:50 PM.
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Deleted User
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try holding your clutch lever in when you start the bike
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Erski1
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Thanks for the advice I will try and let it warm up first and see what happens. There must be a solution will check with my local Kwak dealer
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Spence
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Ninja Pilot
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Erski1
Jun 17 2011, 08:07 AM
Thanks for the advice I will try and let it warm up first and see what happens. There must be a solution will check with my local Kwak dealer
Any joy..?? :444
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Erski1
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Most curious problem, ran the bike till warm still would not engage. I rolled the bike and selected 1st bumped into gear then rode normally stopped after 20yds and the clutch worked perfectly. Gave it a test ride no further issues, this has got me stumped, have 10-40 oil in as per book considering thinner option.
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Spence
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Ninja Pilot
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Erski1
Jun 20 2011, 05:54 AM
Most curious problem, ran the bike till warm still would not engage. I rolled the bike and selected 1st bumped into gear then rode normally stopped after 20yds and the clutch worked perfectly. Gave it a test ride no further issues, this has got me stumped, have 10-40 oil in as per book considering thinner option.
Hmm..... other thing i've read that can effect gear selection is chain tension.... after that it starts getting a bit too mechanical for me......gear selectors and the like...lol

whatever it is I hope you get it sorted... :pwq
Edited by Spence, Jun 20 2011, 09:21 AM.
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