| Author | Message | ||
     Whosbeenfartin |
Ok so I got the first chance to ride about 15 miles, various road conditions, my impressions are: This thing feels slow but torquey, it must not be running right still and feels underpowered (am used to a GPZ 1100 with no less than 145 RWHP and 100 RWTQ) Leaked some oil out of the reservoir (took some out, think this is fixed. Clutch drags really bad and is extremely abrupt. Bike doesn't power wheelie as I was expecting it too. (probably not running right) Turns in slow, but doesn't need much lean to turn quick (again I am used to a heavy bike, particularly very top heavy so this is to be expected) !!!!!Very hard to find neutral, shifter effort is too high!!!!! surprising stable and planted for such a short bike doesn't generate as much heat at low speeds as I was expecting Shaking and vibration is surprisingly not very annoying or even noticeable after getting used to it. What I have done so far, New tires, wheel bearings, greased and adjusted steering head bearings, fresh oil in forks, fresh trans oil, new chain tensioner, fresh engine oil and filter, new intake seals, cleaned (new con) plugs, American Sport Bike shifter (original one broke), wileyco slip-on exhaust, and it already had a cone filter intake. Money spent so far including purchase price and registration approx $2700 | ||
| Sleez |
i'd say the clutch needs to be adjusted, that and ensuring the primary chain is properly tensioned, it should shift a bit better. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Also, it is easier to find neutral if you are still rolling to a stop vs. stopped. I don't think there is any other brand as easy to find neutral as Kawasaki! | ||
| Whosbeenfartin |
I followed the FSM on adjusting the chain tension, put it at a hair over 1/2 inch using a caliper, the clutch is adjusted, infact I tried taking 100% slack out of it and it still drags lots at idle. The idles drops about 200 RPM between N (when I can find it) and clutched in gear Oh yeah, I have the belt adjusted "scary loose" per this forum. One more thing, HTF is the the gas cap supposed to work, I feel like an idiot for asking this, but it just doesn't get tight, and it is not sealing, does not lock in. (Message edited by whosbeenfartin on September 04, 2007) (Message edited by whosbeenfartin on September 04, 2007) | ||
| Whosbeenfartin |
"I don't think there is any other brand as easy to find neutral as Kawasaki!" You are correct, I am spoiled with the kawi's shifting, the bike has a shift kit and an undercut and machined trans, oh and an air shifter. And there is no way not to find N, the bike must be deliberately shifted past N unless rolling. | ||
| Sloppy |
When you adjusted the clutch did you open the primary or use the adjuster on the cable? | ||
| Whosbeenfartin |
I followed the adjustment instructions per the FSM to the T when I had the primary cover off. | ||
| Dj_engine |
It was real easy to find neutral on my last Kawi. There seemed to be one between every gear. I had some trouble with my gas cap too. It would stick when taking it off. I read somewhere on this forum that the plastic tabs on the cap like to swell, making it difficult to get the cap off. Sometimes, they even break off inside the tank. Maybe this happened with mine, since I no longer have my numbered special edition gas cap. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Well, we are talking about two very different types of bikes here. Neutral can be elusive. Mine is an 02 X1 with 3500 on it and it can be hard to find. Usually if its running I let clutch out a little then pull it back in and get Neutral every time. If not running try to rock it back and forth a bit. As for the gas cap, mine is a touch loose. Primary chain, sounds right except did you pull plugs out and roll rear wheel to find the tight spot? That may help. Clutch shouldnt drag. Not that much. Take a good look at it again. Cover off and plates removed if you can. And if you go that far maybe even go ahead and put new ones in. Make sure to soak them in oil for about a half hour. Was the bike sitting around for a long time? The plates may be stuck together. Okay, thats all for now. Post again and let us all know what you find. Remember, its not a Jap bike with the smooth clutch. Mines smooth but not like my GSXR 1100. Again, two different bikes.With some fiddling, you will find happiness. Let us know, good luck......Mattu | ||
| Warlizard |
I have a 2K w/ the Buell shifter upgrade. Action is surprisingly smooth though neutral can be a little touchy in hot weather. I try to go into neutral while moving, if it sticks at a stop I just power foward a few inches, and it drops right in. I would graphite the clutch cable maybe even replace it. Also incorrect fluid level will make neutral more difficult. There are many aftermarket parts avail to improve clutch/shifting ie.. Baker, Mueller you can also add/ replace discs. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
My bike was very difficult to shift, and very hard to find neutral. I adjusted the clutch (by feel, with the adjuster on the cable, which seemed very simple) and now all seems great! If you've adjusted the cable all the way, and it's still slipping, maybe it's time for a new cable? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Kawasaki's have a feature in their transmissions where you cannot shift into 2nd while standing still, so neutral is always right there....With the Buells it really is halfway between 1st and 2nd and you have to develop a touch for shifting it "halfway". My 99 S3 shifts well enough that I do clutchless shifts at the dragstrip with no more (or less) mis-shifts than I had on my kawasaki! I don't recall ever missing a shift on the street, so if it is working properly and you are used to the bike - it really should not be a conscious thought (other than sometimes finding neutral). If it is - something is not right. | ||
| Sloppy |
I have worse problems with finding Neutral on my Suzuki than my Buell! Never been a problem for me. I don't care for the long throw between 1st and 2nd, but never a problem finding Neutral. I can't help but think that maybe something isn't adjusted right or if the wrong oil is in the tranny??? Perhaps the pawl on the shifter has shifted due to a bad clip or bad detent plant???? In regard to turn in, tire selection is of prime difference. I don't care for the slow turn in on the BT020 'Stones, but I did like the D208's. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I noticed you replaced the shifter. Did the bike fall on that side? Maybe the "dragging clutch" can be contributed to something (clutch spring?) being misaligned. You mention the turn in is slow. Does the bike have stock bars? My S1W seems to turn much slower (Crossroads bars) compared to my S3T (stock bars). Just a leverage issue. | ||
| Whosbeenfartin |
The clutch has been getting better with every ride, (40 miles total) and at this point its disengaging fine. The trans is also much easier to find N. Guess it just sat too long without riding. The Bike probably has stock bars, I think the turn in is ok, just slower than I expected. |
