Hard to find neutral? (kz400)

Ok... one last question then I'll stop for a while and let others go There are just so many things I'm having to fix at once... so sorry I post so many topics. I'm guessing that my clutch is bad... But I really have a hard time finding neutral when the engine is running. Maybe it could be as simple as a new clutch cable... which I do have and plan on installing. I have adjusted my clutch cable according to the manual... But it still feels really tight...My hand starts to cramp up after 10 mins of riding. Might i be so lucky that the new clutch cable will take care of this problem.. Or should I plan on replacing the clutch right away. I do have some clutch slippage....every now and then it will slip into neutral..lol.. from 2nd. But most of the time getting to 2nd from 1st only takes one click. Any suggestions?

Hopefully you have the Service Manual for your bike. There is a clutch Push Rod adjustment that should be done Before the Cable adjustment. This mechanism also needs lubricating. So if/ when you replace the cable, look at this to be cleaned and lubed, then adjusted.
Also the type of oil you use in a Motorcycle with a Wet Clutch will effect the clutch operation.

A new clutch cable might help, they're cheap anyways. I know on mine, when I first got it, it was real stiff. I'd sometimes get the clutch slipping at high loads because the cable hung up and didn't quite let off the clutch all the way. New cable took care of it. I'd replace the old one, and then check the stuff Motor Head said. The clutches tend to last a long time, so I wouldn't replace them until I'd checked all that stuff first.

If you're jumping out of gear, that sounds like a different problem all together.

thank ya'll for the help. My clutch doesn't slip out of gear all the time. Once in a blue moon when shifting from 1st to 2nd (on my bike only takes one click up/ seems to totally skip neutral) it will for a brief time stay in 2nd then slip down to neutral. I did use the wrong oil when I first did the initial oil change (used regular motor oil). I drained it a soon as I realized I messed up... and put Motorcycle specific oil (4 stroke). Hopefully the clutch cable and the clutch push rod adjustment Motor Head suggested will work. Thanks

recez wrote: thank ya'll for the help. My clutch doesn't slip out of gear all the time. Once in a blue moon when shifting from 1st to 2nd (on my bike only takes one click up/ seems to totally skip neutral) it will for a brief time stay in 2nd then slip down to neutral.

It is suppose to bypass neutral.
Just keep riding, it will come around.

recez wrote: Ok... one last question then I'll stop for a while and let others go There are just so many things I'm having to fix at once... so sorry I post so many topics. I'm guessing that my clutch is bad... But I really have a hard time finding neutral when the engine is running. Maybe it could be as simple as a new clutch cable... which I do have and plan on installing. I have adjusted my clutch cable according to the manual... But it still feels really tight...My hand starts to cramp up after 10 mins of riding. Might i be so lucky that the new clutch cable will take care of this problem.. Or should I plan on replacing the clutch right away. I do have some clutch slippage....every now and then it will slip into neutral..lol.. from 2nd. But most of the time getting to 2nd from 1st only takes one click. Any suggestions?

Could be a problem with the "throw out" assembly. I had that problem with my 750 twin when it was new, I had to replace it. Yours may need cleaning and lubing.

Nebr_Rex wrote:

recez wrote: thank ya'll for the help. My clutch doesn't slip out of gear all the time. Once in a blue moon when shifting from 1st to 2nd (on my bike only takes one click up/ seems to totally skip neutral) it will for a brief time stay in 2nd then slip down to neutral.

It is suppose to bypass neutral.
Just keep riding, it will come around.

+1 Downshifting from 2nd to 1st gear is 1 click; going from 1st to 2nd gear is one click. Going from 2nd to neutral or 1st to neutral takes a soft half click. Ed