- Posts: 169
- Thank you received: 31
Clutch Guru's
- GPzEric
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
I changed the oil last month, and put in the same boring Castrol 20w50 GTX that I've used since the time that the Earth cooled, but the bike developed a little clutch slippage - only at full power - starting at 7000-8000 rpm's, so if I really wanted to show it to you, I'd run it up to redline in 1st, it'd start slipping, and on the upshift, it'd keep slipping until I let off the gas.
So my new clutch discs & steels arrived yesterday, I found a nice clean empty ice-cream bucked, tossed them in a quart of oil, and swapped them out today. No problems on the swap - I didn't even have to change the cable adjustment.
It works super, and on a hard one-two shift I overdid it a little, and it started to launch the wheel, and lever effort is the same.
I'd still like to know why it slipped - lots of material on the plates, and the steels aren't even marked.
Any ideas ?
My wife asked me if I still loved her - I said "Honey, I love you more than new carburetor boots ! "
1982 KZ1100B2 (GPz)
1982 KZ750R1 (GPz)
(2) 1981 KZ550D1 (GPz) 1 mint, 1 under construction
1983 GS1100E
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- loudhvx
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 10868
- Thank you received: 1616
I just went through this on a 550.
1981 KZ550 D1 gpz.
Kz550 valve train warning.
Other links.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Street Fighter LTD
- Offline
- Moderator
- TURBO, Its Better to be Blown than Injected
- Posts: 4936
- Thank you received: 2064
Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- bountyhunter
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 7246
- Thank you received: 337
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- PLUMMEN
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8139
- Thank you received: 104
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15344
- Thank you received: 2829
Street Fighter LTD wrote: If that was 20-50 GTX made for cars they changed the formula almost back when dirt was invented and it is not made to use in a Kaw any longer as the friction modifiers make a wet clutch slip. Others here like 650 Ed can show you lots of data, but The GTX I used 20 plus years ago is no more. Best for me is Shell Rotella diesel oil you can get at Walmart
All true. The contents of car oil changed several years ago to include friction modifiers that don't damage car catalytic convertors. If the oil container does not show "JASO-MA" do not use it in your Kawasaki because it will affect the clutch - and not in a good way.
You may need to remove and scour the clutch friction disks or replace them. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- GPzEric
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 169
- Thank you received: 31
BTW - I went with the Barnett Kevlar discs, Barnett steels & springs too. I just got back from a ride - work great.
My wife asked me if I still loved her - I said "Honey, I love you more than new carburetor boots ! "
1982 KZ1100B2 (GPz)
1982 KZ750R1 (GPz)
(2) 1981 KZ550D1 (GPz) 1 mint, 1 under construction
1983 GS1100E
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Tyrell Corp
- Offline
- User
- "You were made as well as we could make you"
- Posts: 1650
- Thank you received: 261
PLUMMEN wrote: Try adjusting the clutch before changing plates,The fact you say you didn't need to change the adjustment after installing new plates is a red flag for me anyway.
Points towards something other than friction plate wear.
Not wanting to start one of these endless oil threads, but these modern semi synths can be a problem with wet clutches. Back in the day I used anything within spec but now I am noticing the difference.
I had a similar problem on my 750, I checked friction plate thickness, wet and dry cleaned up the plain plates, solvent cleaned and then shimmed each bolt with a washer and problem solved. It might be the super slippy modern oil components only stick to metal surfaces so your 'old'clutch may be reusable?
Nice collection Eric.
1980 Gpz550 D1, 1981 GPz550 D1. 1982 GPz750R1. 1983 z1000R R2. all four aces
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 80B4
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 447
- Thank you received: 105
1980B4 1000
1978 Z1R
1978 B3 750
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- PLUMMEN
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8139
- Thank you received: 104
Golden spectro has been around since late 70s-early 80s,never had a clutch issue with it.Tyrell Corp wrote:
PLUMMEN wrote: Try adjusting the clutch before changing plates,The fact you say you didn't need to change the adjustment after installing new plates is a red flag for me anyway.
Points towards something other than friction plate wear.
Not wanting to start one of these endless oil threads, but these modern semi synths can be a problem with wet clutches. Back in the day I used anything within spec but now I am noticing the difference.
I had a similar problem on my 750, I checked friction plate thickness, wet and dry cleaned up the plain plates, solvent cleaned and then shimmed each bolt with a washer and problem solved. It might be the super slippy modern oil components only stick to metal surfaces so your 'old'clutch may be reusable?
Nice collection Eric.
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.