Low compression, oil out the breather. kz900/1000

[quote="MadShad" post=733253..................................The clutch let go right at 6k rpm, started slipping.
This is my 4th Kawasaki, and I've put clutch springs in ALL of them. [/quote]

That does not seem normal to me. Exactly what oil are you using in the engine? Ed

It's somebody else's work and has sat for a while. I'd inspect the plates, clean and oil them.
Steve

Rotella conventional 15 40 in most, 10w30 in one.

I have friction disks on the shelf if I need them, I've just used ebc springs in all of them for $10 a set, seems to work great.

All of my bikes were purchased either non running or running poorly, most have set for years. This one had been sitting for at least 5 years.

All had what looked like oem springs.

I've never worn out a set of springs.
Steve

All I can say is that the new clutch springs are in and the problem is solved. Put 180 miles on it yesterday driving to a jap bike junkyard. Picked up an oil cooler to play with and scored a 140mph speedo to replace my 80mph one.
Break in miles are done, oil and filter is changed, ignition timing is set, carbs are rejetted, needles are adjusted.

The bike runs great, no leaks and the bike pulls hard!
Very happy with the result!

Good job.
Steve

Great to hear the motor is alive!

With all of the clutch slippage you've experienced, are you sure you are not overfilling the oil? That always makes my bikes slip. But as long as there is a good size air bubble at the top of the sight glass, when on the wheels (not center stand), vertical, I usually have no problems.

Yep since this is my 4th Kaw with slipping clutched I've exhausted all other options, overfilled oil, wrong oil, adjustment (both method s depending on actuator type), friction disk thickness, steel plate orientation, polishing fingers on clutch basket and steel plates, dragging clutch cable, clean and relube actuator,
The whole enchilada....

Springs fixed it 4 out of 4 times.

Good to hear ..... I'm a strong believer on replacing clutch springs..... I could feel the difference in strength by pressing on the new ones then the old when I replaced mine and like you no more slip.

I can't comment on the smaller fours but My clutch always was to stiff no matter what I did. Never had a slip issue. Finally copied Dave's mod Broke cables once a year or so. I think I solved that problem.
Steve
. kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/601798-clutch-actuator-mod

MadShad wrote: Yep since this is my 4th Kaw with slipping clutched I've exhausted all other options, overfilled oil, wrong oil, adjustment (both method s depending on actuator type), friction disk thickness, steel plate orientation, polishing fingers on clutch basket and steel plates, dragging clutch cable, clean and relube actuator,
The whole enchilada....

Springs fixed it 4 out of 4 times.

Ok, well as long as it works! Sorry, you've probably detailed all of that before... I post on a lot of similar threads :S

Can't wait to see the finished pics!

swest wrote: I can't comment on the smaller fours but My clutch always was to stiff no matter what I did. Never had a slip issue. Finally copied Dave's mod Broke cables once a year or so. I think I solved that problem.
Steve
. kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/601798-clutch-actuator-mod

The 550 clutches are very light from the factory. If it's stock and stiff, it's usually the cable getting some drag. The factory cable is much better than the aftermarket ones I tried.

I have an actuator taken apart and ready to weld/drill after seeing your post. Just to experiment with.... like I said, the 550 clutches are pretty light already.