KZ900 Clutch issues

  • Scirocco
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11 May 2017 19:25 - 11 May 2017 19:26 #761785 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic KZ900 Clutch issues
Your clutch plates seem to be stuck in the clutch basket by mechanical wear. Remove the clutch cover
and do a look inside for a correct disengage of the outer clutch plate.
Do it on the side stand to prevent oil is coming out of the engine case.
Last edit: 11 May 2017 19:26 by Scirocco.
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  • SWest
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11 May 2017 19:57 #761789 by SWest

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  • slmjim+Z1BEBE
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11 May 2017 21:18 #761791 by slmjim+Z1BEBE
Replied by slmjim+Z1BEBE on topic KZ900 Clutch issues

Bama704 wrote: I have yet to try the previous advice, but the more I think about it the more I don't know how it would work. If I shift into first, while on center stand (or paddock stand) with the clutch lever pulled in it will still lurch and engage hard because the clutch does nothing for me right now. So letting off of the clutch would do anything is what I mean. I can still try it though....

Hi Bama704,
Is lever effort normal? Yes? No? This is a critical question.
If the rear wheel is off the ground with the motor running and the tranny in neutral, the rear wheel is likely to begin to turn. This is normal; it's caused by oil drag internally in the tranny. There's not a whole lot of mass in the rear wheel and, with it spinning in neutral, driveline shock will be minimal when first is engaged. Just make sure it's idled down as much as possible. Once it's in first, and with the clutch lever held in, begin applying some rear brake. This brings much more power to bear on breaking the plates loose than rocking the bike fore and aft while in gear, and does so smoothly and relatively gently. This is no different than idling at a stop sign, clutch in and in gear. We've been able to free stuck clutch packs that sat for over a decade using this method, when no amount of rocking in gear had any effect. All this is assuming the release mechanism is working normally. If the plates won't free under power, you'll have to remove the clutch cover and observe the pressure plate for outward movement when the lever is pulled, releasing pressure on the clutch pack.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

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12 May 2017 06:47 #761818 by Bama704
Replied by Bama704 on topic KZ900 Clutch issues
Thanks for all the great advice and video. To answer the question, my clutch lever effort is normal.

I will first try rocking it back and forth and if that doesn't work, I will try the two other methods before removing the clutch cover and inspecting the plates and basket.

1977 KZ900
Carbs are late model 1975 28mm

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15 May 2017 05:58 #761973 by Bama704
Replied by Bama704 on topic KZ900 Clutch issues
I was able to get it to work this morning. The clutch plates were stuck together. Rocking the bike back and forth had no impact on freeing the clutch plates so, I put it on my paddock stand and let it warm up then engaged first great at 3500rpms (the rear wheel was spinning pretty good at this point). I could hear the clutch plates come free and am now able to use the clutch as normal.

1977 KZ900
Carbs are late model 1975 28mm

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15 May 2017 07:02 #761975 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic KZ900 Clutch issues
I would still take the plates out, oil them and put them back in. In my clip you can see where a few plates are blued. That is because only a few were separating fully. This time around all the plates were loose.
Steve

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15 May 2017 07:47 #761976 by Bama704
Replied by Bama704 on topic KZ900 Clutch issues
Will do, thanks Steve.

1977 KZ900
Carbs are late model 1975 28mm

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