TOPIC:

Hello everyone and Happy Thanksgiving! Been tearing into my 77 KX650 project. Went to go roll it around the garage to winterize the Jet ski. It's been sitting since I bought it a few months ago. Bike runs as I test drove it. My problem is going backwards/reverse with the bike. Yes, I'm in neutral, can go push it forward all I want. When I push back, it'll go about 3-4 feet and stop. Not sure what is locking up. If I move it forward a bit, it'll sometimes let me push it again in reverse for a few feet more, but the lockup eventually comes back. Any thoughts? Drum brake issue, clutch plates??? Thanks!

Slacken brake adjustments and see what happens.

If its in neutral then it wont be the clutch. Shouldn't be the drum brakes, they are not like the same vintage car brakes with adjusters. Might be a rusted seized link in the chain, but I would think that would effect both forward and back. Check the chain when it stops backwards, is it the counter sprocket (front) that has stopped the progress. You'd be able to tell that by watching the rear wheel, if it rotates forward and reverse some taking up the slack in the chain then it could be debris under the sprocket cover, or worse a broken tooth in the trans. Watch it the opposite way, when it stops progressing and rocking it forward and reverse make no change in the drive chain then it might be in the rear brake. some small debris that happens to only wedge in going backwards. You really need to determine if its the engine on the rear wheel that's halting progress.

Guys, I'm a dumbass. After your suggestions, I went back out to check out the chain as I'm sure it's a 40+ year old chain on it. And what do I eventually find. One of the eight screws that I removed from the runners connecting the carbs to the intake. It was in there pretty good. Grabbed a punch and knocked it out. Sorry for wasting everyone's time. Back to turkey and beer!

How many times have I said that? I'm a dumbass. Maybe a thread of the Dumbest things I've ever done would be entertaining during the off-riding season.

I've got a few!

Mike

krazee1 wrote: How many times have I said that? I'm a dumbass. Maybe a thread of the Dumbest things I've ever done would be entertaining during the off-riding season.

I've got a few!

Mike

Go for it Mike
Sounds like it will be a hoot
Dave

IMO anyone who picks up a wrench has had there fair share of them. Is it not how we learn?

That is how we learn, Experience is a very good, but sometimes a very expensive teacher!

(just don't do the same stupid sh#t twice, then you are a D.A.)

Mike

Yup, messing up is all part of the learning experience. It's only a "mistake" if you do the same thing wrong TWICE.

You didn't make a mistake you just found a way it didn't work.

Thanks everyone! I will say this, out of all the forums/boards I'm on (Acura, Nissan, Jet Ski, Kawasaki Voyager, firearms, oil, political, stock picks, etc), THIS board has some of the most helpful and polite people around. I like how the KZ has a way of pulling everyone together and realizing that just enjoying life and accomplishing something is what's important. I mean, I'm sure this board has its share or "tools", but they don't seem to raise their heads very much. Have a great weekend everyone!!