Transmission

I just picked up my Z1000 2005 model today with 11,000km on the clock. On the way home I noticed that every now and then it would 'clunk' changing from 1st to 2nd gear. Is this common with the tranny in these things or should I worry ?? It's not my riding style as I was very carefull to change with the same pressure each time,but it would just clunk into 2nd occasionaly. Any constructive comments welcome.

Is that the kwaka positive neutral clunk?

Dunno,is it ??

Peter, with the zeds you require very positive gear changes to avoid false neutrals & keep it all smooth, Is the clunk like the clunk into first from Neutral?

Kawasaki gearboxes tend to clunk a bit, but more so going from neutral to first than first to second in my experience. I'd check the basics first - is the oil fresh? oil levels OK? chain tensioned correctly? no tight-spots in the chain? chain well lubed?

I see double

Hi Peter,

I know you're keen to get an answer, but cross-posting this to two separate areas of the forum will just lead to confusion and upset people who end up reading the same thing twice. I've merged both of your posts together under this one/

Cheers,

Dave

No problems about the double post Dave, won't do that again. I rode about 200km today, getting into it a fair bit and 98% of the time the changes were smooth as silk. A couple of times cruising through 60 zones it clunked from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. I pulled up to park it once and I heard a clunk without even changing gears ?? But after that the box performed flawlessly for the next 80 km, it's got me puzzled. Maybe it just needs fresh oil ?? The previous owner was a lady and the bike has only done a bit under 11,000km in 3 years with a 1000km and 6000km service in that time, so maybe the oil is not doing it's job properly ?? I assume that it might have sat for lengthy periods without getting ridden so I will drop the oil and see if it makes a difference. I had a absolute blast on the bike today so I hope it's not gunna let me down.

Well I did the oil and filter change and there's no difference. I don't really think there's anything to worry about with the Tranny but I did notice gold coloured tiny bits of metal in the old oil when I looked in the oil tray in the sun ?? They were big enough that you could feel them between your fingers. Anything to be concerned about ??

Well I did the oil and filter change and there's no difference. I don't really think there's anything to worry about with the Tranny but I did notice gold coloured tiny bits of metal in the old oil when I looked in the oil tray in the sun ?? They were big enough that you could feel them between your fingers. Anything to be concerned about ??

Not really anything to be concerned about IMO. How's the chain adjustment and condition?

Chain adjustment and condition is fine, I know I'm an idiot but what does IMO mean ?? I rang Kawasaki earlier and the mechanic said you can get metal filings in the oil but they shouldn't be big enough to feel between your fingers, so that left me a bit concerned. He did suggest that the metal was probably from the clutch ??

I know I'm an idiot but what does IMO mean ??

"In My Opinion"

....The previous owner was a lady and the bike has only done a bit under 11,000km in 3 years with a 1000km and 6000km service in that time, so maybe the oil is not doing it's job properly ??.......

The box is really not yet fully run-in. When I bought my ZX12R in 2005, the workshop Manager told me that the bike would really not start to fully 'loosen up' until it had hit 10,000km....

The clunk is not anything to worry about at all at this early stage in the bikes life. If it was still happening at 25 or 30k, then I would be looking for issues. Keep the oil fresh, and more importantly keep the chain lubed and at the correct tension - if this is overlooked, you can *guarantee* clunky gearchanges.

Kawasaki's have always had a reputation for a bit of a chunly gearbox (especially the 'first' change into first from neutral in the mornings ) - its no big deal.

Welcome to the forum !

Which oil did you use champ. My 9rF1 didn't like the fully synthetic gear. Much smoother changes with semi synth.

Not to be Sexist but the Lady owner MAY be the cause by not wieghting the Gearstick enough.
Also consider a Detent kit. (Race shift kit). Thinker springs.
hth Nanna

Thanks for the replys,I used Motul 5100 semi syn Pontikat, the last oil change was done by Team Moto and they used Motul 3100 which is not ideal IMO for a high revving engine. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about finding gold coloured metal bits in the oil ?? Dave doesn't seem to think so and the bike is running perfectly appart from the occasional clunk but I've seen very fine filings in oil before but not pieces you can pick up and feel. Has anybody else seen this in their oil ??