Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hey guys i think it's about time the clutch on my bike was changed. I am just wondering is it a reasonably simple job if you use common sense
and what parts will i need to buy ie. how many plates?

G'day Rooster, how many km's on the zzr? It really shouldn't be wearing out clutch packs very often? Before you do too much I'd make sure it's got fresh oil and enough of it.

If you do need to replace the clutch it's a relatively straight-forward job if you've got reasonable tools and a bit of mechanical know-how. I'd recommend pulling the clutch cover off and checking what you actually need before buying parts - it might not need plates if only the friction pads are worn out or vice versa, and it might just need new springs (less likely). If you lean the bike well over (maybe lean it against something) you might be able to get the clutch cover off without dumping the oil, which can be handy.

If you do end up doing it why don't you photograph the process and post it back up here for the next newbie who needs to do the same thing?

Good luck and yell out if you get stuck.

Thanx dave it's done 62,000kms and it had an oil change about 2 months ago.
I've got tools and and some know-how (not with bikes or clutches conveniently enough haha) so i'll pull it apart and have a look, i might post pics of everything as i don't really what to look for if it's worn.

It only slips at high revs when i change gears, it takes a few seconds to get in sync with the bike speed. And it also clunks into first gear from neutral enough to stall the bike when it's cold. Does that sound like it is the clutch. i'm just guessing.

It does sound like the clutch is playing up, but it might not be stuffed. How many km's has it done in the last 2 months since the oil change (mine used to get oil changes every 6 weeks because of the number of km's I did on it), and importantly what sort of oil are you using?

Has the problem only started since the last oil change? Is this the first time you've used this particular brand / specification of oil? If so, what was in it previously (if you know)?

62,0000 km's is reasonably high, but those 250 parallel twins are pretty bullet proof and I'd be surprised to learn that the clutch had been stuffed without something else also contributing to the mix.

It's only done probably 350kms since the oil change. I'm getting my license on it and havent been able to get out much unfortunately. The oil i used is the correct SAE and is semi synthetic but i will double check it all tonight to make sure it's all right.

check your cable adjustment as well just incase its that.....