Hey guys, I just noticed that after the initial hard clunk from neutral to first gear its almost feels like 2 more clunks but way smaller, almost like it wants to lug forward but it doesn't...... There is fresh oil in it and the bike has only 5200kms on it.... I don't recall the bike doing these little lugs before, but the last few times I have ridden have been to work with an ipod in my ears.... this does get a little better after the bike has been in motion.... not sure if there are some clutch problems or not, but again it feels like it wants lug forward with these lugs but the bike doesn't move.... also there have been a few times where the bike didn't want to go into 1st gear at a stand still and wud click into no gear and the gear indicator would show a line and then I wud lift up on the shifter and it wud go into neutral, then I could knock it into 1st gear. I never thought ne thing of this, I just figured it was the neutral finder.... any ways if neone has any ideas that wud be great!!!

I just noticed that after the initial hard clunk from neutral to first gear its almost feels like 2 more clunks but way smaller, almost like it wants to lug forward but it doesn't......

Not sure about that one. My 14 jerks forward pretty hard when I pop into 1 from N and every other 14 I've seen (and other Kawis I've ridden) do the same thing. It doesn't really roll the wheel but it jumps a cm or so, I'm sure. Sounds like you are describing some kind of after shock. I haven't noticed that on my bike. I would think the clutch would go slowly so you might as well wait to see if it starts creeping on you before you change plates or something like that. JMHO, you should prob get more opinions on that.

also there have been a few times where the bike didn't want to go into 1st gear at a stand still

Totally normal. My bike does that all the time if I don't remember to shift down through the gears when coming to a stoplight. I've heard lots of posts about that situation. The best thing I've found to do is simply roll the bike forward or back an inch and it will go in much easier than jamming around on the shift lever.

The trick is to find N from 1st gear. You could stick your tongue under the lever or wake up in the morning - well positioned - an push the lever up that way. Bike has to be running though. Once you have a hard time pulling that up with the toe stab, then yes, you have a worn clutch plate(s) on the warp that tagged another plate so as to cause 'the drag' finding N.

BTW, it bangs hard on the stab to 1st and lurches forward either on the plunge down or a rev with the lever pulled in, she wants to move forward.

Normal!But you guys-if you'll just lower your idle to 950,she'll go in MUCH easier!!!!!

I know the initial crunch is normal but its had to explain the noise after the initial normal clunk into 1st... almost like an aftershock or somethin... i dunno... runs fine other than that and shifts fine too....

I would suggest refreshing the clutch fluid and making sure there is no air in it as well.

Oh what the he&*-keep er at 1100,enjoy yer clunk!!!LOL!

^^lol The easiest thing to do would be to adjust the idle down and see if that improves the situation. If you don't like it, you just turn back up to spec. The idle adjustment might just be a temporary fix to a permanent problem though.

I don't recall hearing of this behavior you described before but I have read of the bike creeping forward in first gear with the clutch pulled. Maybe you're noticing this starting a little sooner than most do. You got your bike not too long after i did. My clutch fluid has 10,000 miles on it and is ~16 months old. It's been looking a bit yellow for some time and I plan to change it soon. I would try that like faz suggested and see what happens. If you still have the problem, you could just wait to see if it gets worse. Then you might be better able to pin the trouble on the clutch.

Is she slipping at all?Your lever only goes in about an inch or two,maybe three when it disengages.Pulling it all the way won't make it shift any different.It's a big clutch in there.Lots of centrifugal force going around.Long as she's not slipping,and shifting okay I wouldn't worry about it.You could try refreshing your fluid-that may help(certainly wouldn't hurt).I think(maybe wrong)if she had ANY air in there,you'd notice slipping right off.And a weak lever feel.I'll observe mine next ride-see if it does any "other"clunks.But I don't think she has.Never had my bike creep forward with the clutch in-that doesn't sound right.As far as finding neutral-the not shifting deal is nothing to worry about-just move the bike slightly,she'll go in.I normally shift down to first just as I'm stopping-just at a small roll.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/13/2009 @ 12:24 PM *

Oh what the he&*-keep er at 1100,enjoy yer clunk!!!LOL!

^^^

13095-Clutch Outer, turns with the engine. 13087-Clutch Center, needs to stop or cluckiss your dog gears goodbye. 13116-Push Rod, is the full length needed to move so no air is present in the line, for the longest throw at 13167-Pressure Plate, is a preset distance. < This needs to move away from the frictions-13088 and steels-13089.

Steel-13089, keys onto 13087-C/C. Friction-1388, sets inside 13095-C/O fork arms. You hold the push rod out far enough so the drag stops turning, C/C, you have zero noise when N steps down to 1st gear.

Time to let the spinning stop is how you keep the barking dogs from... Who? Who let the dogs OUT? Who'zzzzzzzzzz Year Daddy!

It shifts fine and there is no clutch slipping.... fluid looks good too, I may refresh it before the end of the season... and then wait to see if the problem get worse, I'd hate to take it in now and then they have it for a couple weeks if something is wrong thats like half the riding season here!!!! Thanks guys!!!

* Last updated by: Fuzz4141 on 8/13/2009 @ 2:10 PM *

Good Job HUB!! Sounds okay Fuzz-BTW-How ya doin up there?!!Course,if they DO find something wrong,better to find it in the shop rather than YOU find it while stranded somewhere "out there" in the wild blue!!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/13/2009 @ 2:18 PM *

Just a thought but have you cleaned, lube'd, and adjusted your chain? I know if they are dirty or out of adjustment they will cause symptoms like you are describing.

My 2 cents worth = has the bike been used hard ? if so you may have developed some play in the rear wheel cush drive, if so it should not hurt anything - if not "abuse" ie. drag racing, banging gears, etc. it probably is ok - have someone watch the chain when you drop it in gear, see if it is snapping back and forth excessively, or try lowering the idle a little and see what happens. It is probably nothing other than the Kaw "clunk".

Philness Funny that you say that, cause I just really noticed it when I took the bike in to the shop to get a new rear tire mounted and he did tightnen the chain for me, but he sed that it made that when he pulled it in the shop..... Blue things are good up here heading back down to montana again this weekend cause weathers been shat here lately.... but hey at least my grass is green!! The bike is not abused or raced, just the regular use of course it does go up to the redline now and then.... Gonna have someone look at the chain like you suggested Paladin, and try giving her some fresh oil about 1500kms on this oil.... it still should be good tho looks clean still....