Hey Guys,

I have read as many of the clutch posts as I can, and have not found any that seem to be the same issue as I am having.

Ok, so right off the bat I am thinking maybe I have some air in the slave cylinder, but am not sure.
So what happens is when I gear down into first and then pull my clutch in and roll to a stop, there is a clunk right between when I pull in the clutch and when I stop. This also happens most of the time when I am just pulling into the garage and let the clutch out and pull it back in...it's like there is a slight delay, then clunk just before she starts to pull.

This doesn't usually happen when I am doing a normal take off. This particular issue has been going on for a long time, and through different oils, so I don' think it has anything to do with what oil I am using. (Currently using Amsoil, and Mobil 1 4T before that).

The other issue that has started recently, but not all the time, is that when gearing down the gear lever goes all spongy and will not down gear until I lift my foot off the lever and press down again. Foot issue? Or could both the problems be related to air in the clutch slave cylinder?

Yes, I am a wrenching noob still so this one is not obvious to me. Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

How many miles?

Barely over 14000.

Well..it sounds like you MAY have a shift mechanism internal problem...IDK...I haven't worked on my shifter....I did replace a shift star on my 07....

I'd read the manual pertaining to shifting issues...there's a couple of things it COULD be....I'm just not sure what those would be?Certainly someone here has had this happen?I changed mine for an EVO shift star...it didn't need it really.Maybe your spring in there is weak...or a shift dog is worn/bent?IDK.I doubt it's the trans.

Maybe you said...but...how are you toeing the shift lever?Slowly?or quickly and positively.You're not shifting way out of shift range are you?Maybe 'forcing' it to shift when it isn't ready rpm wise?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/16/2012 @ 9:01 PM *

When downshifting, I always try to ensure that it is quick and positive as you said. It has only done this to me a couple of times though. I'll do some more riding this weekend and see if it happens again, and under what circumstances so I can see if I am doing anything differently.

I'll be checking the clutch slave cylinder this weekend for air bubbles, so will see if that makes any difference to the clunk problem. I agree with you, in that I doubt it is the trans causing the couple of shift issues I have had.

I don't have the problem going into first, but I have that same clunky issue. It's subtle, and I only notice it sometimes when I'm moving the bike slowly. It seems to be those times where I'm just barely nudging the gas and letting the clutch out simultaneously. When I do notice it, it's almost like there's something in the transmission that softly shifts back as I go forward and shifts forward as I brake.

Someone told me once that it has to do with how the transmission is designed and is normal. I'm not 100% convinced that's the case, but it's been that way for as long as I've had the bike and doesn't seem to be causing any further problems.

"I'll be checking the clutch slave cylinder this weekend for air bubbles"....I think you'd feel that in the bar clutch lever myself...but...,

Hey Caroob, thanks for the reply. I don't feel so bad about it now, knowing that someone else's bike does this too. Not that, that is necessarily a good thing, just that it may be more or less a normal thing with the ZX-14.

"When I do notice it, it's almost like there's something in the transmission that softly shifts back as I go forward and shifts forward as I brake." -- yes exactly that.

Hey Grn14, thanks for your input. I have noticed some change in clutch/gearing these last few months, but not sure I can explain it exactly. It's almost like when you break in an engine...at first everything feels "tight and restrained", then when she's run in enough, she loosens up. Kinda like that I guess. I'm still going to take a look at that slave cylinder...going to be doing some front brake caliper cleaning anyway so might as well while the tools are out.

Thanks for the input guys.

I think if Kawasaki took a smidgen of engineering from Suzuki...they'd have the ultimate package.I really do.Mine shifts very nicely...better than my 07 by a lot...even with the Evo Shift star in my 07....but still....it is 'kinda' notchy...not really at speed...but shifting around town...it can get clickish.My buddies' two Busa's always shifted virtually without even really feeling the trans click into the next gear.VERY nice and narrow shift travel.IDK why Kawi continues the way they have????Nothing wrong with it....but....I think they could do better?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/17/2012 @ 3:29 PM *

Could be your cultch basket!