clutch started slipping today

'73 H1 Triple · 07-14-2009, 08:15 PM

'93 Kawasaki ZR1100 with 24.5K. Oil & filter just changed Friday. Oil and filter has been changed every 3K for the life of the bike ( The first two owners are friends of mine )

The past week, sometimes my takeoffs weren't smooth as the clutch seemed grabby. I siphoned the fluid out of the clutch master cylinder and replaced it with new DOT 4 fluid.

I changed the oil & filter on Friday with Honda brand oil in 20W-50. This was the third change using this oil.

Yesterday, everything was fine. ( 18 miles each way ) Today, a few miles from the house as I was accelerating up a hill, the rpms "jumped" in 4th gear from 4K to 5K so I reduced throttle and rode easier to work.

After work I stopped in town to fill up and when I went to take off from the light, I let out the clutch lever and NOTHING HAPPENED . I was pushing while sitting when it stared moving. I had four miles to get home and it was "interesting" to say the least. Irregular takeoffs and it slipped whenever it wanted.

I did make it home and now it's out to the garage to see what's going on.

Any ideas other than the clutch is fubar?

Jeff

Particle Man · 07-14-2009, 08:22 PM

think maybe the shift dogs are worn a bit?

Amber Lamps · 07-14-2009, 08:25 PM

Have you been using Honda oil WITH Moly? That's a no no with some wet clutch bikes!

JoshuaTree · 07-14-2009, 08:34 PM

Clutch cable in proper adjustment / actuation range? Checked the old oil for particulate / metal flakes (i.e. destroying clutch plates / steel)?

To save you some time...

Barnett Performance

Amber Lamps · 07-14-2009, 08:55 PM

Almost forgot. you changed the fluid, are you sure you didn't get any bubbles/air? No offense but are you sure that Dot4 is the correct fluid? I still wonder if you "accidentally" got the Honda oil with Moly...you wouldn't be the first guy to do it!

'73 H1 Triple · 07-14-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

think maybe the shift dogs are worn a bit?

It seemed to shift fine. This is more of a sudden problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Have you been using Honda oil WITH Moly? That's a no no with some wet clutch bikes!

Honda Pro GN-4 Changed at 19K with 20w-50, at 22k with 10w-40 and now at 24.5K with 20w-50.

I still have all the old containers and it says nothing about moly on the label.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTree

Clutch cable in proper adjustment / actuation range? Checked the old oil for particulate / metal flakes (i.e. destroying clutch plates / steel)?

To save you some time...

Barnett Performance

Thanks for the Barnett link. That will probably be what I purchase if it is the clutch itself.

No noticable "extras" in the oil and nothing in the bottom of the drain pan.

No clutch cable as it's hydraulic. I need to check range of motion. It did feel different before I pulled the cover off the left side. Maybe I'll put it back on and recheck and maybe bleed some fluid thru before I disassemble the clutch.

Thanks

'73 H1 Triple · 07-14-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Almost forgot. you changed the fluid, are you sure you didn't get any bubbles/air? No offense but are you sure that Dot4 is the correct fluid? I still wonder if you "accidentally" got the Honda oil with Moly...you wouldn't be the first guy to do it!

I have a big siphon that I used to pull the fluid out of the reservoir. I did not touch the clutch lever until I refilled it.

I'm positive it's DOT 4 as it is cast into the cover for both the brakes and the clutch. ( but thanks for asking )

Amber Lamps · 07-14-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '73 H1 Triple

I have a big siphon that I used to pull the fluid out of the reservoir. I did not touch the clutch lever until I refilled it.

I'm positive it's DOT 4 as it is cast into the cover for both the brakes and the clutch. ( but thanks for asking )

Hey just a thought... it's the suddenness of it that puzzles me, besides I always had the clutch give me grief in the higher gears first before it went out completely.

It just seems that it has to be something to do with the fluid or the oil, you know? If you used synthetic or oil with friction modifiers in the last change, it would take a while to affect the clutch, so that made sense to me.

Oh well, good luck bro! You can try bleeding the clutch system just in case.... it definitely takes less time than taking it apart.

pauldun170 · 07-14-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '73 H1 Triple

It seemed to shift fine. This is more of a sudden problem.

Honda Pro GN-4 Changed at 19K with 20w-50, at 22k with 10w-40 and now at 24.5K with 20w-50.

I still have all the old containers and it says nothing about moly on the label.

Thanks for the Barnett link. That will probably be what I purchase if it is the clutch itself.

No noticable "extras" in the oil and nothing in the bottom of the drain pan.

No clutch cable as it's hydraulic. I need to check range of motion. It did feel different before I pulled the cover off the left side. Maybe I'll put it back on and recheck and maybe bleed some fluid thru before I disassemble the clutch.

Thanks

When was the last time you replaced the springs?

Amber Lamps · 07-14-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldun170

When was the last time you replaced the springs?

Hey that's a thought, maybe you had a spring break? hell, or the clutch basket, a plate, etc... hmmm....

07-14-2009, 08:15 PM	#1
'73 H1 Triple restorer of the original Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Zionsville,PA Moto: '93 ZR1100 &'73 Kawasaki H1 500 Posts: 1,331	clutch started slipping today ---FIXED '93 Kawasaki ZR1100 with 24.5K. Oil & filter just changed Friday. Oil and filter has been changed every 3K for the life of the bike ( The first two owners are friends of mine ) The past week, sometimes my takeoffs weren't smooth as the clutch seemed grabby. I siphoned the fluid out of the clutch master cylinder and replaced it with new DOT 4 fluid. I changed the oil & filter on Friday with Honda brand oil in 20W-50. This was the third change using this oil. Yesterday, everything was fine. ( 18 miles each way ) Today, a few miles from the house as I was accelerating up a hill, the rpms "jumped" in 4th gear from 4K to 5K so I reduced throttle and rode easier to work. After work I stopped in town to fill up and when I went to take off from the light, I let out the clutch lever and NOTHING HAPPENED . I was pushing while sitting when it stared moving. I had four miles to get home and it was "interesting" to say the least. Irregular takeoffs and it slipped whenever it wanted. I did make it home and now it's out to the garage to see what's going on. Any ideas other than the clutch is fubar? Jeff Last edited by '73 H1 Triple; 07-23-2009 at 09:27 PM..

07-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#2
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	think maybe the shift dogs are worn a bit? __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

07-14-2009, 08:34 PM	#4
JoshuaTree DILLIGAF? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, Texas, USA, Earth, Sol, Western Spiral Arm, Milky Way Moto: 1993 K75SA Posts: 483	Clutch cable in proper adjustment / actuation range? Checked the old oil for particulate / metal flakes (i.e. destroying clutch plates / steel)? To save you some time... Barnett Performance __________________ "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" "Learn to do the counter-intuitive things that may one day save your ass..." "... Love Much, Laugh Often..." - Amanda Kay Corso (January 18, 1980 - April 15, 2008)

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07-14-2009, 08:25 PM	#3
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Have you been using Honda oil WITH Moly? That's a no no with some wet clutch bikes!

07-14-2009, 08:55 PM	#5
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Almost forgot. you changed the fluid, are you sure you didn't get any bubbles/air? No offense but are you sure that Dot4 is the correct fluid? I still wonder if you "accidentally" got the Honda oil with Moly...you wouldn't be the first guy to do it!