Clutch slip

[Jon]

Hi guys.

Another query. Since Ive got my engine sorted out and running sweet now Im noticing clutch slip at high revs prodominantly in higher gears. Slips for a couple thousand revs when really accelerating then re-engages. Motors pulling like a train now Ive got on top of it all. Faster than my zx6r. Lifts the front wheel all to easily now.

Putting it down to increase in torque now the insides of the engine arent hanging out (but thats another story ).

I reckon stronger springs will cure it as reckon its got standard ones in there. Clutch lever is damn stiff already, but arent they all compared to modern sportsbikes. Worm unit has been stripped/greased and all properly adjusted. Even a new cable. Clutch is fully engaged by time clutch lever is only 1/2 way out, but still slips. Any source for heavy duty springs at a decent price? Probably end up paying as much in postage as I do for the springs living up ere.

[debben1]

Hello Jon, I would think its unlikely to be springs, My own 1325cc Z still uses stock springs, The fibres are a consumable and need replacing after a while, even if they measure up with in the limits, If the fibres are more than a couple of years old then replace these, the springs will not help once the clutch has been slipping as the heat form a slipping clutch tends to make the fibre plates harder and prone to more slipping, we can send parts to your area no problem, fibre plates are ?6.98 each, You need 8, with the vat and carriage ?72.90. Also make sure you are not causing clutch slip with the type of oil you are using, Silkolene can cause these symptons.
Regards, Steve

[Jon]

Ok thanks for the info. Plates are probably old as hills. Were in before my time with her, and Ive had her 8-odd years probably. They look fine, but obviously if theyve hardened theyve hardened.

Automatically presumed springs couldnt cope causing slippage, but hey ho. I`ll let you know about the plates. Might have to wait a few weeks as moneys tight. Cheers.

[Jon]

Hi,

Scored some EBC clutch plates cheaply that have only done couple hundred miles from a freinds project bike. Cheers bud.

Went to fit them just few minutes ago. Whipped out old plates and theres 9 friction plates and 8 steel plates! Know a lot of gixers, etc use another plate sometimes to prevent slip, but is this ok in a Z? i.e. do I put in the 8 new plates and the best 1 of the old ones and put back together as it was, or stick back to original 8 plates.

Oh and went to remove cutch release bearing (wee ball bearing behind clutch rod mushroom thingy), and it wasnt there! Didnt fall out as on side stand and wasnt stuck to back of mushroom rod. Just MIA! Any reason for this or is it just someone else incompetence?? Again should I find a suitable ball bearing or put back together as is. Cant see any reason for anyone to remove it.

[Jon]

After a bit of measuring the old clutch plates were not even a proper fit in the basket cos of the extra plate. Last plate wasnt doing a hell of a lot tbh. Barely contacting the clutch basket teeth.

Swapped back to standard setup of 8 plates, stuck in new EBC plates, measured springs to make sure hadnt sagged or anything. All ok there. Found a bearing the right size (always knew random boxes of shite would come in handy one day ). Went to bolt clutch front pressure plate back on and noticed one of the bolts was 1/3 the length of the others! Yup you guessed it, the other 2/3 were snapped off in the basket. Must be the luck if the Irish tho cos snapped with an irregular edge to it. 1/2 hour of strong arm and precision screwdriver and managed to edge it out of threaded hole tiny bit of a turn at a time. New bolt fitted n finished.

Not had a chance to road test it yet as weathers a bit shit n with roads up here your wheelspinning by 1/2 throttle in the wet. Shitty tarmac.

Should be fine tho. Decent plates, etc so should be end of slippage. Anyone know the correct adjustment for the locknut adjuster on the left hand side of the engine? Cant remember or find it in manual. Set it up by feel to test it n feels ok, but would like to set it properly.

[Pigford]

Jon, once you've wound all the cable adjusters so the outer cable is short as poss, nip the arm adjuster up (under the teardrop cover, l/h side) so it just engages, then wind back 1/2 a turn. Do lock nut up and do fine adjustment to suit ur preference, using cable adjusters

[Rich]

Jon, the nine plate kits had thinner friction plates to acheive the correct stack height.

Adjust clutch when the engine is hot.

[Jon]

Cheers guys I`ll set it up tomorrow n hopefully get a test run.

[Jon]

Got a quick 15 mile blast in between the weather. Got off shitty single track onto bridge from Scalpay to main island. About 1/2 mile of nice straight decent tarmac. Snicked into 2nd whapped open throttle. Accelerated as normal till 6-7000rpm. Instead of clutch slipping for couple of thousand revs while still accelerating normally, there was a massive surge of acceleration as the kent cams came on song. Front wheel shot up on me unexpectedly.

Knew it was slipping a bit, but by fuck did the plates make a difference! Big difference in acceleration top end of every gear. Like riding a 2 stroke again waiting for powerband to kick in. Great!

[Pigford]

Jon, glad they're OK mate....
Had a look on Autoroute (to check the address was OK before I sent 'em) and you're on a friggin' Island miles from nowhere
Don't go too mad, you'll over shoot & get wet

[uk kev]

I intend to be doing some major clutch fettling when I get back from the US

[Pigford]

You had a result then Kev

[Jon]

Jon, glad they're OK mate....
Had a look on Autoroute (to check the address was OK before I sent 'em) and you're on a friggin' Island miles from nowhere
Don't go too mad, you'll over shoot & get wet

Yup middle of nowhere mate. Been gradually moving futher north over the years. Made sense for us. Not got to worry about kids as no chavs or crime. Good for bikes as no junctions/traffic lights/traffic/police/nowt, except mobile chicanes (sheep). Sold our old house n got a 4 bed ere for just over half the mortgage of the last house. Bit skint as no work, but we get by. Rather skint and happy tho. Time out to do our own thing n go to beach at weekends with kids, etc.

[debben1]

Sounds great Jon, the rat race seems to get more and more hectic, like the traffic down here, glad to hear your enjoying the Z again

[Jon]

Yup looking forwards to summer. Ninjas going back together in next few days hopefully too. Had her apart for service and shims. Just need to get trike mot`d. Only one place that does class 3 up ere tho and unless your inbred with a secret handshake he aint interested. Might be a trip back to mainland each year. Lot of hassle.