Clutch problems?

[mcclaskeyj]

After pulling out of the garage this morning I accelerated down my street in 1st gear to about 6k RPMs and seemed to lose power at the rear wheel while the engine continued to rev. I'm talking about a noticeable power loss but not from the engine RPMs. There was no noticeable tire slide or "peeling out" just as if the clutch was being pulled in a bit.

I assure you I wasn't touching the clutch at the time. I did the same maneuver as I pulled on to the main highway on takeoff and got the same result. I've never had this happen before with either of my C14s.

Am I off track here or does this sound like a clutch issue?

[jamiemac]

Do You still have the stock lever? Could there be something interfering with the return of Your clutch?

[Gearhead82]

What kind of oil do you use?  Have you ever put any kind of additives into your oil? 

Have you ever bled or changed the clutch fluid?

[mcclaskeyj]

The lever is stock and nothing is close enough to touch it. I used 10W40 Motorcycle oil when I did the last change a few hundred miles ago. I haven't yet changed the clutch fluid yet. It should be DOT3 brake fluid right?

Would the clutch fluid be a possible culprit for the problem I've described above? I'm not very knowlegeable about the clutch setup on this bike since my other bikes are all cable assemblies.

[mcclaskeyj]

I don't use any oil additives also.

[jonathan]

It does sound like a slipping clutch, but bleeding the clutch is the first thing I would try because that is cheap and easy. You won't like what happens if that doesn't fix it.

[mcclaskeyj]

It does sound like a slipping clutch, but bleeding the clutch is the first thing I would try because that is cheap and easy. You won't like what happens if that doesn't fix it.

Well looks like I'll be watching some of Phil's video this evening. 

[Boomer]

Yup, bleed it first.
If that don't work, replace the clutch fluid with fresh DOT4.
Next step after that is to remove the slave cylinder and take a look at the piston and the pushrod.
After that yer into the right side engine casing to look at the thrust springs, steel and friction plates, and the slipper clutch mechanism.
I recently replace all my clutch plates after one of the OEM friction plates disintegrated, so been there, done that.

It slips at around 6,000rpm because that is where peak torque is delivered.
If you feed the throttle in gently then it shouldn't slip.

What's the mileage on the bike?
Still under warranty?

[mcclaskeyj]

Yup, bleed it first.
If that don't work, replace the clutch fluid with fresh DOT4.
Next step after that is to remove the slave cylinder and take a look at the piston and the pushrod.
After that yer into the right side engine casing to look at the thrust springs, steel and friction plates, and the slipper clutch mechanism.
I recently replace all my clutch plates after one of the OEM friction plates disintegrated, so been there, done that.

It slips at around 6,000rpm because that is where peak torque is delivered.
If you feed the throttle in gently then it shouldn't slip.

What's the mileage on the bike?
Still under warranty?

It's an '09 with 14,700 miles. I don't remember the terms of the factory warranty.

[Son of Pappy]

It's an '09 with 14,700 miles. I don't remember the terms of the factory warranty.

3 years, unlimited mileage with an option to extend 3 more years if still under warranty, same unlimited mileage.

[jamiemac]

Should still be under warranty. Use it.

[mcclaskeyj]

Absolutely! 

[stevewfl]

Should still be under warranty. Use it.

Absolutely! 

[S.Ga.Rider]

I dont think they will cover the clutch plates. I had a cbr and r1 do the same thing and had to replace the clutch in both.

[jimmymac]

Kinda like brake pads. clutch plates are wear items.
It's kinda soon for them to fail though. I'm at 19,500 miles so far and the clutch is good, but right around 20,000 miles is when I go through a clutch in my last few bikes... Time will tell. I love taking off HARD from a stop.

[C1xRider]

Still could be engine oil related.  Since you didn't say what brand / flavor of oil you used, no one else can confirm if they have used the same without any problems.

I've had lots of problems with slipping and grabby clutches on other bikes in the past that was purely oil related, before they came out with motorcycle spec oil.  Since then, not so much.

Before you spend any money on anything else, I would change the oil and put genuine Kawasaki motor oil in it.  That way if you do end up at the dealer, you can tell them it has their oil in it.  Otherwise, they'll probably throw that one at you first.

I don't see how bleeding the clutch would help (obviously it can't hurt though, just use DOT-4 fluid).  The hydraulic system requires pressure to apply force to spread the clutch plates apart, and I know of no way the system would maintain pressure after the lever is released, that bleeding would fix.  Maybe I missed something?   

[mcclaskeyj]

Still could be engine oil related.  Since you didn't say what brand / flavor of oil you used, no one else can confirm if they have used the same without any problems.

I've had lots of problems with slipping and grabby clutches on other bikes in the past that was purely oil related, before they came out with motorcycle spec oil.  Since then, not so much.

Before you spend any money on anything else, I would change the oil and put genuine Kawasaki motor oil in it.  That way if you do end up at the dealer, you can tell them it has their oil in it.  Otherwise, they'll probably throw that one at you first.

I don't see how bleeding the clutch would help (obviously it can't hurt though, just use DOT-4 fluid).  The hydraulic system requires pressure to apply force to spread the clutch plates apart, and I know of no way the system would maintain pressure after the lever is released, that bleeding would fix.  Maybe I missed something?   

What's interesting is I've used the same brand motorcycle oil since I've had the bike and changed it at 5-6k mile intervals. I don't normally stress the clutch plates by hard take-offs and such but have on a few occaisions. 

I didn't notice any trouble on the ride home yesterday with the clutch but I should be able to tell more this weekend if the rain would clear out for a little while. 

If not I should at least be able to change the fluid this weekend.

[jimmymac]

Did you buy it brand new?

[lather]

I once thought my clutch (on another bike) was beginng to slip. Turned out the clutch was fine, it was my tire turning on the rim.