Went for a ride...

[Kris]

...and a few things spoiled my fun this weekend...

Firstly the clutch began to feel very 'slack' and the biting point moved from it's normal position to right back to the lever. At one point the bike felt stuck in gear and the gear lever felt really spongey. Any ideas?

Secondly the brakes are shit. Not much stopping power and even less feel. Ideally braided hoses would be fitted, but if I can avoid spending £££'s I will Will have to bleed them I suppose and see if they improve.

Thirdly (sp?) the garage noticed excessive play in the swingarm linkage. Does this mean I just need new bearings?

Kris
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Lee]

Have you checked your clutch cable? sounds like it may have stretched or pulled loose a bit at one end, or has began fraying! I'd also check there is no dirt or crap in the brake fluid resevoir, check for any leaks or splits in the brakelines then bleed the system and top up the fluid.

Hope this helps, and that im not talking utter shit

[Kickstart]

Hi

Think the ZXR has a hydraulic clutch? If so I would try bleeding it through with fresh fluid. It might have got contaminated or run low on fluid.

I would also do the same for the brakes

Braided hoses don't do that much unless you standard hoses have gone (which isn't that common). Otherwise they do make a slight difference compared to the standard rubber hoses, but I am not sure whether it really is an improvement.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Kris]

[Korn]

Sell it and buy something not made by Kawasaki
____________________
3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[Robby]

Low oil makes the gearchanges very stiff.

To bleed the brakes get some new fluid, an 8mm spanner, and a bit of plastic or rubber hose to put over the nipple. If you want to put new fluid in bring it down to mine and my little suction bottle jobby makes it much quicker to chage the fluid.

Are you fork seals ok? If they are leaking you'll have fork oil on your brakes, which never helps.

[Kris]

[Kris]

Just asked some guy on MCN and he reckons that the dodgy feel of the clutch is probably down to the old rubber hose and cylinder seals. He recommends getting a braided hose and new cylinder seals. Anyone care to comment on this?

Also the garage noticed excessive play in the swingarm linkage. Does this mean I just need new bearings?
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Kickstart]

Hi

It is possible, but personally I think people blame the hoses because they are cheap and easy to replace. My FZ still has its original clutch hose after 65000 miles and 18 years. My guess would be that you have some water in the fluid and as it has got hot that has turned to vapour and expanded.

Excessive play is usually knackered bushes in the rear suspension linkage. They are not cheap . There will be several that have probably worn.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Viper]

[Kris]

Thanks for the replies people

the good news is that I have found someone breaking an identical bike... so I have sourced a set of braided lines for £15 (as well as a new rear footpeg - £10)

I'll do as Vik suggested and remove a bit of oil this weekend and see if it improves. If not the clutch fluid may have to be replaced - as Keith suggested.

As far as the suspension goes... I'll be looking at new ones then

Thanks again for the advice V and Keith - ever helpful as usual
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[andrew]

Doh! I was just going to reply to your post Kristof but i dont think ill bother seeing as youve just had your answers. Wait a minute i have replied to your post

[Kris]

Never mind Dru mate Your post was very helpful too..

yea right!


____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Kickstart]