Neutral

lau · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Karma :

Hey, I have a 2001 Kawasaki Er5, when the on center stand, in neutral the rear wheel rotates (about 2 complete turns per second). If I pull in the clutch, the wheel still moves at the same rate. Does anyone know what's causing this?
Cheers
lau

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

Here's the answer to an almost exactly the same question from four years ago...

https://en.allexperts.com/q/Motorcycle-Repair-837/84-GPZ-1100-centerstand.htm

lau · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Karma :

Nice one thanks! I'll give it a go.

Lau

Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

A lot of bikes do this - I think it is fairly normal.

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Providing it stops when you apply the back brake, don't worry about it, it's perfectly normal.

It is nothing at all to do with the clutch so don't bother stripping it.

ER5s do have an issue where the clutch plates stick together if left standing for a long time, causing it to stall when put into first. This usually sorts itself out after a few attempts at changing into gear but isn't what you are describing anyway.

A very basic (and not strictly accurate) rundown of a bike gearbox:

There are three shafts whith a variety of gears on them. The gears are slid along the shaft by the gearshift to engage with one another so they turn together in different ratios. They can also be slid from "plain" parts of the shaft where they rotate on the shaft to "splined" parts of the shaft where they turn the shaft too.

The gears turn all the time (which is why bike gearboxes change so smoothly), the different ratios are given by moving certain combinations onto the splines so they turn together.

They still turn in neutral too but the gears are all on a "plain" part of the shaft so in theory they turn on the shaft rather than turning the shaft with them.

In a totally frictionless gearbox, they would spin away merrily by themselves. Such a thing is not really possible, the slight friction between the gears and the shaft causes the wheel to turn.

Most modern bikes have a rear disc brake which grips the disc slightly even when off, this prevents you seeing the wheel turning. I'm guessing your bike has a drum brake.

Overall it's a good sign. It means your wheel rotates freely with very little resistance.