Clutch issue or rider issue?

[Joeyaun93]

I have always known that neutral tends to be easy to find when you’re out cruising, but last night was the first time I experienced this outside of the 1/2 shift and I thought I lost my chain for a second. Shifted from 4 to 5 and shift didn’t complete and it sounded awful, my question is, how common is it to sustain damage from this? After this happened to me last night it seems like the throw on the shifter was shortened. Why?

[Smithy404]

Sooo as I’ve gotten more comfortable with the Z9 I’ve noticed I’m having quite a few bad shifts when giving it the beans. Especially going from 1st to 2nd when I’m above 6K I get stuck in neutral with the bike unwilling to engage 2nd gear despite being off the throttle, having the clutch in all the way and being as deliberate as I can. I’ve tried it slow, I’ve tried is fast, I’ve tried it hard I’ve tried it smooth - the Z9 can be a bastard at times. Although I know I must be going wrong somewhere too.

I do have aftermarket rear-sets, aftermarket levers and the previous owner went down 1 tooth on the front sprocket. Clutch adjustment seems fine with free play at 2.80mm (pound coin) or a fraction less.

Been having a look at shift shaft support, there’s a company in the U.K. that make them for the Z9 around £50, will install and see if it makes a difference.

[rcannon409]

If you buy a shift support, buy the one with the moveable bearing. One brand  is a fixed position bushing and it's difficult to install and not cause extra drag. I ended up buying both and this one is a lot nicer to work with.

https://japan.webike.net/products/24197481.html

It might have helped , but it was a nothing as compared to the factory pro shift spring. It's expensive for what it is. Im not affiliated with Factory Pro in any way.  I know it's crazy.

 I know I bought a spring that should have cost 4.99 and not 49.99, but it works as advertised.  Its not an easy product to install, but it helps more than a shift support. You have to look at the springs cost like we might a software update where you pay 45.00 for knowledge and 4.99 for the spring.

I have both, but I could have stopped after the spring change.  I just wanted the support because we do strange things, sometimes.

http://www.factorypro.com/prod_pages/prodk,z900,zr900,18-19.html

[Cazzy_R]

Originally Posted by rcannon409

http://www.factorypro.com/prod_pages/prodk,z900,zr900,18-19.html

 The part number pictured in that link (92144-1523) is the standard issue spring.
 Are factory pro offering something else?

[rcannon409]

Their web site isn't easy....

Factory Pro is  saying their custom spring replaces that specific part number....not that they are selling you a stock spring.

Just order one.   You'll like it.  Please pm me before you install yours and we can talk about the day I installed mine and dropped it into the oil pan. I was so disappointed I didn't even swear. 

Sure, I know how to avoid that now, but at the time it was more LOL.

Even with the difficult assembly, I still recommend the spring. 

[rcannon409]

If you are serious about ordering springs, mention that here.  I can offer some very specific instructions that make the install easier.

This isn't a difficult part to change on most bikes.  However, on our bikes we have limited access and we are working right over the entrance to the oil pan.  I know how to avoid issues after learning this the hard way.

I didn't notice much in the driveway.  The shift lever was more stiff to move.  I don't know how much stiffer it is.  I should have measured with a fish scale, but I didn't.

You notice the stiffer lever as you ride, but the new spring feels like a shift happens faster, if that makes any sense?  I haven't landed in a false neutral spot (between gears) since changing the spring. 

[Smithy404]

Always looking to improve feedback and drivability of the Z, will give this a go when I have to open up the clutch basket at some point. Right now she is running like a dream.

[rcannon409]

Smithy, this is where it gets interesting.

My bike never REALLY had any shifting issues.  I missed a gear, on occasion, but over time this was minimal.

I added my spring as a preventative measure more than a fix.  If, and I know that's a big if, but if it helps prevent gear and transmission damage it's well with the 49.99 and the stack of filthy words I used while installing it.

[3alfa3]

Originally Posted by rcannon409

My bike never REALLY had any shifting issues.  I missed a gear, on occasion, but over time this was minimal.

Same here (i did set up shift lever lower to be comfortable). In last 56000 km, false neutral happened maybe 3-4 times, and that was my lazy shifting, not bike.

[Smithy404]

Indeed that is interesting. I fitted some aftermarket rearsets and I believe my poor installation + new balance 327 were the main culprits. After adjusting the shift lever to a lower position I haven’t suffered from any false neutrals.


To an extent I enjoy future proofing or in my case usually unnecessarily tampering with things that don’t need fixing so I definitely will be giving that spring a go and I too of my own accord will throw a filthy word or two in there for good measure.

You mention a stiffer lever feel, I tend to like things on the firmer side so I’m definitely leaning towards that adaptation.