Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: tony1968 on February 08, 2017, 09:35:35 PM

Title: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: tony1968 on February 08, 2017, 09:35:35 PM
Hi all, my 2008 GTR is having clutch issues, after about 40min riding, the clutch lever is loose except for the last 10mm which will operate the clutch. A further 20-30min and it slowly comes back to normal? I have done a flush and bleed, no difference?

Any advise appreciated.
Tony
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 08, 2017, 09:54:22 PM
I've had that happen to me a couple of times.  Bleeding the clutch lines and clutch master cylinder usually helps, but be aware the clutch can be very finicky to bleed.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: tony1968 on February 08, 2017, 10:11:06 PM
i HAVE PUT NEW FLUID THROUGH AND BLED THIS UP. 99% OF THE TIME THERE IS NO PROBLEM. oNLY HAPPENS ONCE PER RIDE AS WELL???
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 08, 2017, 10:17:07 PM
No, it's usually about once every couple of years for me.  Could be the master or slave cylinder at fault.  Did you bleed the bleeder on the master itself?

I'm also thinking that at the bottom of the master there should be two holes, one large one very small.  The small one can get crudded up.  Open up the top of the master cylinder and squeeze the lever very gently and see if there is fluid movement near that small hole.  If not it may be plugged.  Find a very small wire to fit that hole and try to make sure it's open.  If if the hole has fluid movement it might not be a bad idea to run the wire through it anyway.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: tony1968 on February 08, 2017, 10:23:39 PM
?? No, put new fluid in and pushed it all the way through, never letting it run out of course.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 08, 2017, 10:25:22 PM
See above..more information added.

You should bleed all of the bleeders, not just the one on the slave.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Macskwak on February 09, 2017, 08:11:21 AM
You know what the slave and master plungers are so cheap i would replace both and be done with it. You cant mess about with brakes its literally life or death so dont waste anymore time wondering 👍👍👍😁
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: tony1968 on February 09, 2017, 08:32:19 AM
Macskwak - Clutch not Brakes.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Wookie on February 09, 2017, 11:44:45 AM
It is highly probable on a 2008 bike that what you are experiencing is fluid blowby on the master cylinder rubbers . A new set will sort that out nae probs .
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 09, 2017, 01:28:52 PM
And that..
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: tony1968 on February 16, 2017, 08:35:04 AM
OK, done a bit of research on oils, seems many people don't like the Penrite MC4 Fully Synthetic, anyone had issues?
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Freddy on February 16, 2017, 08:52:41 AM
Why is that?  As that's an engine oil, how do you/they reckon it's affecting the lever funbction?
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: O.C. on February 16, 2017, 09:46:51 AM
It's not unheard of for Fully Synthetic oil to cause clutch related problems

The manufacturers generally do not recommend the use of fully synthetic oil...so I would not recommend its use

Try changing the oil for one with viscosity rating of SAE 10W-40 type  API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with  JASO MA, MA1 or MA2...THIS INFO IS COPIED FROM THE OWNERS HANDBOOK  :yes:   
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: shaggs147 on February 16, 2017, 02:50:56 PM
Wouldn't the engine oil have more to do with clutch slip rather than the lever issue? If you are absolutely certain that you have got rid of all the air then I'd probably start at the master cylinder and get a repair kit for it and go from there. I think Boomer has had his clutch apart so he will probably have more info on it for you.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Wookie on February 16, 2017, 06:20:08 PM
 Yep Wook has heard of fully synthetic causing clutch slip .. but on further invetigation it transpired that folk had put car fully synthetic in to safe a few quid and Lo and behold car oil has FRICTION INHIBITORS.DOH!
Anyhoooo I have used fully synthetic M.C oil over tens of thousands of miles with no probs at all .
Some times I even if planning to ride thru the winter swoped back to semi synthetic  .. with no probs .
If the clutch on this bike is slipping then it's new friction plates ..and possibly drive plates if blued.
That is assuming all seals and rubbers (no not the sort ya slap on ya todger ) have been changed and are in good order .
Just as an after thought .. if dot 3 has been used in a dot 4 system .. that would screw the pooch totally !
Hope this helps from Wooks repository of fek ups  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: O.C. on February 16, 2017, 06:42:06 PM
i used fully synth oil in a ZX9R I owned and it slipped like Eddie the Eagle on the jump slope  :mfr_lol:

Dot 3 and 4 swap, mmmmm, good thought Wooks   :yes:   
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 16, 2017, 09:42:42 PM
Please tell me no one here would use dot3 in their clutch or brake system...
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Wookie on February 17, 2017, 06:23:09 AM
Quote from: virginiajim on February 16, 2017, 09:42:42 PM
Please tell me no one here would use dot3 in their clutch or brake system...
Only if they were competing in Death Wish 3000 or what ever it's up to now JI'm  :popcorn:
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: tony1968 on February 18, 2017, 04:53:02 AM
Wookie, not getting any slip, just like it's a vacuum or something? Def used Dot 4 in it.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Wookie on February 18, 2017, 11:36:53 AM
Try reverse bleed .. ie from the slave back over .
Huge syringe needed and cracking off the nipples on the master . :smiley:
Ya know ! Summat VERY satisfying typing NIPPLES  :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 18, 2017, 03:49:43 PM
In case tweaking the nipples doesn't work..

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=19050.0
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Charlie747 on February 18, 2017, 05:38:25 PM
Always use the correct specified DOT number fluid never mix synthetic and mineral based fluids as doing so damages the integrity of the seals. 

Gravity feed system till fresh fluid flows from lowest bleed point.

Then bleed as necessary with what ever system you prefer.

New seals fitted would be a good move as relatively inexpensive and will work efficiently  :popcorn:
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Wookie on February 18, 2017, 06:45:15 PM
Good link Jim ..  and deffo good advice from Charlie .. seems were all singing from the same hymn book .
Just a random idea ..but ya know when you have spent 3 days trying to get a good pressure  on the front brake lever and then ya buddy says cable tue it back over night .. and Lo and behold next morning you have a STIFFIE! !! As in brake lever is firm ....
Just wondering if the same could apply to the clutch lever ?
Views anyone  :smiley:
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: virginiajim on February 19, 2017, 02:48:45 PM
I wouldn't think it would hurt to do that but if you really have issues, the problem will come back.
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Wookie on February 19, 2017, 03:48:19 PM
 Jim Ya rite tho ...
But ain't ya impressed that wook managed to get blowbye nipples and stiffie in the same posting and ... NOT go off topic  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: O.C. on February 19, 2017, 04:38:23 PM
Quote from: Wookie on February 19, 2017, 03:48:19 PM
Jim Ya rite tho ...
But ain't ya impressed that wook managed to get blowbye nipples and stiffie in the same posting and ... NOT go off topic  :mfr_lol:


impressed,  but not surprised    :mfr_lol: 
Title: Re: 1400GTR Clutch Issue
Post by: Charlie747 on February 19, 2017, 10:59:15 PM
Quote from: Wookie on February 19, 2017, 03:48:19 PM
Jim Ya rite tho ...
But ain't ya impressed that wook managed to get blowbye nipples and stiffie in the same posting and ... NOT go off topic  :mfr_lol:


PMSL.............my work here is done................. :punk: