Dead clutch or Newbie problem?

Racebrewer · November 14th, 2009, 09:35 AM

Hi,

Went out this morning to go for a ride and the bike is fighting me. Started it up and it would stall every time I put it in gear.

After about a dozen tries I was able to get it into gear and then it would just stall when I let out the clutch. I tried that a number of times with different throttle settings and even rolling it forward Flintstone style with zero success.

This is a 2004 with unknown mileage and multiple owners who laid it down many times.

What should I look for? Clutch adjustment? Little pieces? Operator error?

Thanks,
John

kkim · November 14th, 2009, 09:38 AM

when was the last time the oil was changed? also. check your clutch cable free play adjustment.

also, read this... http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_bike...this_normal%3F

M · November 14th, 2009, 08:59 PM

It's probably stalling because you need to use the choke and dump some extra petrol into the carbs. You can back off the choke after 2-3 miles.

nate-bama · November 15th, 2009, 07:28 AM

sounds like your kickstand was down

Racebrewer · November 15th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Hi,

Adjusted clutch. Lubed cable. Kickstand was up. Still dies when I let the clutch out......... Zero forward movement.

But..... Kickstand.... Hhhhmmmm. When I got the bike the kickstand switch was dangling and hanging by a single screw. I found a socket head with the right threads and length in my basement and just put it in place.

Worked for a day? I have to go check that out.

Thanks,
John

Racebrewer · November 15th, 2009, 02:38 PM

Went back out to the driveway and pulled off the kickstand. The switch plunger was bent and jammed. Rubber boot was missing. Plunger was all chewed up, probably from being dragged on the ground. I cleaned it up with a file and a 3M pad, but it still jams at the bend.

Tonight I'll try straightening it in a vise with aluminum jaws. If that doesn't work, its off to the local Kawonda dealer. If they don't have it, where's a good place (preferably in the Northeast U.S.) where I can order?

At least it wasn't Newbie Operator Error....

Thanks,
John

Snake · November 15th, 2009, 03:39 PM

Glad to hear you finaly found the problem. You might want to bypass the kickstand switch until you can find a replacement. The only place I can think of to try is on ebay.

M · November 15th, 2009, 07:26 PM

John,

I have used 250 parts (about 20 tubs worth in my garage). I'll check Mon/Tue and see if I have a kickstand safety switch.

kkim · November 15th, 2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M

I have used 250 parts (about 20 tubs worth in my garage).

pics or it ain't true.

Racebrewer · November 23rd, 2009, 06:41 AM

Hi,

I filed most of the damage off of the bent and gouged switch plunger, but it still jammed. Next step was to straighten the plunger by clamping it in the vise and applying pressure to the switch body.

It seems to be working OK, but I haven't got it back on the bike. I'll try that Wednesday or Thursday. Getting there!

Thanks again,
John

kkim · November 23rd, 2009, 10:23 AM

is the switch preventing you from riding the bike? If so, you can bypass it until you get it fixed/replaced.

November 14th, 2009, 09:35 AM	#1
Racebrewer ninjette.org newbie Name: John Location: Plattsburgh, NY Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 7	Dead clutch or Newbie problem? Hi, Went out this morning to go for a ride and the bike is fighting me. Started it up and it would stall every time I put it in gear. After about a dozen tries I was able to get it into gear and then it would just stall when I let out the clutch. I tried that a number of times with different throttle settings and even rolling it forward Flintstone style with zero success. This is a 2004 with unknown mileage and multiple owners who laid it down many times. What should I look for? Clutch adjustment? Little pieces? Operator error? Thanks, John

November 15th, 2009, 07:28 AM	#4
nate-bama North Alabama Mtn. ryder Name: Nate Location: Alabama Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Posts: 537	sounds like your kickstand was down __________________________________________________ QTRltrPWR

November 15th, 2009, 02:38 PM	#6
Racebrewer ninjette.org newbie Name: John Location: Plattsburgh, NY Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 7	Ah-Ha!!!!! Went back out to the driveway and pulled off the kickstand. The switch plunger was bent and jammed. Rubber boot was missing. Plunger was all chewed up, probably from being dragged on the ground. I cleaned it up with a file and a 3M pad, but it still jams at the bend. Tonight I'll try straightening it in a vise with aluminum jaws. If that doesn't work, its off to the local Kawonda dealer. If they don't have it, where's a good place (preferably in the Northeast U.S.) where I can order? At least it wasn't Newbie Operator Error.... Thanks, John

November 23rd, 2009, 06:41 AM	#10
Racebrewer ninjette.org newbie Name: John Location: Plattsburgh, NY Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 7	Fixed... I think. Hi, I filed most of the damage off of the bent and gouged switch plunger, but it still jammed. Next step was to straighten the plunger by clamping it in the vise and applying pressure to the switch body. It seems to be working OK, but I haven't got it back on the bike. I'll try that Wednesday or Thursday. Getting there! Thanks again, John

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November 14th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	when was the last time the oil was changed? also. check your clutch cable free play adjustment. also, read this... http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_bike...this_normal%3F

November 14th, 2009, 08:59 PM	#3
M ninjette.org member Name: M Location: Oklahoma Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 x2, Ninja 650R Posts: 165	It's probably stalling because you need to use the choke and dump some extra petrol into the carbs. You can back off the choke after 2-3 miles.

November 15th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#5
Racebrewer ninjette.org newbie Name: John Location: Plattsburgh, NY Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 7	Hi, Adjusted clutch. Lubed cable. Kickstand was up. Still dies when I let the clutch out......... Zero forward movement. But..... Kickstand.... Hhhhmmmm. When I got the bike the kickstand switch was dangling and hanging by a single screw. I found a socket head with the right threads and length in my basement and just put it in place. Worked for a day? I have to go check that out. Thanks, John

November 15th, 2009, 03:39 PM	#7
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Glad to hear you finaly found the problem. You might want to bypass the kickstand switch until you can find a replacement. The only place I can think of to try is on ebay.

November 15th, 2009, 07:26 PM	#8
M ninjette.org member Name: M Location: Oklahoma Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 x2, Ninja 650R Posts: 165	John, I have used 250 parts (about 20 tubs worth in my garage). I'll check Mon/Tue and see if I have a kickstand safety switch.

November 23rd, 2009, 10:23 AM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	is the switch preventing you from riding the bike? If so, you can bypass it until you get it fixed/replaced.