Clutch doesn't fully disengage power when pulled in.

reaubideux · November 2nd, 2011, 06:59 PM

I was adjusting my chain tension tonight and while the bike was up on stands, after I'd tightened everything back up and lubed up the chain, for one reason or another I started up the bike - still on the stands, in nuetral, kickstand down - and got a hair up my keister and hopped on the bike, put up the kickstand and put it in first gear. Clutch was obviously pulled in at the time but I was freaked out when I noticed that, while the bike's in first gear with the clutch lever pulled against the hand grip (to cut power to the rear wheel), the rear wheel was moving under power.

Shifted back to nuetral and it stopped spinning. Got off the bike, clutch lever squeezed all the way, shifted the bike into first gear and the wheel started spinning again. I was able to stop the spinning with one hand holding the clutch lever in and using my foot to stop the tire with some force (not the brightest thing to do, but I was curious how much power was getting to that rear tire) but as soon as lifted my foot off it'd start spinning again. I let go of the clutch lever completely, to fully engage the engine's power to the rear wheel and this time was unable to stop the wheel, I could slow it, but not stop it (didn't do it for long at all, afraid of damaging the transmission).

Took the bike off the stands and so the weight of the bike (and me) were on the tire and with the bike running, in first gear, clutch lever pulled in all the way, the bike wouldn't move. My weight + the bike was enough to keep it from rolling. With this same setup, except with me standing next to the bike so as to remove my weight from the rear tire it wouldn't roll but it sure seemed like it just barely wasn't going to roll.

I didn't have much play in the clutch lever to begin with but I took what little slack there was in the clutch lever out. Also used the steps in the shop manual for pulling the slack out where it attaches down at the bottom/side of the engine and it still spins.

I have no idea if it's always been this way or what as this was the first time I've ever decided to do this. The more I think about it I'm concerned about what kind of damage I may be inadvertently causing to the engine/transmission when I'm stopped at a light in 1st gear, clutch pulled in all the way but with a bit of power still trying to spin that back tire.

Luckily, it's still under warranty so if need be I can take it to the dealership to get checked out but if it's something simple enough I'd just assume fix it myself.

Any suggestions?

n4mwd · November 2nd, 2011, 07:15 PM

It doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with it. Its just the way wet clutches work.

bob706 · November 2nd, 2011, 07:37 PM

nothing wrong with your bike

alex.s · November 2nd, 2011, 07:47 PM

normal. its more apparent when its cold. the oil thins out when its warm

Mr.E · November 2nd, 2011, 10:32 PM

From what I understand, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, even when the clutch is pulled fully in, there's always a little power going to the rear wheel. The engine is never fully 100% disengaged from the engine when in gear. It'll move a little. When you sit on it, if it doesnt pull you forward and you can still rock and what not, I'm sure you're fine and its normal.

In fact, im about 99% sure it's normal and that there's always a little power being put in.

Alex · November 2nd, 2011, 11:58 PM

Normal.

reaubideux · November 3rd, 2011, 04:34 AM

So what you're all saying is that it sounds like the clutch/tranny has some serious problems and will most likely need to be replaced? Am I right? Just want to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Thanks guys. Glad that it's normal. Feel like an absolute moron now, but I'm glad to know there's nothing actually wrong with the bike.

n4mwd · November 3rd, 2011, 06:40 AM

While the Ninja 250 is not maintenance free, it will give you a lot of miles of trouble free service if you stick to the factory required maintenance schedule.

The only problem I'm aware of with the clutch is on the pregen (not sure about the newgen) the clutch basket rattles and causes the bike to make a ticking sound at idle. Harmless, but can be annoying.

pjed · November 3rd, 2011, 06:58 AM

Every bike I've owned spun the rear wheel when running in neutral on a stand. Especially when it was cold.

Jinx250 · November 3rd, 2011, 09:14 AM

Normal, now put that slack back in your clutch cable before you toast your clutch plates.

reaubideux · November 3rd, 2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinx250

Normal, now put that slack back in your clutch cable before you toast your clutch plates.

I plan to once I get home, there's still some slack, but it's very, very little. Arguably within spec, based on the shop manual.

rockNroll · November 3rd, 2011, 10:11 AM

whew

November 2nd, 2011, 06:59 PM	#1
reaubideux Perpetual Newb Name: Jason Location: Imperial, MO Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 MIB Ninja 250R [sold]; 2006 CBR600RR [sold]; 2013 Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 782	Clutch doesn't fully disengage power when pulled in. I was adjusting my chain tension tonight and while the bike was up on stands, after I'd tightened everything back up and lubed up the chain, for one reason or another I started up the bike - still on the stands, in nuetral, kickstand down - and got a hair up my keister and hopped on the bike, put up the kickstand and put it in first gear. Clutch was obviously pulled in at the time but I was freaked out when I noticed that, while the bike's in first gear with the clutch lever pulled against the hand grip (to cut power to the rear wheel), the rear wheel was moving under power. Shifted back to nuetral and it stopped spinning. Got off the bike, clutch lever squeezed all the way, shifted the bike into first gear and the wheel started spinning again. I was able to stop the spinning with one hand holding the clutch lever in and using my foot to stop the tire with some force (not the brightest thing to do, but I was curious how much power was getting to that rear tire) but as soon as lifted my foot off it'd start spinning again. I let go of the clutch lever completely, to fully engage the engine's power to the rear wheel and this time was unable to stop the wheel, I could slow it, but not stop it (didn't do it for long at all, afraid of damaging the transmission). Took the bike off the stands and so the weight of the bike (and me) were on the tire and with the bike running, in first gear, clutch lever pulled in all the way, the bike wouldn't move. My weight + the bike was enough to keep it from rolling. With this same setup, except with me standing next to the bike so as to remove my weight from the rear tire it wouldn't roll but it sure seemed like it just barely wasn't going to roll. I didn't have much play in the clutch lever to begin with but I took what little slack there was in the clutch lever out. Also used the steps in the shop manual for pulling the slack out where it attaches down at the bottom/side of the engine and it still spins. I have no idea if it's always been this way or what as this was the first time I've ever decided to do this. The more I think about it I'm concerned about what kind of damage I may be inadvertently causing to the engine/transmission when I'm stopped at a light in 1st gear, clutch pulled in all the way but with a bit of power still trying to spin that back tire. Luckily, it's still under warranty so if need be I can take it to the dealership to get checked out but if it's something simple enough I'd just assume fix it myself. Any suggestions?

November 2nd, 2011, 07:15 PM	#2
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	It doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with it. Its just the way wet clutches work. __________________________________________________ My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED!

November 2nd, 2011, 07:37 PM	#3
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	nothing wrong with your bike __________________________________________________ http://sandollarmotorcycleclub.com/

November 2nd, 2011, 07:47 PM	#4
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	normal. its more apparent when its cold. the oil thins out when its warm __________________________________________________

November 2nd, 2011, 10:32 PM	#5
Mr.E That rider dude. Name: Eric Location: Orlando, Fl. Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250 SE. Posts: A lot.	From what I understand, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, even when the clutch is pulled fully in, there's always a little power going to the rear wheel. The engine is never fully 100% disengaged from the engine when in gear. It'll move a little. When you sit on it, if it doesnt pull you forward and you can still rock and what not, I'm sure you're fine and its normal. In fact, im about 99% sure it's normal and that there's always a little power being put in. __________________________________________________ Mods: flushmount Led front binkers, diode mod, pazzo levers, clear tank pad, racing replica grips, bike monkeys integrated tal light, zx-2r vinyls, rearsets, red bar ends, and more red accented stuff.

November 2nd, 2011, 11:58 PM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Normal. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 3rd, 2011, 04:34 AM	#7
reaubideux Perpetual Newb Name: Jason Location: Imperial, MO Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 MIB Ninja 250R [sold]; 2006 CBR600RR [sold]; 2013 Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 782	So what you're all saying is that it sounds like the clutch/tranny has some serious problems and will most likely need to be replaced? Am I right? Just want to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thanks guys. Glad that it's normal. Feel like an absolute moron now, but I'm glad to know there's nothing actually wrong with the bike.

November 3rd, 2011, 06:40 AM	#8
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	While the Ninja 250 is not maintenance free, it will give you a lot of miles of trouble free service if you stick to the factory required maintenance schedule. The only problem I'm aware of with the clutch is on the pregen (not sure about the newgen) the clutch basket rattles and causes the bike to make a ticking sound at idle. Harmless, but can be annoying. __________________________________________________ My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED!

November 3rd, 2011, 06:58 AM	#9
pjed ninjette.org guru Name: Paul Location: Midwest Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100, 2006 Yamaha R1, 2006 Kawasaki ZZR600, 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2017 Kawasaki Z900 Posts: 320	Every bike I've owned spun the rear wheel when running in neutral on a stand. Especially when it was cold.

November 3rd, 2011, 09:14 AM	#10
Jinx250 Smoker Name: Bob Location: SoCal Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): Guess.... Posts: 556	Normal, now put that slack back in your clutch cable before you toast your clutch plates.

November 3rd, 2011, 10:11 AM	#12
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	whew __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

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