Clunky Nomad

[bz54]

Help! I'm looking for an answer to the Clunking that going on on may 2012 Nomad. After I but it in gear I get the normal Clunk from shifting it in gear I exspected. But then when I release the clutch I get a very loud CLUNK Like the Drive line is taking up slack. It also Clunks If I'm driving down the road, roll on and of the throttle in any gear at any speed i get Clunk Clunk If I roll up to a stop light or sign hold in the Clutch and let it out to pull away It clunks. the Factory Rep. says it's normal and they all do it.

[trosco]

Your 2012 is belt driven, there is no drive line slack as there is no rear diferential, u-joint, etc... There is something very wrong, most likely in the clutch and the factory rep is steering you wrong.

[cactusjack]

I assume the belt driven models have the rubber dampeners in the rear hub like the shaft drive models did? That might be a place to look as well. Those dampeners are designed to absorb shocks such as sudden acceleration, etc.

[bz54]

OK I just left the Dealer, they have my bike apart meaning the right engine
cover. The clutch plates are out of the Clutch basket If you grab the clutch basket it rotates about 60 degrees from stop to stop. I've wrenched a few bike
in my years. I never saw one with this much play. Even some with about 100,000 miles don't rotate this much. Mine only has 4000 miles on it. this is what they call normal? If it is, Kawai has some very big Quality issues. So I was just wondering if any one else has had a similar problem.

[cnc]

I guessing broken tooth on a gear,or messed up keyway, something along those lines.
I'm assuming it is still under warranty?

[jp58]

My bike clunks over bumps. Always has. The trans on the 1700's have to much play. I think that helps contribute to the herky jerkys we get at slow speeds. When in first gear engine off and moving the bike forward and backward has 2 1/2 inch play. My friends victory xc tour has 1 inch. Crappy trans in my opinion.

[blowndodge]

Those dampeners are designed to absorb shocks such as sudden acceleration, etc.

That leaves your Harley out of that equation!!:tup:

[bz54]

I'm not sure what the problem is, bit I can't see how the transmission could live very long with that much hammering going on. I'm waiting for the Factory Rep. to look at it, but I'm sure he's going to say it's normal. But that's just one of the issues with this bike I've had it about 20 weeks the dealer has had it about 8-10 weeks. I know you guys love your bikes and I thought I would love this one too but it's been one big nightmare. just one problem after another. And the funny thing is Kawasaki says most of the problems are normal. Man have they got some Quality problems. Maybe they should start listening to there customers. I can tell you that thier customer service
is problably the worst in the industry.Absolutly no help.

[Kawhead]

If you don't have it, I'd get the Extended Warranty, since there's nothing wrong with it, and ride it hard until it finally dose the ultimate CLUNK and then twist the throttle ''till it locks up or quits! I don't know if warranty covers towing, if it doesn't, make sure you have access to a trailer.

For some reason I'm still Kawasaki loyal, but generally, their service department sux a mule's ass. I MUST ADD my two brief experiences with the service department are when I bought my first Nomad, it was from a dealer. After about 30 minutes of staring down, and gnashing teeth the dealer quoted me a a price eight large out the door. He said he'd change the oil, plugs and air filter while I got the money. It wasn't ready when I got back, I told him I'd pick it up on my way to work. When I returned he said it's on the table, it ought to be finished when I get the paper work done. I still had to wait a while before finally they brought it out and loaded it on my truck. :ohno: When we unloaded the bike the next day, the oil in the sight glass caught my eye. Just as black and nasty as Blowndodge. :yep: None of that stuff had been touched. Not even wiped off to make it appear that the filters or plugs had been changed. I should have sent a "Thank You" card and a cake or Hot Wings or something for a lesson well learned!:wtf:

ON THE OTHER HAND! I was having Nomad problems while riding through Homestead, FLA. and pulled into the Kawi dealer close to closing time, and three young mechanics, that at first I wasn't impressed with, came out and got me going on their time. I insisted they take $20 for just damn good service, and they refused it. You hardly see that anymore from young folk.

Said the guy morphing into his grandpa. :wtf:

[Kawhead]

Oh, watch your thread for a few more days. Somebody is just liable have an answe fore you.
On this web site sits a service department thats always described, even in the worstest of times, as AWESOME MAN!http://www.pic4ever.com/images/Ghelyon.gif

AWESOME like Halle Berry in that Cat Woman suit!http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sex023.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

[cnc]

Well I do still love my Nomad, it's a 2008, so I can't speak for any of the issues you guys seem to have with the 1700's.