Sticking Clutch

Dave · 01-13-2008, 11:52 AM

Yesterday, when I started up the bike and dropped it into 1st, it stalled out as if I had not pulled in the clutch. When I hit the starter, there was a slight jerk forward but it did start up and everything work fine the rest of the day. The bike had been sitting for almost two weeks. Is this normal for a Kawasaki Nomad's clutch?

Dave

01nomad · 01-13-2008, 12:23 PM

Yes, that is normal. They say to work it a couple of times, after the first start, before dropping it in gear.

Yellow Jacket · 01-13-2008, 02:15 PM

When mine has been sitting for more than a few days before I start it I make sure it's in first gear, then I pull the clutch lever in and rock the bike back and forth until I can feel the clutch let go. It usually only takes a couple of rocks for it to free up and then it's fine.

01-13-2008, 02:45 PM

I do the exact same thing as bob

flightdoc · 01-14-2008, 09:38 AM

ditto on Bob's note.

01-14-2008, 10:11 AM

I find it helps to let the bike warm up for at least a minute prior to shifting into first gear.I have 37K miles on my 05 and it still clunks shifting 1st to 2nd, especially at very low engine speeds.

Mike

donoller · 01-14-2008, 01:01 PM

as they said most bikes do this

dogdoc · 01-14-2008, 09:22 PM

my '05 shifts smoother into second if you change into second quicker(slower speeds) than rapping it out before shifting to second.

donoller · 01-18-2008, 05:40 PM

all bikes do this some worst then others put in gear hit starter it will breake loose then put in n. and restart not jump

burkazoid · 01-29-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Yesterday, when I started up the bike and dropped it into 1st, it stalled out as if I had not pulled in the clutch. When I hit the starter, there was a slight jerk forward but it did start up and everything work fine the rest of the day. The bike had been sitting for almost two weeks. Is this normal for a Kawasaki Nomad's clutch?

Dave

Yep, happens to me on the Nomad, and also happened on the 800 Classic I had. My understanding is it's the clutch plates sticking. I usually exercise the clutch as I'm backing it out of the garage. Ten or twelve flexes, and it's good to go.

flightdoc · 01-30-2008, 11:34 AM

If my bike has been sitting a long time....like all winter......It will stick, even in neutral. With the bike in neutral, I rock it back and forth until it "breaks" free. Then exercise the clutch lever a bunch of times. When you hit the strater be sure to hold the front break tightly. My first spring after the bike sat all winter I went to do the first start up and not knowing what I do now, dropped it in first and it almost went through the garage wall!!

**Top Cat** · 01-30-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

If my bike has been sitting a long time....like all winter......It will stick, even in neutral. With the bike in neutral, I rock it back and forth until it "breaks" free. Then exercise the clutch lever a bunch of times. When you hit the strater be sure to hold the front break tightly. My first spring after the bike sat all winter I went to do the first start up and not knowing what I do now, dropped it in first and it almost went through the garage wall!!

Thats good to know flightdoc , I don't need a hole in the back of the bike shed

ridemslow · 06-12-2008, 01:07 PM

IT'S COMMON. JUST WORK THE CLUTCH 5 OR 6 TIMES BEFORE YOU GET READY TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. GADGET MENTIONED IT ON HIS PAGE TOO.

papat · 06-12-2008, 01:26 PM

Yep normal

VulcanE · 06-13-2008, 09:20 AM

When you do put it into 1st for the first time of the day, push down on the lever slowly, and not stab it quickly and the engagement will be a lot smoother.

01-13-2008, 11:52 AM	#1
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	Sticking Clutch Yesterday, when I started up the bike and dropped it into 1st, it stalled out as if I had not pulled in the clutch. When I hit the starter, there was a slight jerk forward but it did start up and everything work fine the rest of the day. The bike had been sitting for almost two weeks. Is this normal for a Kawasaki Nomad's clutch? Dave Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-13-2008, 12:23 PM	#2
01nomad Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clinton, Iowa Posts: 192	Sticking Clutch Yes, that is normal. They say to work it a couple of times, after the first start, before dropping it in gear.
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01-13-2008, 02:15 PM	#3
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Sticking Clutch When mine has been sitting for more than a few days before I start it I make sure it's in first gear, then I pull the clutch lever in and rock the bike back and forth until I can feel the clutch let go. It usually only takes a couple of rocks for it to free up and then it's fine. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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01-13-2008, 02:45 PM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	Sticking Clutch I do the exact same thing as bob
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01-14-2008, 09:38 AM	#5
flightdoc Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barrington, New Hampshire Posts: 1,285	Sticking Clutch ditto on Bob's note. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-14-2008, 10:11 AM	#6
Guest Posts: n/a	Sticking Clutch I find it helps to let the bike warm up for at least a minute prior to shifting into first gear.I have 37K miles on my 05 and it still clunks shifting 1st to 2nd, especially at very low engine speeds. Mike
	0

01-14-2008, 01:01 PM	#7
donoller Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: jackson tn. Posts: 555	Sticking Clutch as they said most bikes do this
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01-14-2008, 09:22 PM	#8
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Sticking Clutch my '05 shifts smoother into second if you change into second quicker(slower speeds) than rapping it out before shifting to second.
	0

01-18-2008, 05:40 PM	#9
donoller Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: jackson tn. Posts: 555	Sticking Clutch all bikes do this some worst then others put in gear hit starter it will breake loose then put in n. and restart not jump
	0

01-30-2008, 11:34 AM	#11
flightdoc Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barrington, New Hampshire Posts: 1,285	Sticking Clutch If my bike has been sitting a long time....like all winter......It will stick, even in neutral. With the bike in neutral, I rock it back and forth until it "breaks" free. Then exercise the clutch lever a bunch of times. When you hit the strater be sure to hold the front break tightly. My first spring after the bike sat all winter I went to do the first start up and not knowing what I do now, dropped it in first and it almost went through the garage wall!!
	0

06-12-2008, 01:07 PM	#13
ridemslow Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chesapeake, Ohio Posts: 1,537	Sticking Clutch IT'S COMMON. JUST WORK THE CLUTCH 5 OR 6 TIMES BEFORE YOU GET READY TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. GADGET MENTIONED IT ON HIS PAGE TOO. __________________
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06-12-2008, 01:26 PM	#14
papat Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tucumcari NM Posts: 358	Sticking Clutch Yep normal __________________ SHEEPLE: Sheep like people, many of whom deny the existence of wolves, and vote to pull the teeth of the sheepdogs who protect the flock!
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06-13-2008, 09:20 AM	#15
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Sticking Clutch When you do put it into 1st for the first time of the day, push down on the lever slowly, and not stab it quickly and the engagement will be a lot smoother. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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