almighty clunk

[bart]

hi, is it normal for a loud clunk when selecting ist gear, ntv600, seems a bit loud ? ta

[Jake]

Sept 1, 2011 10:07:48 GMT -5 bart said:

hi, is it normal for a loud clunk when selecting ist gear, ntv600, seems a bit loud ? ta

Sounds normal enough to me, Bart.....

It's a pretty clunky gearbox. It's one of
the reasons I use fully synthetic engine oil.
It make gear changing easier, but it still clunks,
especially in first.

It's better once that engine has warmed up....

[bart]

thanks, thought it might be normal,, i will maybe change the oil as you suggest, ta

[Rick76]

Clunk click - every trip. Having mulled it over for some time i think the first gear clunk, especially at cold start is a combination of- a) clutch plates hanging on to each other with cool oil after not having been separated for a while and b) the clutch running at engine speed with a fair amount of inertia, to be halted by the gear engagement. With this in mind it helps if the engine will run slowly and evenly when cold (i.e 11-1200 rpm) which it will do if in good tune with nicely balanced carbs. Obviously the clutch cable needs to be set with just enough play so its not under any tension when free, and with a nice routing run so you are getting the maximum operating travel. It helps to allow a little time between hauling in clutch and putting in the gear even when every thing is right. I too am using a 5-40 synthetic oil (Total) which seems o.k but there is a bit of clutch roughness when it takes up the drive which I've learned to live with. I wonder if this may be an NTV feature too ! rick

[Jake]

Sept 2, 2011 16:05:03 GMT -5 Rick76 said:

.... I too am using a 5-40 synthetic oil (Total) which seems o.k but there is a bit of clutch roughness when it takes up the drive which I've learned to live with. I wonder if this may be an NTV feature too ! rick

What you say, makes sense, Rick....

But I've not had the problem of 'clutch roughness' that
you mention.... It's a bit of a lottery when you buy a bike secondhand.
When I first bought my bike I was worried about the
electrics (e.g. regulator/rectifier) fork oil-seals and the clutch,
in case the previous owner had ridden like a lunatic.

I remember buying spares even before I bought the bike, like
air filter, spark plugs, oil and oil filter, new fork springs and seals,
new battery and even a set of EBC clutch plates and springs,
which thankfully I never had to use. I eventually gave them to
Paul (Mason) who was having problems with his clutch.....

By the way, although I use fully synthetic 5w40 engine oil,
I usually recommend an oil that is compatible with petrol
and diesel engines.....I got my info off an American site.

motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#Oil

www.kawiforums.com/oil-lubrication/138661-running-shell-helix-ultra-5w40-opinions.html

growell.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1605

[outlaw]

I you want to stop it clunking when you put it in gear for the first time, before you start it put it in first gear and rock the bike, then back out of gear and start the bike, then into gear no noise as the clutch plates have moved,
outlaw

[bart]

thanks outlaw, i will try that, it`s the sort of remedy i like, nice and simple, i`ll report back !

[bart]

much better, every subsequent selection of first is quieter too, happy now, anyone want to buy it ? see for sale page