DC
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted July 20, 2008 06:35 PM
clutch adjustment
I haven't put my bike on the track yet because, well, to be honest, I'm a little afraid of first gear. I've seen videos where it sounds like you guys are riding out the clutch when launching. The question is: How the hell do you guys do that?!?! To me, it feels like I'm moving my lever less then a half an inch from fully disengaged to fully engaged. Has anyone thought about installing a smaller diameter clutch line to make our clutches respond a little smaller? Any advice would be appreciated.
  
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted July 20, 2008 07:16 PM
No man, its just a matter of practice. You gotta launch that beast like you are TRYING to burn the clutch up. Beat that bitch, its the toughest stock clutch ever made, it can handle it. You will find it doesnt grip so quickly when you are holding the rpms at 4-5K with secondary throttle blades out, and around 7K with stock setup. Now the catch is to punch it to do your damndest to keep them rpm's up there. Your clutch, when faced with that onslaught of horsepower, will suddenly become more pliable and your lever travel will increase to a degree that you should be comfortable with it. Again, don't fret about the horrible abuse you think you are delivering to those clutch plates, Kawi made sure it was more than tough enough to handle it, because they designed it from the very beginning to do just that.
There's guys on here who have 500+ drag strip launches on there stock clutches, which is unfuckingbelievable for a stock clutch. Just make sure you do not dump the clutch! Unless you want to flip it.... if you are runnin a longer swingarm, you can get away with a clutch dump followed with WOT throttle but ONLY after you get some serious track time on it.
Good luck DC!
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted July 22, 2008 11:36 AM
Yeah, I haven't been to a track yet either. But I've practiced where I can, usually in parking lots or good new subdivision streets with no houses yet. It lugs terribly at lower rpms. I've found revving then feathering at 6 grand works well. I got real aggressive at 8 grand a couple of times and it's a bat out of hell, but still somewhat manageable. I just can't tell if I'm getting the clutch out quick enough, though. Enough to give me a "got off the couch too quick" headrush on some launches, so hopefully not too bad. I did dump the clutch once at around 4 grand and it stood up and showed everybody its belly. Don't think I'll do that again. Also, a couple of HEAVY bar rattles have somewhat clinched the poopchute. Damn that is unnerving. Anyone else have this happen?
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted July 22, 2008 11:41 AM
Nope, no headshakes at all for me. First bike I ever had that didnt do that, and even my TL1000R did that with a steering stabilizer! Of course, I'm a heavy facker. Tends to stabilize the bike akin to my big ass riding a pony- it might WANT TO buck me off, but it aint gonna happen...
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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davej
Expert Class
Posts: 451
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posted July 22, 2008 03:14 PM
Yep, had severe headshake with stock Bridgestone on the front. Went to Michelin front and rear, Pilot Powers, and is now stable and sweet at any speed.
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Triumph guy
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madboost
Expert Class
Posts: 187
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posted July 22, 2008 03:18 PM
you need to leave with that thing between 2-3k, pull your clutch out so it just starts to grab pull it back in just a tad so you have no play, rev up to 2-3 k, twist your wrist on the gas as far forward as you can before you do this so you can grab all of the gas when you need to. Dump the clutch 1/4 way before its completly disingaged and give it about 60% throttle at the same time then slip the clutch the rest of the way while feeding it gas. This method is called stick and slide, practice makes perfect.
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08 zx14-with a few things.
94z28 383,TH400,YSI,9",DFI and much more
9.44@144 w 1.5060ft
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted July 22, 2008 03:25 PM
madboost, sounds like you went to The Jason Miller's StreetBike Seminars!!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted July 22, 2008 04:23 PM
Very interesting madboost. That is some cool technique. I'll have to give it a try and see if I can pull it off. Gonna give it a whirl, DC?
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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DC
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted July 22, 2008 07:49 PM
Just lowered my bike to its lowest setting. Don't have any straps yet. The damn thing feels like it wants to stand up even more. I couldn't get too much practice in because here in Hawaii it rains even in the summer time.
Ooooo.... madboost, I dunno about that stick and slide. I think I tried that once and chickened out half way. The bike bogged and almost died. Almost dropped the damn thing. I guess with your method, you have to either do it or not. There's no halfway.
Thanks Sticks_n_Stones. You got me motivated. Now if I can only find some time away from the wife. Ha! This weekend I'll probably spend a whole day practicing.
smokehouse444. I used to show off dropping the clutch across an intersection during heavy trafic with one of my bikes. Ha! one time I went way too high and paniced. Slamed the rear brakes and my balls have never been the same.
Anyway, thanks guys, for all your advise. Aloha, all the way from Hawaii.
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sj1400
Novice Class
Posts: 96
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posted July 22, 2008 09:09 PM
Smokehouse - DC
Do you all have the stock butterflies in or out ?
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DC
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted July 22, 2008 09:34 PM
Mines are in. Thinking about removing it though. However, thinking maybe I should learn to launch with it in BEFORE I remove it. Dunno. I'm the parking attendant guy so perhaps you should listen to the other guys.
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sj1400
Novice Class
Posts: 96
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posted July 22, 2008 10:26 PM
DC - I took mine out & I actually launch better. I use to bog trerribly with the stock secondaries in place. I use to hate leaving a light or stop sign and no matter how hard I wack there was slow acceleration. I'm no pro but I couldn't stand it. I'm very happy with the flies out.
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DC
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted July 22, 2008 10:37 PM
Well, so far I've only heard good things about taking those things out. I guess I better do mine. Thanks. Thanks to everyone for sharing. Aloha.
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madboost
Expert Class
Posts: 187
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posted July 23, 2008 04:15 AM
I wish ! Unfortenatly i'm stuck at work on Fridays, all my friends go and share stuff, we help each other out. Ive tried just slipping and feeding gas but the stick and slide works better for me.
quote:
madboost, sounds like you went to The Jason Miller's StreetBike Seminars!!!
____________
08 zx14-with a few things.
94z28 383,TH400,YSI,9",DFI and much more
9.44@144 w 1.5060ft
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted July 23, 2008 05:20 AM
sj1400-I still have the flies in mine. I have an 08, and it is my understanding that taking the flies out does not make that big a difference. Apparently it is a much bigger difference with the 06-07 models
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted July 23, 2008 06:13 PM
pull em
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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StrokedOutZX14
Novice Class
Saving for a turbo by tax time
Posts: 55
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posted July 23, 2008 06:27 PM
I have had a lot of bikes, including 2 hayabusa's, the first 5 minutes of owning my zx14 i noticed the clutch right of the bat. It has a true progressive clutch. A hydraulic clutch with a cable feel. Best clutch on a stock bike. Just get used to it. If u have your flies in, first gear the computer stops sudden burst of power.
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07 ZX14 Stroked to 1530cc
Muzzy 5mm Stroker Crank, 86mm JE Pistons, Carillo Connecting Rods, Muzzy Billet Cams, Muzzy Valve Springs, Rings, Pins, Clips.
Muzzy M10 Exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Power Commander 3 With Ignition Module.
Secondaries Removed
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DC
Parking Attendant
Posts: 30
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posted July 23, 2008 07:16 PM
StrokedOutZX14, you mentioned the computer. I have a TRE. Does that make a difference? Anyway, after reading everyone's response I am convinced. I'm pulling those flies. And DAMN IT! Living in paradise does have its price. Third day in a row. Lowered my bike and it showers as soon as I get off work. I'll catch a sunny day yet. Thanks for all your help.
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