KikonZX14
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posted August 24, 2009 07:23 AM
 Edited By: KikonZX14 on 24 Aug 2009 15:26
HELP Needed!!! Gears not engaging as desired!
Howdy all, well after 6 months waiting to have all bits and pieces in order to repair my ZX14 and have it Rock'n Roll ready, I'm about to finish the repair process, but I'm a bit concerned.
The accident I had last February was because when I geared down from 3rd to 2nd the gear did not engage well, and when I left the clutch lever free it started to kick from 3rd to 2nd. Well the result you all know......when it reached 2nd the rear wheel locked, I was braking, so it loose adherence and I fell down at almost 100 miles per hour. It certainly was a nice "drag" for both of us, my Baby (ZX14) and I.
So, my concern is in regards of any modifications or specific "tuning" that you Experts might suggest me, so I might avoid kicking the gear "pedal" hard to be sure it went ok in gear. Or am I doomed just to kick it hard? I've been told that this is quite common in regards of Kawasaki gear boxes...... 
Thanks in advance and Very Best Regards all.
Hugs
David
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Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
  
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Shane661
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posted August 24, 2009 07:26 AM
I would look at where your shifter is positioned on the shaft, and make sure you are able to shift down without excessive effort.
Aside from that, it sounds like you might be letting the clutch out at too high of an rpm...or too aggresively.
Shane
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KikonZX14
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posted August 24, 2009 07:34 AM
Thanks Shane, what do you suggest in regards of the clutch out? I was indeed doing it very aggresively, trying to do it as quick as I can......(please bear with me as I'm still in the race track-curving learning process).
when breaking should I release it more slowly so the bike adjusts to the new gear? I've noted that previously when I did the same kinda aggressive clutch/gear down, the rear wheel did chimmings.
Hugs,
David
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Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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Shane661
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posted August 24, 2009 07:37 AM
I am no roadracing guy...but generally if you want the downshift to be as smooth as possible you might quickly "blip" the throttle between gears. You need to match wheel and engine speed. Perhaps someone else can explain it better than I.
As with doing anything quickly, you need to be smooth and controlled.
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NINJA12
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posted August 24, 2009 07:46 AM
Not a roadrace guy either.
Why do you need to downshift to second when going that fast?
Let that KAW eat!
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Shane661
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posted August 24, 2009 07:49 AM
quote:
Not a roadrace guy either.
Why do you need to downshift to second when going that fast?
Let that KAW eat!
He is probably tying to set up to his corner entrance, and accelerate out of the turn in 2nd. Just a guess. Like I said, match road speed and engine rpm. You can downshift at high rpm...if you follow that rule. Practice it at lower speeds, though!
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KikonZX14
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posted August 24, 2009 07:49 AM
Hi Ninja12, I had to because I was ending a straight (donwhill) and facing the entrance of a tight curve......
Hugs,
David
____________
Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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KikonZX14
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posted August 24, 2009 07:51 AM
Right on Shane, that was the idea behind the down shift. By blip you mean a short acceleration?
Hugs,
David
____________
Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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Shane661
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posted August 24, 2009 07:52 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 24 Aug 2009 15:57
quote:
Right on Shane, that was the idea behind the down shift. By blip you mean a short acceleration?
Hugs,
David
Yes, a very quick and slight snap of the wrist to bring the revs in line with the wheel speed. try it at lower speeds and see how smooth you can make the shift. Practice is the key...
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KikonZX14
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posted August 24, 2009 07:55 AM
Thanks Shane, as soon as I have my Baby up and running will start practicing it.
Hugs,
David
____________
Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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Shane661
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posted August 24, 2009 07:57 AM
Since you are interested in this kind of riding/racing, I suggest some reading material. There are some good books by Keith Code. There is also a very good one by Nick Ienatsch. I have them all on my shelf! 
It is good to know the theory, then you can apply and practice it!
Shane
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BobC
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posted August 24, 2009 08:21 AM
David, it worrys me when I read that you "kick" the gear lever to change down. Please tell me that's just an expression, or do you really kick the lever? If you do it's the fastest way to bend the selector forks and then you will have trouble changing gears.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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KikonZX14
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posted August 24, 2009 05:44 PM
Thanks Shane, Twist of the Wrist series...yep I will buy them as soon as I get paid  good tip Sir!
Hi BobC, it's just an expression. I kinda step on it, but I jmust recognize that I did it like...quickly tapping it down, maybe that's why it didn't engage well. Definitively gotta work hard on my gear down skills and according Shane's advice.
Hugs,
David
____________
Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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