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Author Topic: 1st gear  (Read 3945 times)

Offline F-106

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1st gear
« on: February 17, 2012, 01:36:04 PM »
I have had this bike now for a year. Can someone tell me the secret to getting this bike into 1st gear without the large clunk I get. I have got it to go in smooth by pulling the clutch in to the grip and slowly pressing down on the lever. However, this always does not work. I talked to other C-10 owners and they all tell me it is just the bike and not to worry. Any thoughts?
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Offline George R. Young

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2012, 01:52:25 PM »
Before starting the engine, stick it in first, clutch in, and push it a few feet to free up the clutch plates.
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Offline timsatx

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2012, 03:01:59 PM »
What, every single time or just in the morning? Mine clunks into first all the time.
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Offline jim snyder

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2012, 03:27:46 PM »
Tim, you may try turning the idle down that will make the clunk a little less clunky.
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Offline Outback_Jon

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2012, 03:38:09 PM »
Quote from: F-106 on February 17, 2012, 01:36:04 PM
I talked to other C-10 owners and they all tell me it is just the bike and not to worry. Any thoughts?
It is fairly common on wet-clutch bikes.  At least for the first time you put it in gear.  The oil tends to hold the plates together a bit, even though the clutch lever is pulled.

I just let it clunk and don't spend any time worrying about it.
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Offline Two Skies

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2012, 07:31:36 AM »
When I went to Kawasaki's ticket to ride event here locally last year, I participated in two of the group rides.  I rode the Ninja 1000 and the ZG-14 Concours.

It was amusing to hear all the bikes go 'clunk' and lurch forward very slightly almost in unison, when we were given the cue and all shifted into first gear from neutral, regardless of the exact model.  It's a Kawi thing, apparently.

I have that nagging worry about breaking a tooth off a gear or something when the clunk happens, but as I haven't read of anyone here shearing off teeth on a regular basis, with 150,000 miles plus on some of these bikes, apparently the transmission is built to take this.   I've read about a few final drive hutch gears being sheared off/stripped every now and then, though, but that seems to happen while riding, not while parked...
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Offline mike25

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2012, 08:05:22 AM »
Pulling in the clutch, and giving it a couple of quick revs will
break the clutch plates loose, before putting it in gear.
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Offline So Cal Joe

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2012, 10:50:56 AM »
I think it will always CLUNK going into first, as just about every other bike wil. Not a big deal.
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Offline F-106

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2012, 03:54:25 PM »
THANKS GUYS FOR YOUR REPLIES. I do not think this is a big deal so i will not worry. However I know sometimes not asking a question can cost you money!!
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2012, 06:34:48 AM »
I've had three Kwaks (Voyager XII, C10, C14), they all clunk.
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Offline throb

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2012, 03:49:03 AM »
Several years ago I had a Triumph Bonneville...trust me, the clunk/lurch Connie makes on a shift into first is nothing compared to what this bike did.  Not certain if it was clutch material, configuration or the oil (Triumph synthetic), but man, you almost got whiplash!
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Offline Furbo

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2012, 05:25:02 AM »
Buy a Moto Guzzi, mid 90's or before. Ride it around for a month. You'll never notice the Connie Clunk again... :thumbs:
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Offline mjrfd99

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Re: 1st gear
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2012, 05:42:52 AM »
IMHO synthetic oil makes the clunk much less than w/regular oil.
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