KZ440 Belt Drive Acceleration problems.

[danielroca]

Hey I need some help with this one. I have an '82 KZ440 Belt Drive. I've owned the bike since July. Its been running beautifully. No problems of any kind whatsoever. About two weeks ago I layed it out in the rain (This is my primary means of transportation). I wasn't going fast. Maybe 15-20mph coming out of an intersection. It seemed to me all that needed to be fixed were my forks, they got a little twisted in the fall. About a week later my engine oil light has started coming on even though I have a full 3L in there. FRESH. I'm not too worried about that since it continues to run fine. Last weekend I took the time to replace my handlebars. I swapped the stock bars out for a clubman for a cafe racer look. I had to adjust the turn signals and the throttle cable play. This didn't seem to be such a big deal. However NOW my bike has no acceleration whatsoever. It sounds good but there is no acceleration. It takes forever to get it up past 60. I don't know if the oil light and this are interrelated. I'd like to know what might be going on. I feel like its a carb issue but can't be sure. help anyone?

THanks a bunch.

[StarGate]

Not a lot to go on but since according to you the bike "sounds/runs" good just no acceleration, and the fact that you recently replaced the bars and had to deal with the throttle cable, I would first check to make sure that the throttle is opening the carbs all the way.

[Bob Myers1]

ANd then check the front brake to see that it is releasing completely. block it up or have someone help you tilt it over some on the kickstand, spin the front wheel to see that it is free and not binding

[kawpaul]

Also check the clutch to be sure it is releasing all the way.
The oil light may be due to a wire on the sending unit being jarred loose.

[danielroca]

thanks a bunch guys. Its my first bike and all of this helps. I want to keep this baby running smooth. Its only got about 18.000 miles on it. To clarify "running smooth", apart from popping that occurs when she first starts up (which i've read is normal) acceleration from idle to 4,000 rpms is slow. after i hit the 5,000 rpm mark the throttle just jumps up to like 6.5-7,000 without any acceleration at all. It just rev's really high. I have to keep it around 4.900 and gradually work up to 5.500 to get any real speed past 60mph and even then if I try to accelerate it just jumps to 6-7,000 rpms and goes nowhere. I feel like the jet might have gotten clogged during the spill. but that's just guessing.

I'll try the throttle cable in the morning. Thanks again.

[StarGate]

Ah now we get some more info on the problem. That rpm surge is the clutch slipping. Check your adjustment and make sure it's right per service manual. Make sure you have the correct oil in it and not something new you just switched to. If it still has the same problem after that then it's time to open up the clutch and have a look inside.

P.S. If you keep causing that clutch to slip it will require new clutch plates for sure.

[danielroca]

Thanks for the help. The previous owner was suggesting I use 20W-50 oil for the heat around here and he was using Mobile. I figured to continue using that brand. I changed out to a 10W-40 from the motorcycle shop near me. Sure enough the additives in the Mobile oil on top of the 20W-50 were causing the clutch to slip. Thanks for the tip. Saved me from god knows what. Road her today and she was back to her old self again.

[danielroca]

mmm okay update. The clutch cable play also needed some adjustment. Now she's really purring again. Thanks for the noob help.

I have another problem however. When I changed to the clubman handle bars, I had to cut down the turn signals shorter so they would fit. (I plan on changing them out entirely later on). I've done some electircal work before and this really didn't seem like an issue. Well last week the left side turn signals stopped blinking. All the bulbs light up. My right side blinks properly, so I don't think its the relay. could it be a bulb? or a wire? It was working fine for the past month after the handlebar switch. Dont understand.

[kawpaul]

Check the bulbs first.

[danielroca]

no dice. all the lights work. all the bulbs turn on. but niether of my right signals blink. I'm thinking in need a new signal flasher?