'84 KZ550-F2 Transmission or Clutch?

[84_KZ550_NewB]

'84 KZ550-F2 Shaft Driven

Well spring is approaching and I want to start working on it now
Here is the story. Right before storing the bike for winter, I took the bike to the gas station to fill it up. When I pulled out of the gas station I was going about 10-20mph in first gear just moving along and I decided to go hard on the throttle. As soon as I did that, it revved up and started to go then, BAM, i heard a "clinking" sound and I had no movement. I tried ALL gears and nothing. The bike wouldn't do anything. The engine ran fine but I just wasn't going anywhere. When I tried to put it in other gears and let the clutch out, I heard some "clunking" noise or something.

Now before this, when I got the bike, sometimes when I was going 30-40mph behind slow cars and I would drop down to 3-4th gear and hit the throttle but sometimes when I hit the throttle, the engine would REV UP first then then finally the "clutch" or the bike would catch and it would take off. Now I was thinking it might be the clutch that went out? I hope!!!!

Now my question is, do you think I broke the transmission or do you think the clutch is just finally worn out? I hope its the clutch cause I don't want to take the motor off the frame and split the transmission or engine case. I might just take it to a shop to that, if it comes to that.

Help?

[84_KZ550_NewB]

no one?

[oldcoldankles]

I ride a 1983 KZ550 shaft drive. Sometimes mine will slip out of 1st gear but is OK after I shift it back into 1st. If your clutch is slipping you would usually notice it in 6th rather than 3rd or 4th. It's possible that your shaft plines are badly worn. Have your shaft splines been greased and how many miles has the bike gone?

[84_KZ550_NewB]

I'm sure its not the shaft driven part of the bike. I'm going to take of the tranny cover tomorrow and the cover for the transmission where the shift gear lever and all the other stuff is and see if anything else is broken in there. The bike has I think 14 or 15K miles on it.

[oldcoldankles]

That's very low mileage for these bikes, hopefully it is something simple like clutch cable adjustment. Best of luck and keep us posted.

[84_KZ550_NewB]

Has anyone repaired a transmission on these bikes before or on any similar bike? Is it worth the work? Cause I called a shop to get an estimate price and was told the minimum would be at least $1800. I can just use that much to get a newer running bike.

[gleasonja]

Hi!

I just bought a 1984 KZ550 LTD Shaft drive and was looking around the internet and found your posts. I just took the MSF course last weekend as I am a brand new motorcycle rider! How have you made out with the bike? I hope all is well!

Regards,
Jeff