I often get a clunky sound when I push the bike bike into the garage. It doesn't happen when I push it out of the garage, so I assume there's some property of the chain and sprockets or maybe gearbox output shaft that makes it clunk when rotating backwards. It doesn't seem to be affected by the condition of the chain and sprockets, nor how much freeplay there is on the chain, as I'm sure it has pretty much always done this, and I've had several new sets on the bike since I've had it.

STOP - get off and check that it is infact your bike. Sounds like you accidentally rode off on someone elses Kawasaki.

nige.smith wrote:STOP - get off and check that it is infact your bike. Sounds like you accidentally rode off on someone elses Kawasaki.

Cheeky sod

What I have learned since I finally got some good weather to ride in:

1) ticking seems more pronounced @ idle then when running might be a product of being lean in addition normal sounds
2) the clicking when accelerating doesnt seem to be comming from the chain or the sprocket (teflon lubed)
3) the front brake discs are not the cause of the clicking
4) the clicking happens at certain range of clutch engagement (as i am letting the clutch out)

nige.smith wrote:STOP - get off and check that it is infact your bike. Sounds like you accidentally rode off on someone elses Kawasaki.

I have a GPZ400 that I am restoring, the whole bottom end has exploded. Chunks are missing from the bottom crank case and the whole tranny is siezed from the bits of metal flown into it.....

The ticking is normal valve train noise on these engines, it becomes more pronounced at idle when the coolant nears boiling point. As long as valve clearances are in spec I wouldn't worry about it.

lalalandrus wrote:4) the clicking happens at certain range of clutch engagement (as i am letting the clutch out)

I'm convinced that I've heard this before on my bike too. It doesn't do it now, and to be honest, I can't remember when it was. What I do know is that in the last five years the clutch has been apart twice, including various 'new' parts being taken from a second one to build a better one, plus new plates, new springs and a different arm on the engine case.

I wonder if something is a little 'sticky' in the mechanism, or if possibly the basket is a little notchy and the plates are catching as the lever is released?

You might have a stiff link or two in the chain, even a clean and lubed chain will make a clunkey noise as the stiff parts are bent around the sprockets.

I have a stiff link in my chain, with the rear lifted up and the bike running and in 1st gear watching the sprocket and chain go around, every so often i get a clunk / chain jump becuase of the stiff link.

The noise from the clutch might just be a worn clutch, have you checked it / the basket for wear?

And often it is mostly the chian..

Did anyone find the cause of the clunking?

Im getting very obvious clicking noises on my nc35 too.

This always happens after the bike is very warmed up. I dont hear such noises when the bike is still cold.

Also, i tend to lose power at low RPMs as soon as the clicking starts. Its quite obvious and very annoying because i keep thinking that its something wrong with compression.

The clicking noises tend to follow the RPM at which the engine is running. I.e when its running at higher RPM the clicking noises are alot faster; whens its idle or at low RPM the clicking noises are slower...