Page 1 of 3
Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:47 am
by MillaMeter
Hi, I'm new here.
I currently own a ZXR400 L2 1992 with 38000km on the clock and since I bought her I've had nothing but problems. Now I know these bikes can run sweet and very fast because the bike did run perfect for about 2 days then started playing up.
Problem 1:- I don't know if anyone has had this problem before but when I start my bike, the bike is happily what sounds to be idling at 1300rpm? but the rev counter is reading 4000rpm??????
Problem 2:- There seems to be a rattle in the engine which I was told could be the cam chain. now the bike has only done 38000km, would the cam chain really be gone after that many km? Also, where the fook is the cam chain tensioner??
Problem 3:- Now I know where abouts this problem is coming from but dunno how to solve it, there's a rattle coming from the clutch which I can only hear at about 1500rpm, anything above and the rattle goes. The rattle also goes when I pull in the clutch. I was told this could be down the to clutch basket worn and the plates are rattling in the grooves of the basket.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Richard
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:14 am
by cargo
Problem 1...gawd knows very weird
Problem 2. The cam chain tensioner lives on the right side just below the ignition pick up cover. It is bolted to the engine with 2 bolts that also hold the clutch cable bracket. The cam chain tensioner is automatic in it normal operation and needs to be properly reset if you remove it or the spring holding bolt. Be very carful if you do touch it getting it wrong can cause serious damage.
I'd be surprised if you cam chain is worn out at 38000Km but it could be...............or the tensioner is faulty/broken or maybe it's the tensioner blade or camchain guides that are broken.
problem 3.....yes clutches rattle in some cases they do it a lot and it could well be wear on the basket...........having said that I've heard some really noisy ones that work just fine
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:31 am
by MillaMeter
Thanks for the quick reply
I was thinking of taking the bike to a garage today to try and get these problems sorted out.
If some clutches rattle, then I guess I'll just have to learn to ignore it, or replace the basket and see it that helps. Trouble is, where to get a new zxr400 clutch basket from?
I'd hate to think what's happened to the tensioner, I asked a local bike shop and they said my cam chain could of jumped a tooth making my bike sound loud and sluggish.
Any other feedback would be great!
Thanks
Richard
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:01 am
by rover220
problem one is dead battery.
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:04 am
by MillaMeter
rover220 wrote:problem one is dead battery.
Even if the battery is kicking out 13volts? I checked it on Monday.
Cheers.
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:02 am
by RedexRobB
Welcome to the forum.
Yeah the rev counter is usually caused by a dead battery, sounds weird but a few members have had it in the past and even tho it seems to be fine they change it and the rev counter problem goes away.
Clutch is the typical zxr rattle, caused by a plate in the clutch apparently. Another member (chavyboy) here had a well noisy clutch, he had it changed under warranty, it was quiet for a bit then got just as noisy again.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5282&p=42095&hilit= ... tle#p42095
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:07 am
by masterofinsanity
Hi Richard, welcome to the forum, regards the clutch see this thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5282&st=0&sk=t&sd=a ... tch+plates
i'd go with others regards the dead battery, have you tried another battery or connecting some jump leads to it and see what happens then?
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:42 am
by cargo
Best place for new Kawasaki parts is Cradley Kawasaki
They have never failed me and next day delivery is normal and I'm in Nothern Ireland
http://www.cradleykawasaki.co.uk/
RING 01384 633455 FOR SAME DAY DESPATCH
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:07 pm
by MillaMeter
Wow... thanks for the replys guys
I'll get another battery fitted at some point this week! Weird how my battery is reading 12 volts and it still fooks up the bike.
I've also book marked that website.
Am I reading this website right? £100 for a genuine kawasaki fuel tank?
Thanks
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:13 pm
by masterofinsanity
Cradley are the bees knees mate been there myself many times, very helpful staff, i think they are depleting their stock of zxr400 items hence the ridiculous sale prices.
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:50 pm
by MillaMeter
masterofinsanity wrote:Hi Richard, welcome to the forum, regards the clutch see this thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5282&st=0&sk=t&sd=a ... tch+plates
i'd go with others regards the dead battery, have you tried another battery or connecting some jump leads to it and see what happens then?
Thanx for the welcome masterofinsanity.
Anyone here in Hertfordshire that could give me a jump or lend me a spare battery?
Thanks.
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:55 am
by RedexRobB
Im over in Hatfield mate at uni, could possibly get over to you at some point in the next couple of days. Ive got a Halfords charger if you wanna borrow that, if you got jump leads can jump it off my 7R, the battery is new too

Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:01 pm
by MillaMeter
Yeah that sounds great!
I tried charging my battery with my bros halfords charger but the rev counter still goes all spasticated

Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:42 pm
by RedexRobB
Well you can give the battery off my 7R a go, like i say its brand new too. Checked all the earths??
Re: Couple of problems...
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:20 pm
by MillaMeter
RedexRobB wrote:Well you can give the battery off my 7R a go, like i say its brand new too. Checked all the earths??
I don't know where they all are to be honest, the only 1 i know is the 1 next to the fuel pump.