3rd Gear

[MadKaw]

I bought mine from the importer Serco (about $45). Most shops can get them in for ya though. You can try other springs like goodridge which are about 10 to 15% heavier than std. I had goodridge springs and they slipped so I went with Barnett springs as they are heavier (longer) again. No probs now.
Check the plates thickness and flatness first and make sure the steel plates are flat. Another tip is to scuff up the steel plates with some rough sand paper or scraping them on a concrete surface, it helps things grip a little better.
Of course this won't help if its the gearbox, but its a good thing to do while its apart..

[MickLC]

OK, thanks Dave

[MickLC]

Anyone in Victoria know anything about "Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers" who are located in Heidelberg? They've given me a price on a second hand gearbox of $550 and I was wondering if they have a reputation either good or bad.

[Wannabe]

Mick, seeing as it is a known problem, do you really want to buy 2nd hand parts for it, just to save a couple of hundred bucks?
You may find yourself having to do it all again in the not too distant future & that would NOT be fun

[hammer]

Hey mick have done the same thing about 6 months ago when i had a c1.
The go is buy a 2000 model gearbox which is a e1 from memory. They have all the same parts(apart from the main shaft,which is longer on the e1) but everything is tougher built,so it will be right after that.
Also ring kawa and tell em you know its a common fault and what will they do about it? I know its a long shot but in the uk and usa they have paid 3/4 of repair costs on alot of bikes(i didnt know this when i did mine so i never tried it)
I payed $550 for a e1 box complete with 12000k on it and it was sweet as afterwards.

Good luck
Stu

[Wannabe]

Sounds like a much better option IMHO. Very interesting information for any ZX9 owners out there. Top job Stu!

[MickLC]

I was having a chat with the financial manager on the weekend and she has given me approval to start planning for a replacement within about 12 months...I just have to keep it going that long.

I haven't checked out the cost of new parts, but after the price of the new footpegs I don't even want to think about it at the moment, it would be more that a couple of hundred bucks though

Is there any hassle fitting the longer mainshaft?

[hammer]

Forget buying new parts,would probably be cheaper to buy a new zx10 .There is way to many parts you will need ie;gears,bears,dogs,shafts,circlips and im sure i have missed a few to.

The longer you have ridden it the more parts will be damaged.The problem is the gears only engage on the ends of the dogs and after awhile they round off putting more load onto the shift forks and then they bend. Within no time the whole box is stuffed depending how hard you ride.

The mainshaft will not fit from a later model but the one in you bike will be fine they are not normally a problem and all new parts will fit on it.

Another word of advice, if you ride it be very very carefull as the gearbox can jam(like mine did) locking the back wheel. Not a nice thing mid corner!(like mine did causing the need for fairing repairs as well.)

Stu

[MickLC]

I've been a bit worried about the risk of the gearbox jamming, particularly 'cause I ride it every day. Luckily I've been offered a mate's bike to look after while he's overseas, I just have to go pick it up. Maybe I should do that sooner rather than later

Thanks for the advice, I will most likely hassle you about more stuff to do with the box as I get into it.

[mrmina]

"Tiggr's" Box Cheers Brett

i thought u said ur bike was a male.

You would think it would be a Tranny then

*whispers* it could be, u never know its brett

[Damon Z1000]

Mick c ,your cd manual will be in the post tommorrow hopefully.

[MickLC]

Thanks mate, much appreciated.

[MickLC]

Here's an update on the gearbox, as you can see below it is definitely the problem that I suspected. Do you like my twin spar Kawasaki pushbike?

[hammer]

Good to see ya into it mate.
Was talkin to the guy i sold my c1 to and well yep gearbox is on its way out He tells me its jamming sometimes between gears.

I was told by heaps people on zx forums and bikes shops it was the fix that worked! Maybe you should disregard everything i said maybe i brought shit second hand gearbox but it looked fine and only had low k`s on it.
I just dont get it! Sorry if i have givin you bullshit info.
You might wanna upgrade soon as you get it back on the road.

Stu

[MickLC]

It's all right mate, I'm doing what I would have done anyway, and I couldn't find an E series box either so it's a C series box that's going back in. I'm enjoying it so far, it's not so scary with the repair manual and a backup mechanic, but the fun bit will be getting it all back together

The plan is keep it going for 12 months and work on replacing it with a new bike. I've never had a brand new bike or car, I'd love to just once. I just have to decide what to get which means lots of test rides