Z1OwnersClub GB

can anyone help, I have recently bought a Z900a4 and it will only go into first and then back to neutral. I have removed the clutch and that looks fine no sticky plates but I remember seeing on here something about a spring coming off and was hoping someone could tell me where this could be found. I have not ridden it yet and I know some have said they only go into second when moving but when I had my original one in 76 I was able to select any gear when stationary so im a bit confused why this would be the case. I would be grateful for any help before I have the engine out and total strip down.

thats the way it should be. Positive neutral finder.

as you said - spin the back wheel and it'll go into second.

have a look at the diagram below - parts 40 and 41 specifically. these 3 little ball bearings control this i believe. If these are stuck or removed this feature is removed.

https://images.cmsnl.com/img/partslists/kawasaki-kz900a4-1976-usa-canada-transmissionchange-drum_bigkar103064703_e24d.gif

As Chris says.
There's nothing wrong and you can only get 1st and neutral at a standstill.
Once the transmission is spinning you can get the rest of the gears due to the 3 lockout ball bearings being released centrifugally.
Removal of the ball bearings allows all gears to be selected at a standstill which is a common mod for racing to allow for 2nd gear bumpstarts etc.

thanks for your help its much appreciated. I have now serviced the bike and rode it earlier and yes it is going through the gears so panic over but when I had my one in 76 I read an article somewhere that they could pull away in 5th so like any 17 year old with a new toy I had to try it and I was sure that I selected 5th from a standing position and not by being in motion first, but as that was 47 years ago I can now use my age as an excuse for not remembering exactly what I did ha ha.

chrisu wrote:thats the way it should be. Positive neutral finder.

as you said - spin the back wheel and it'll go into second.

have a look at the diagram below - parts 40 and 41 specifically. these 3 little ball bearings control this i believe. If these are stuck or removed this feature is removed.

https://images.cmsnl.com/img/partslists/kawasaki-kz900a4-1976-usa-canada-transmissionchange-drum_bigkar103064703_e24d.gif

thanks for the help much appreciated

zed1015 wrote:As Chris says.
There's nothing wrong and you can only get 1st and neutral at a standstill.
Once the transmission is spinning you can get the rest of the gears due to the 3 lockout ball bearings being released centrifugally.
Removal of the ball bearings allows all gears to be selected at a standstill which is a common mod for racing to allow for 2nd gear bumpstarts etc.