some clutch and trans questions

[Omahastylin16]

hey guys and girls, i havent been on for quite a while cause ive been lacking a computer. Id like to ask yall a couple questions about my trans and clutch since ive had some problems with both in the weeks before putting her away for the winter.

Late september I was on my 01 Kawi ZX-9 on my way home from a days worth of riding with some friends. Coming off of the onramp onto the highway i accelerated through the gears as i usually would and when I shifted into 6th gear and released the clutch lever there was a horrible grinding sound for a split second and it felt like the bike was either in neutral or the clutch was still engaged because the motor just spun up freely with a minimal amount of throttle. Well I immediately pulled over and with the clutch engaged the shifter would not move at all. I panicked a bit and slammed my boot hard on the shifter and that freed it up. I continued on my way and havent had any problem with it since. I looked through my motor oil when at the next oil change and didnt notice and fragments of metal. Any idea what this could have been? perhaps it just wasnt all the way into the gear when i released the clutch?

My next question is a bit simpler. My clutch is feeling very soft lately and the clutch lever has a lot of play to it. I'm thinking of replacing the clutch plates(is that right?), the clutch and brake cables, and both levers. I'm hoping to do it all myself, but I'm not sure what parts and specialty tools I would need for the clutch. If I did take this work to a shop, what do you all think I'd be looking at for a price.

Thank you to anyone who makes it through this whole post and can give me some advice

[Veefer97]

If the clutch is not slipping leave it alone. You need to adjust cable freeplay on the round knob at the clutch lever so you have 1/8" free play of cable

[768-Ryda]

if your haveing to adjust your clutches now then if i was u i would be saving some $$$ for a new set soon

[Mister Tee]

Regarding the first question, that's a "false neutral" where, due to a botched shift, neither 5th or 6th are engaged, and it makes a horrible chattering sound.

[Omahastylin16]

Originally Posted by 768-Ryda

if your haveing to adjust your clutches now then if i was u i would be saving some $$$ for a new set soon

see this is what i was thinking, it just doesnt seem to be nearly as snappy as it used to be, very soft

[Omahastylin16]

Originally Posted by Mister Tee

Regarding the first question, that's a "false neutral" where, due to a botched shift, neither 5th or 6th are engaged, and it makes a horrible chattering sound.

so this isnt a sign of any major damage?

[serpentracer]

Originally Posted by Omahastylin16

so this isnt a sign of any major damage?

I agree with mister tee. I've done it a few times by accident but in other gears.
got to learn to push the shifter up or down all the way, combined with your clutch cable needing adjusted, I'd say thats all it was.

if the lever is getting easier to pull, maybe it's you getting stronger or the clutch springs are getting soft.

[Omahastylin16]

Originally Posted by Veefer97

If the clutch is not slipping leave it alone. You need to adjust cable freeplay on the round knob at the clutch lever so you have 1/8" free play of cable

so the clutch lever should have some play to it? right now it feels loose. Its one of those crappy fake carbon fiber plastic ones that the previous owner put on, but it will move in just about any direction up and down or in and out before it even comes close to putting tension on the cable. Ive been able to ride with it alright, but it just doesnt feel right