z50r clacking

[sflymotoc]

Hello all. I am new to the z 50 world, and I wondered if anyone here would know the cause of a problem I am having with my 86 z50r.
Everything is fine in the first 2 gears, then when i hit 3rd the tranny starts making a clacking noise. there is no real loss of power or stuttering in power delivery. I believe I have eliminated the possibility of chain jumping on the sprocket. It doesnt lose performance, and I don't really need 3rd, as I am teaching my 7 yr old to ride in 1st, with a slide stop in the carb, but this will not last long. He LOVES that bike. I would like to see if anyone can give some insight. Like to know where to look when i tear it down this winter. Anyone?

[Miniac]

Third gear only? A busted drive gear is the most likely culprit. On that vintage Z50 the kickstarter gear disengages from third gear when the kickstart lever returns, so the kickstarter mechanism is a lot less likely to be the problem. Looks like case splittin' time. At least it's not too tough, as long as you have a manual and the appropriate tools. And all the PMTers to lean on for encouragement.

-kevin

[sflymotoc]

you think missin a tooth and just making noise? doesnt seem to slip.
Damn I hate crackin cases! Any real differences in the z50 trannys (cam chain era) in case i buy a donor motor?

[Miniac]

All Z50s are pretty much the same, transmission-wise. (But don't confuse them with the QA50s, . . . that's a whole other beast.) Just swap the gear cluster as a set to be safe. If the noise is nice and regular it's probably missing a tooth. Have you changed the oil since the noise started? If not, drain your oil through a screen and look for chunks. If you find a gear tooth you'll know for sure.

-kevin

[sflymotoc]

thanks kevin