I have the cover off now and it sure seems like this thing should be a little lighter in weight. I see we have a steel plate in there with 3 screws and underneath I guess there is a damper something like the cush drive dampers at the rear sprocket.

The hole in the plate is just for the speed sensor to peek through. Looks like the sensor would function the same without the plate and damper.

What will happen if I take the plate and damper out? Will the bike still run ok?

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/7/2014 @ 6:09 PM *

Keep going. What is behind it? Is it just a noise silencer? Can't tell what is behind the plate so shoot it. As long as nothing internal behind that acts the mount for any torsional movement, do not mess. If it's all stationary, does not move but is just for noise, no harm to the bike. Just noisier at the chain whipping around.

The steel plate is for protection in case your chain breaks, it'll go right thru the aluminum but the steel plate will slow it down enough to save your foot.

IMHO I would leave it alone.

1. Breaks the chain is one assumption.
a. Flies out the back.
b. Wads up and stops no parts damaged.
c. Chain never breaks during service = Lighten the bike up.

2. Hurts the foot is another assumption.
a. Exact
b. Same
c. Scenario = Play the odds lose the weight.

The steel plate is for protection in case your chain breaks, it'll go right thru the aluminum but the steel plate will slow it down enough to save your foot.
IMHO I would leave it alone.

c. Chain never breaks during service = Lighten the bike up.

c. Scenario = Play the odds lose the weight.

I think Rktsled is right. This thing probably does dampen noise (if any noise exists) but its primary function is to reinforce the cover against a chain breaking and whipping out the cover from the inside. The steel plate adds strength and the rubber damper provides additional support by acting as a lightweight cushion that will compress and slow down the expansion of the chain rolling up around the sprocket if the chain should come off or break and end up in the front.

But I'm taking the risk. The chance a chain that is properly adjusted and within service limit coming off is very small.

The damper. plate and screws make up over one third the weight of the part. remove the clutch slave and I'll bet that thing is half the weight of the sprocket cover.

Here we see the inside of the cover without the damper. Not much but I can tell you the stator cover on my busa is no stronger. Not much chance of it scraping in a fall and it doesn't actually cover the engine internals anyway. It's just for rider safety and a place to hang the clutch slave and speed sensor. I guess mine will be half as safe now but another 3/4 lb lighter.

Thanks Rktsled and Hub for input.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/7/2014 @ 6:11 PM *

Well...you may save some weight Rook...but don't be surprised IF you start feeling a weird vibration going on that wasn't there before....just sayin.Kawasaki doesn't do anything without a good reason...not that I've found anyway.They didn't have this on the 07 I had...but it was added for some reason...it is called a....'damper'...I don't think it's there to damp a broken chain whipping around that sprocket.Nor the steel plate(which is very thin anyway).I think the plate and damper work as a vibration mellower...not a sound killer.

They didn't have this on the 07 I had...but it was added for some reason.

Only a test ride will tell if there is an objectionable vibe without the damper. I think it just might slow a chain down if it broke. The plate is morethan just sheet metal. It's fairly strong. The rubber is much softer than other rubber parts. It seems like it may be designed to allow the plate to collapse from pressure and then the rubber slows the chain down to the next level. Hopefully that takes care of the problem before the cover takes enough pressure to burst. If it was a vibe dampener, maybe it would be the harder rubber I've seen like the cush drive dampers.

How about possibly a heat exchanger?IDK.

A heat sink of sorts? I doubt it. I'd think they could use that on the clutch cover a lot more. That gets a lot hotter.

Is there a boot on the H2 like the boot over the engine on the 14? No, not heat, more deadens the noise.
Is there a rubber boot kind of harmonic note out of the chain cover? Yes, noise, no, not heat with rubber baby buggy bump Ears, where the Eat Pea Hey kind of morons telling the factories the tree's leaves are upset you ride past them in the forest.