Tranny Problem

[Lardoggy]

I tried to search on this question but didn't find anything, so here goes. I've only had my bike for about 5 weeks now and have put maybe 350 miles on it. This past weekend I was on it for about 4 hours on Saturday and a handful of times I had difficulty shifting out of Neutral and into First at a traffic signal/stop. I would push down on the shifter and the green Neutral light would flicker but stay green, couldn't sense the "click" that normally accompanies the change of gear either. A couple of kicks down would yield the same result until I would finally really give it a solid kick down and it would finally go into gear. I kinda hate to feel like I'm forcing it into gear, but I also hate the stress of being in traffic and not being able to get the bike in gear and go!

Anyone else experience this? I've read where too much or too little oil could be a problem with shifting. I was told the bike had fairly fresh oil in it when I bought it, but I'm thinking an oil change might not be a bad idea. Maybe there's an issue with the clutch? I don't really have any problems shifting into other gears (although I have had an occasional problem getting to neutral)

[SVSRyder]

Tranny's rarely give me problems. I simply tell them I am upset that they tricked me and that i am not interested in anything between his legs... and generally they leave me alone.

[racinteach]

It happens from time to time usually you just roll the bike up a bit and it should click right in...it ( the trans) are usually caught between teeth or something like that ...

[agirls]

YES. I had that problem when I bought my bike used. I drove it for several months like that and would just hold the clutch in at lights... and traffic. Made for a very sore hand. After a hellish drive through LA, I took it to someone. They tried to adjust my clutch cable, but it was too stretched out. Replaced the cable and problem solved. After a year, it has started to do it occasionally, so I just give it a little push and drop it into gear while it is rolling. I need to bust out the manual and learn how to adjust the cable!

Not sure if that is your problem, but that is what my problem was.

[tmonroe]

1. Don't force the transmission.
2. Next time this happens, try rolling your bike forward slowly while pressing down lightly on the shifter - it will probably go into gear (make sure you keep the clutch squeezed in).

Your transmission will loosen up with time, but really, I would consider leaving the bike in 1st gear, and not shifting to neutral while stopped at a light.

Using good quality oil (esp synthetic) should help as well... I also noticed shifting was noticeably smoother after an oil change (using just dino oil).

[agirls]

P.S. I know how to adust it at the handle, but that is done for. Need to go down to the other end to adjust now, so no smart ass how to's.

[racinteach]

ok I'll keep my mouth shut...

[smokescreen]

My tranny's attitude changes with the oil I use also... The Valvoline M/C Spec Dino oil made it a bitch to shift. The Mobil1 syn works great, both M/C spec and car spec... In fact theres so little difference between the performance of the two, that I just stick with the car spac and save $3 per quart.

[agirls]

Originally posted by racinteach
ok I'll keep my mouth shut...

That was not meant for you, but for the peanut gallery! :D


Hmmm, as to the oil, I used dino oil at the last oil change. I got some synthetic for my next oil change. Need to get it done to see if that helps with shifting. Never thought about the oil. I figured oil is oil and it should just shift.

[smokescreen]

The oil baths the clutch plates, and lubes the tranny.. It has virtually everything to do with your tranny..

[Lardoggy]

Thanks for the feedback guys and the rolling it forward tip....I actually think I may heard that one in the past. If the problem persists I may have that cable checked out.

Originally posted by SVSRyder
Tranny's rarely give me problems. I simply tell them I am upset that they tricked me and that i am not interested in anything between his legs... and generally they leave me alone.

This is also very sage advice :D

[zzzwillzzz]

i'll second the mobil 1. my bike shifts much better with it. and i use the car stuff

[sandie]

also try releasing your clutch a tiny bit while shifting into 1st

[asdfbeau]

this always happens to me...it's great when you split up to a light, and take off in 2nd gear (or kill the bike); anyway, you're not alone.

I just do what they said: roll it forward a bit and give it a firm stomp. I'm sure you can also tell that you're not in 1st because N has a bit more give to it, when you push on the shifter.

I've also noticed that my bike doesn't do this when I downshift a couple of gears before pulling up to a stop; it will always do it when I just pull the clutch in and coast to a stop.

[acer66]

sometime i can`t get shift out of neutral into first, if that happens i let the clutch go again and rev her up a little while in neutral, than i have no problem getting into first, thinking about it i have the habit now to give her just a little rev in neutral all the time

[sr9004u]

I have no problem with trannies.. As long as they mind there own business I mind mine and let them be.

What?

Oh transmission Thats different

Try 1 down and 5 up that might work in all but the most extreme cases

[panick]

the bracket at the bottom where the adjustment is made (it's behind a plastic cover) can be loose...check it! while there adjust the cable too. doubtful if the transmisson has a problem. new bike = cable stretch and possible tightening of some nuts and bolts. hope this helps.
cheers