Neutral problems while running

[DeadPunch]

I'm having troubles getting into Neutral (translation, I can't) after I come to a stop at a light or something.  If I hit the kill switch, for some reason I can get the bike into Neutral without a problem.  It's only when it's been running that I can't get it into Neutral.  The Buddha did just hook me up with a slick carb rejetting (which I would recommend to everyone) and everything runs great, but I can only think that I might have f'd up the clutch cable assembly installment.  But if that was the case, then it would ALWAYS have that problem and not just when running.  Basically, I'm fairly new and I'm lost.   

Thoughts?

[Chanse]

a shot in the dark, but did your check your clutch free play? I dunno

[fred]

Double check your clutch cable tension. Also, it can be hard to shift the bike when it isn't moving, have you tried rocking back and forth a bit? Sometimes you just need to move a bit to shift. You might not notice it in other gears because you're shifting when you're moving. Also, typically going into neutral while at a light isn't the best of ideas, you really should keep it in gear so you can get moving quickly if you need to. You wouldn't want to get rear ended because you couldn't get it back into first when the light turned green..

[Roadstergal]

It's easier to hit neutral before you come to a stop, or when the bike isn't running.

But as per above - I keep it in gear at a light.  I want to be ready to move if I have to.

[ohgood]

I'm having troubles getting into Neutral (translation, I can't) after I come to a stop at a light or something.  If I hit the kill switch, for some reason I can get the bike into Neutral without a problem.  It's only when it's been running that I can't get it into Neutral.  The Buddha did just hook me up with a slick carb rejetting (which I would recommend to everyone) and everything runs great, but I can only think that I might have f'd up the clutch cable assembly installment.  But if that was the case, then it would ALWAYS have that problem and not just when running.  Basically, I'm fairly new and I'm lost.   

Thoughts?

Is your oil level correct ? Make sure, overfilled oil will cause shifting into/out of 1st problems.

Was it too high ? No ? OK, procede:



Adjust your cable tension proper:

Loosen at the lever completely.

Loosen at the case, completely if you like.

Remove the "D" shaped cover for the push rod adjuster on the case. (two phillips head screws hold it on)

Loosen the lock nut on the adjuster screw.

Turn screw OUT 1/2 a turn or so.

Turn screw IN until you feel resistance.

Turn screw OUT 1 1/2 to 2 turns, lock the lock nut.

Adjust the cable (at the case and at the lever) until you like how it feels at the lever.

Replace the "D" cover and two screws, use some blue loctite or nail polish on the two screws so they'll be there next time you look

Hope it helps.

[DeadPunch]

I'll give all these ideas a whirl this weekend.  We're launching a new video game at work and things are a bit ridiculous around here right now and then add on top of that that I'm moving in 3 days....well, I'm screwed for time.   

[bikejunkie223]

I was having trouble finding neutral when it was running, and once I changed my oil it was easy to find again like when it was new, of course it still is new really, only 1 summer on it but nearly 4000 miles....anyway- fresh oil fixed mine.

[GeeP]

Sounds like you need to check your clutch lever freeplay and clutch actuator adjustment.  If the clutch drags it will be difficult to get into neutral.

Don't put it in neutral at lights.  Remain in first with your head on a swivel!  You never know when or where you might have to zip off to avoid being rammed in the butt.  I suggest stopping to the far right or left of the vehicle in front of you.  If things go down, zap up the line of traffic and let the poor cagers absorb the impact.

[Skeets]

Can I add that revving the engine also will help? It seems if I rev it, it like releases it or something. IDK why but it works.

[Danny500]

I'm gonna kind thread-jack here, but sorta answer the question too.

I find that my bike pops into N easier on the down shift than up from 1 while coasting/cruising to a stop. @ the stop light from N shifting down to 1 I may need to feather the clutch out a bit for it to catch. Then, once accelerating from stop I sometimes hit N instead of 2nd.

I'm pretty sure it's just me, but I find that just fiddling with the clutch settings had helped out a lot. I remember on my old Honda neutral was nearly impossible to find because the shifter forks were nearly gone and the clutch didn't have much left to it. Solution was I had to set the cable a wee bit tighter... by wee bit, I mean the grab point was less than a finger off the bars. Then it found N about 70 percent of the time rather than 5.

Could be anything... what color's your oil normally? If you're in the brown.. time for a change. Also, visually inspect your clutch discs via the oil fill/dipstick bolt. See how much pad's left.

Dan