Clutch or Transmission?

[Zethioth]

Hey guys, I've never owned anything with a clutch before, so I wanted to ask if these issues are clutch related, transmission related, or both.

The bike is hard to shift through gears if it's not rolling. If I shift into neutral at a stop for a long time, 4 times out of 5 I have to roll the bike forward or backwards while applying pressure to get it into first. Also, every now and then when I shift from first to second, the bike will go into neutral, and thus a loud revving occurs and everything is looking at the jackass who thinks hes on a 1000cc supersport.  (I find neutral more while riding it than when I try to start it up)

I'm still a new rider, but I am sure I'm giving the bike a nice shift from 1st -> 2nd when neutral comes up from nowhere, but who knows, it could be me. 

My bike has 42k on it.

[mustangGT90210]

Sounds like just beginner issues and not mechanical! The transmission is made to be shifted with the front sprocket turning, so having to roll a little so it drops in gear is normal. You'll get a feel for it soon, don't worry

And as far as hitting neutral, just make sure pull the level ALL the way up to be sure. None of that kick it halfway stuff. I've missed 2nd a couple times, but thankfully haven't found the rev limiter. Once again, the more you ride, the more you'll know exactly what movements to make. 6 months and 5,000 miles into my GS, I know what the things gonna do

[jacob92icu]

Bikes are made to be in motion when switching gears, so rocking it back and forth is very normal to get it into first, neutral, etc... Now the fact that you cant get from 1st to 2nd  without stopping at neutral could possibly be your clutch slipping/getting old. It all sounds normal and you have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you really kick the $$$$ out of it to get it into second, some bikes are naturally like that.

[BockinBboy]

Check your oil. If you have too much oil, you will have trouble shifting and hit false neutrals. Be sure to check your oil after the bike has warmed up a little and on the center stand. This is a widely accepted method; however, various ways have been debated. Just know the bike needs to be upright when you check it because if its filled to full line while on the side stand, then it will be overfilled on center and even more once the bike is warm.

- Bboy

[OldTwinzNeverDie]

The bike is hard to shift through gears if it's not rolling. If I shift into neutral at a stop for a long time, 4 times out of 5 I have to roll the bike forward or backwards while applying pressure to get it into first.
My bike has 42k on it.

Thoughts:
You need to make sure your clutch is adjusted properly. There should be a small amount of "free play" (slack) at the handlebar clutch lever before it starts to pull the cable. If there is too much free play the clutch will not fully engage which will cause the transmission to be difficult to shift when the bike is not moving. If there is *no* free play in the cable it is possible for the cable to be slightly disengaging the clutch, which could cause it to slip, but that does not sound like your issue.

Also, don't ask me how I know this, but if you don't have the bolts on the engine (aka countershaft) sprocket cover tight enough, the bolts can (and will) loosen up over time and you will gradually lose your clutch engagement making the transmission nigh on impossible to shift when the bike is not rolling.
I am not suggesting you over-tighten them, they're pretty small diameter and easily stripped I would imagine. It's possible mine were only finger-tight. I'm usually pretty good about such things, but I could have had a "senior moment"!

I've followed your posts about the repairs on your bike...good job! Reminds me of my early years with motorcycles...I learned to work on them as a matter of financial necessity mostly.

How different things are nowadays in terms of readily available info. Much of what I learned was trial and error and  sometimes that meant expensive mistakes. A lot of mistakes can be avoided by simply  being *patient* and *thinking* before doing something stupid. I think that gets easier with age! I don't do "hurry". When I start getting stressed I just walk away and come back the next day. Sorry, not getting "preachy", just trying to share what little I can!

Hang in there!
Hube



There isn't a whole lot of travel in the clutch mechanism