Getting into gear….

[Ned Flanders]

Or not in this case.
I’m finding it increasingly difficult to get the bike from neutral to first gear. This happens under all conditions, from startup to fully warm. I’ve ‘developed’ the following technique to engage gear, pull clutch in, count to three and depress gear lever, which generally worked. Yesterday I pulled up at red traffic lights and my three second technique failed, however, the road was a slight downhill and as I released the brake and the bike moved forward she slipped into gear. I’ve since repeated this by just gently pushing the bike forwards (couple of cm) as I depress the gear lever, and it seems to work Ok.
Anyone had similar gear selection problem, know what’s ‘wrong’, or is it that “they all do that sir”.
Thanks in advance.

Regards

Tim

 

[Gecko]

Get down on your hands and knees and take a good stiff brush and some warm soapy water to the gear linkage mechanism . Then dry it off and be generous with the WD40. Often it is just road crud building up on the linkage mechanism - nothing more sinister unless you are one of the unlucky few whose gearbox is about to go bang

 

[Deleted account W]

Try keeping a steady presure on the gear lever while letting the clutch out slowly. Mine does this and this works everytime, it kind of clunks into 1st gear.

 

[Ned Flanders]

..... - nothing more sinister unless you are one of the unlucky few whose gearbox is about to go bang

Just rushed down to the garage, it looks pretty clean but I've washed and WD40'd it.

...few whose gearbox is about to go bang Christ I hope you're joking.

Regards

Tim

 

[richie]

Try keeping a steady presure on the gear lever while letting the clutch out slowly. Mine does this and this works everytime, it kind of clunks into 1st gear.

Totaly agree, 50000 Miles, been doing this since I bought it at 10000

 

[Ned Flanders]

Try keeping a steady presure on the gear lever while letting the clutch out slowly. Mine does this and this works everytime, it kind of clunks into 1st gear.

I'll try that. Thanks.
Mines always been a bit of a clunker too.

Regards

Tim

 

[jimbo]

I fing if I clutch and go straight for first I get a rather embarrasing clunk.
Clutch and brief pause and it snicks in.
Clutch and long pause and forget it - neutrals where its going to stay!
As Watton & richie said, just easing the clutch and it drops in.

I just assumed it was character, don't they all do that sir?

 

[Wikkus]

I’ve ‘developed’ the following technique to engage gear, pull clutch in, count to three and depress gear lever, which generally worked.

Okely-dokely!

Whatever works for you, chap.


Mine's been like this from new albeit with a brief excursion back to the dealership with seized gearbox selector-shaft bushings ("They all do that, sir"), so, as others say, clean and protect said bushings and Robert's yer muvva's bruvva.

My "technique" is usually only applicable whilst the engine is cold (say, less than four bars on the RID). It's similar to yours, but differs in that I find it goes in best when the clutch is not fully engaged or disengaged; pull the clutch in fully, stomp the pedal, find it won't go in, slowly let the lever out whilst keeping pressure on the pedal; ker-lunk, thar she blows!

Shortly after I took delivery, I mentioned this little bit of "character" and its dissimilarity to the sprots-bikes I've favoured for the last few years, to a friend of mine who's had his early 1150GS for some years.

"Oh yeah," he said, "it's quite normal - they are, after all, quite agricultural in their nature!". His solution was, as mentioned here already, to hold the lever in position until the clutch is fully out, IYSWIM. Works for me.


Rgds, Rik.

 

[Marty]

Quirky box altogether

Similar 'trait' to report here - often after starting does not appear to go into 1st when depressing lever. Found that a slight rock back and forth of the bike sorts it out straight away. Only had the bike for a month but can't say that this quirk has given me any cause for concern (unless me gearbox goes bang of course).

Another quirk I've found is that gear changes are much smoother when depressing and releasing the clutch and almost feeling the next gear in as the revs match. Doesn't appear to take too kindly to any of that short shifting malarky that I got away with on the Daytona.

Again this doesn't bother me either - just look at it as getting to know the little blighter's character a bit better.

 

[rocks]

Me too..

My beast does the same..
When i first get it out of the garage.. it sometimes is really reluctant to go into gear.. first or second..

Havent tried cleaning the gear mechanism joints.. so will try that..
But once my bike has warmed up a bit its not normally a problem..
I will try the rocking the bike forward and back.. I recall having a similar problem with my old 600Bandit.

 

[littleredrooster]

The reason

Unlike almost any other bike, BM's use a (dry) diaphragm clutch just like a car. This means that, when the clutch lever is pulled in, the gearbox shafts stop almost immediately because there is no 'drag' from the oil within the clutch. On other bikes, the gearbox shafts will continue to rotate because of this drag. And, before you ask, cars do not have this trait because they have synchromesh gearboxes, not constant-mesh dog-boxes. (Do a Google search if you want more info - it's too late and I've had too much beer!)

If the shafts are stationary and have two opposing 'dogs' rather than a dog and a slot with which to mesh, the gear will not engage and will require re-alignment of the dogs/slots - i.e. letting the clutch out or rolling the bike slightly.


Therefore, the technique is to pull the clutch and IMMEDIATELY (but gently) prod the gear lever. Works every time, but often produces a mild 'clunk'. If you find this clunk offensive, try riding anything with a Honda badge - they is ten times worse.