THAT GEAR CHANGE CRUNCH

[CONDORPILOT]

Over and above the usual noises when changing gear on my '99 1100,37k, I notice that the gearchange can be pretty rough when going from 2nd to 3rd.Its the only change where it feels that the clutch has been made redundant and feels, as it was described in a recent press article "like dipping your left toes in a box of metal filings".
Taking things easy , there's no great issue,accelerate hard and the problem is accentuated albiet masked to some degree by the the old girls noise and vibrations!.
Anyone I've mentioned it to gives the stock answer "There all like that to some degree".
Suggestions or sympathy welcome.

 

[oblertone]

Oil change ?

Change the gearbox oil to fully synthetic Castrol MTX, available direct from :

http://www.castrolclassicoils.co.uk/index.html

I was a bit sceptical but it certainly made a notable difference to my 1100.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

CONDORPILOT,

Drain your gearbox oil and make sure there is not small pieces of metal in the oil, don't confuse this with shavings which is normal. Does the gearbox whine when you throttle down? Could be one of the bearings that's on it's way out or even something simpler like the gear lever assembly needs some grease and setting.

Check the oil first to put your mind at ease, remember to replace the crush washer else you going to sit with a leak as well.

 

[CONDORPILOT]

Thanks guys.WD40 to linkage has maybe cleared up some crud on the outside.Changed oil 1k ago,no obvious metal.Being a mean Scot ,I'll hang off for a bit and try the Fully Synth oil next time.See it available on Castrols site about £9 quid/Lt if I remember correctly

 

[reyno]

Must agree my 1100 seems better for changing to fully synthetic, also adopting a different gear change method, move the gear lever as if you are going to do a clutchless change then proceed as normal ( so you are taking the slack up in the lever BEFORE shutting the throttle and pulling the clutch) works for me, give it a go, the thing is remembering to change this way due to it not being normal practice.
Cheers
Brian.

 

[TimC1]

Another point, I know this may sound silly, but what are your boots like?

Last year I bought new kit before my holiday including new boots and since then I havent missed a single gear, the new boots are a lot stiffer and consequently make gearchanges a lot more positive. It feels just like a new gearbox has been fitted.

TimC

 

[CONDORPILOT]

Tim.I've been wearing a HG Maxwell Touring boot for about 18 mos.There fairly soft ,certainly not MX type stiffness.
As I said,every other change is fine,high or low revs,with the exeption of 2nd to 3rd when accelerating hard.
My boots are still in pretty good condition so I think the synth. oil option first!.Thanks for the suggestion.I can always use your post to justify the purchase of new boots to Mrs CP when the time comes.

 

[Ian Whinnett]

M/Works

I have just spoken to one of the guys at motorworks about gearboxes on the 1100, mine has a noisy second gear. No probs engaging gears or anything though.

The guy reccomended that I just ignore it but did say that the 1100 box is more prone to probs engaging 3rd from second and jumping out of third under hard acceleration.

I hope that this is not to much doom and gloom, but the jumping uou of third may come and end all speculation.

By the way the guy reccomended EP80W90 oil and not full or semi synthetic oil as it reduces friction and provides a better layer between the moving parts.

Give them a ring I think I spoke to John but I am not sure it was only on Friday the 30/04/04 so whoever it was may remember the conversation.

Good luck

Ian W

 

[CONDORPILOT]

Thanks Ian.I had heard that some 1100's had G/box replaced under warranty for this prob. so it comes as no great surprise.As you say sometimes you just have to ignore these foibles and just ride it.I,ll give Mworks a ring.