2nd Gen Shifting Problem

[ablumny]

Ive read through similar threads and have tried the solution's offered but my problem persists.

 

a. If I downshift, the shifter will occasionally stick, it wont pop back up.

b. Although less frequent, I also have a hard time getting it into neutral

c. Even less frequently, I have a tough time just shifting through the gears.

 

I am running Amsoil 20/50, Im on 200 miles with MotorKote added. I made sure all the ball joints for the linkage were tight, clean and lubricated.

 

(b) and © I can deal with as eventually I get my way.

(a) is a problem. I can roll up to a light in 3rd, drop it to 2nd, shifter hangs. Now Im at a light unable to get moving in 1st.

 

Any ideas?

[SilvrT]

I've not even looked at my shifter linkage so no idea if it's the same as my 1st gen's (I think it is) but... I've found that if the adjuster is out of whack it will affect shifting.

[Wanderer]

I've not even looked at my shifter linkage so no idea if it's the same as my 1st gen's (I think it is) but... I've found that if the adjuster is out of whack it will affect shifting.

 

+1

[1BigDog]

Ive read through similar threads and have tried the solution's offered but my problem persists.

 

a. If I downshift, the shifter will occasionally stick, it wont pop back up.

b. Although less frequent, I also have a hard time getting it into neutral

c. Even less frequently, I have a tough time just shifting through the gears.

 

I am running Amsoil 20/50, Im on 200 miles with MotorKote added. I made sure all the ball joints for the linkage were tight, clean and lubricated.

 

(b) and © I can deal with as eventually I get my way.

(a) is a problem. I can roll up to a light in 3rd, drop it to 2nd, shifter hangs. Now Im at a light unable to get moving in 1st.

 

Any ideas?

 

My 99 sometimes hangs up when its hot. I have to fish a bit for neutral, again, only when its hot. Sounds like your not getting enough clutch in there. Look at your clutch fluid. Is it a nice bright amber color or does it look like a dark ale? It might be time to flush out that old fluid and replace it with some fresh stuff.

[ablumny]

I may have thought it was clutch fluid related for all but the main problem of the shifter hanging but maybe. I'll check the fluid anyway. Thanks

 

Any ideas on how to properly adjust the linkage?

[pegscraper]

You might try putting some grease where the shift lever mounts on the floorboard. I keep that joint greased on my bike, and I can tell when it starts to go dry. It makes a world of difference.

[flb_78]

why are you stopping at a light in 3rd gear?

 

These bikes don't shift very well if they're not moving.

 

Sometimes I'll brainfart and stop at a light in 3rd or 4th. To get it to downshift, I'll hold it down and let the clutch out just a bit to get to grab. Repeat until 1st gear.

[Sailor]

Yup, what he said. If you are stopped the bike does not want to shift. Try rocking it , that seems to help.

[ablumny]

Thanks pegscraper. Yep, I greased the troublesome ball joint under hte floorboard. Mine was gunked up badly so I thought I found the problem but even after cleaning and greasing the remaining joints (and the one behind the exhaust pipe is a pain in the $#@@!

 

flb_78: Im certainly not coming to a stop in 3rd. What Im saying is I am rolling to a stop, downshifting through the gears in search of neutral and ultimately 1st. So as Im rolling the shifter gets stuck in the down position, doesn't pop back up which has left me in a gear, other than first, stopped at a light. So while the venture is well built, Im not pleased having to launch from a stop in any gear other than first

 

thanks guys...

[Seaking]

Thanks pegscraper. Yep, I greased the troublesome ball joint under hte floorboard. Mine was gunked up badly so I thought I found the problem but even after cleaning and greasing the remaining joints (and the one behind the exhaust pipe is a pain in the $#@@!

 

flb_78: Im certainly not coming to a stop in 3rd. What Im saying is I am rolling to a stop, downshifting through the gears in search of neutral and ultimately 1st. So as Im rolling the shifter gets stuck in the down position, doesn't pop back up which has left me in a gear, other than first, stopped at a light. So while the venture is well built, Im not pleased having to launch from a stop in any gear other than first

 

thanks guys...

 

Mine used to do that as well but no longer.. not sure what fixed it.. (swift kick to the shifter?) but I understand where you're coming from with your concerns as it was a pain in the ass when it was doing it.

 

Making sure there is no weight against the tranny helps.. (trying to change gears while the bike is stopped on an incline for example.. )

[pegscraper]

Well, I wasn't referring to the ball joints under the floorboard, but they could probably use some grease as well. I am referring to the main pin on top of the floorboard where the shift lever pivots. If that one gets dry, it will shift really hard and missed gears will be common. I have to grease that joint up two or three times a year.

[ablumny]

Well, I wasn't referring to the ball joints under the floorboard, but they could probably use some grease as well. I am referring to the main pin on top of the floorboard where the shift lever pivots. If that one gets dry, it will shift really hard and missed gears will be common. I have to grease that joint up two or three times a year.

 

I peeled back the boot on all four joints. Sent in some spray graphite grease, twisted the joints and was satisfied that they were operational. HOWEVER, my plan now is to dive in deeper, taking the whole thing apart, apply proper grease and adjust the linkage. Im just hoping this problem doesn't originate in the tranny.

 

thx

[FreezyRider]

When it gets stuck in the down position, what happens if you use your heel to try to pop it back up? Does it resist that, or does it come back up to the center position?

[V7Goose]

I haven't encountered this problem with an RSV, but the problems you describe are classic symptoms of either a damaged linkage, or worse, bent shifter forks in the tranny. Hope you find it.

Goose

[ablumny]

When it gets stuck in the down position, what happens if you use your heel to try to pop it back up? Does it resist that, or does it come back up to the center position?

 

Heel or toe, the shifter is stuck down. Only after continued prodding of the shifter and engaging the clutch does it pop back up. to me it has the feel of a gunked up linkage but as stated I thought I did a good job of cleaning everything

[ablumny]

I haven't encountered this problem with an RSV, but the problems you describe are classic symptoms of either a damaged linkage, or worse, bent shifter forks in the tranny. Hope you find it.

Goose

 

 

"bent shifter forks in the tranny"

[BradT]

Thanks pegscraper. Yep, I greased the troublesome ball joint under hte floorboard. Mine was gunked up badly so I thought I found the problem but even after cleaning and greasing the remaining joints (and the one behind the exhaust pipe is a pain in the $#@@!

.

 

Bingo it kinda hides back there and easy to forget.

 

Brad

[ablumny]

Well this problem has disappeared. I cant decide what did it, cleaning all the ball joint or adding MotorKote but its fixed.

 

Thx for the advice.