Topic: Hard(er) shifting

[longshanks]

I recently did the Hondaman clutch hub mod along with a new clutch cable and I've noticed the shifts are definitely harder or the gears chunk together louder. Would replacing the clutch spring help? I have noticed however that since the mod, the friction zone is wider and it engages easier 

[longshanks]

bump

[NewOldSchool]

I've found that these bikes have a rather clunky gearbox and can't really be shifted like a modern bike.

I have developed a habit that usually rewards me with clean shifts every time:

1) Preload the shifter by pulling up lightly like you are about to change gear.
2)Pull in clutch and let of throttle slightly
3)Shift
4) Let clutch back out and go

Do this in one fluid motion!

If you pull in the clutch and then shift without preloading the shifter you tend to get the clunky shifts and false neutrals more often.

Anyone else?

[trueblue]

I can't provide any help to the OP other than to suggest he PMs hondaman directly.  As to NewOldSchools comment about these bikes being hard to shift, my 650 is as smooth if not smoother than most modern bikes I have ridden, the only thing is I occasionally get false neutrals when the weather is really cold and the engine isn't completely warmed up.

[dave500]

im with new oldschool,,,lightly pre load your shifts,and dont try to do them as fast as a new bike,some people aint got no feel for things?


same as a sloppy shifter on a road ranger or similar,,take up the slack first in the direction your shifting in.

[NewOldSchool]

I can't provide any help to the OP other than to suggest he PMs hondaman directly.  As to NewOldSchools comment about these bikes being hard to shift, my 650 is as smooth if not smoother than most modern bikes I have ridden, the only thing is I occasionally get false neutrals when the weather is really cold and the engine isn't completely warmed up.

Totally different bike and a decade newer, specifically talking about CB750's in this case.

[dave500]

most old bikes of the era share a similar mechanism newoldschool,taking up the slack before you shift applies to most any old bike,,newer riders with only late model bike experience have trouble with these,they aint got no feel for things once again.

[trueblue]

That might be it Dave, I have mainly ridden pre 80's bikes, and only a few modern bikes, so I guess compared to some of the clunkers I have ridden my 650 is a rolls royce, but I would say that it is as smooth as any of the newer bikes I have ridden.

[dave500]

even a worn shifter is ok to use,you just have to have the knack??some people have trouble even getting an old bike or car into gear!!


i did mention some people aint got no feel for things?

[longshanks]

I know how to pre-load my shifts and have been doing that for a while now, I was just trying to figure out if something was amiss in the clutch hub mod or if my clutch spring is worn out(what are the effects of a worn clutch spring?)
I noticed after the work I did, upon selecting first gear, it killed the engine, but since hasn't done so but the shifts are harder like I mentioned.

[wrenchmuch]

If you took apart the clutch pack did you put all the plates back in the right way ? Plates are stamped out and have a sharp edge and a rounded edge. They should all face the same way. I can't remember which way that is right now. There is a tread somewhere with this info. Might be in the FAQ section.

[NewOldSchool]

I know how to pre-load my shifts and have been doing that for a while now, I was just trying to figure out if something was amiss in the clutch hub mod or if my clutch spring is worn out(what are the effects of a worn clutch spring?)
I noticed after the work I did, upon selecting first gear, it killed the engine, but since hasn't done so but the shifts are harder like I mentioned.

Clutch adjusted per the manual? Also wrenchmuch is right about having to put the clutch pack back together the same way it was before it was taken out.

[Bailgang]

1) Preload the shifter by pulling up lightly like you are about to change gear.

Excellent tip. I read this last night and tried it for the first time this morning riding to work and again coming home and I can say it definitely helps in regards to avoiding a false neutral on my 550. It's just going to take a while to get used to making it part of my normal shifting routine.

[NewOldSchool]

1) Preload the shifter by pulling up lightly like you are about to change gear.

Excellent tip. I read this last night and tried it for the first time this morning riding to work and again coming home and I can say it definitely helps in regards to avoiding a false neutral on my 550. It's just going to take a while to get used to making it part of my normal shifting routine.

Yea get the timing right and its butter every time. Don't rush the shift, these bikes kind of shift their own speed if you know what I mean.

I really should have said: 2) Shift up as you pull in the clutch and let off the throttle slightly.

If you pre load the shift lever it should snick into gear just as you pull in the clutch, one fluid motion.

Cheers!

[dave500]

blip the throttle on down shifts,,its not just to sound impressive its to match the speeds of the meshing dogs.