Topic: Can't get out of 1st gear when stopped.

[gregripko]

My cb550 can't shift into neutral when stopped from first gear. Shifts smooth when riding though. Total noob so please explain with good detail. Clutch arm at the base barely moves when I engage clutch but all I did was add 10-w40 Castro oil for motorcycles (racing bikes). Any suggestions? It was working before :/ the rolling technique doesn't work.

[trueblue]

I have had this problem when using synthetic oil in my bike, but in saying that some synthetics are fine.  The best thing I ever did with mine was replace the seals in the oil pump, this made a huge difference to how it shifted, both on the move and when stationary.

[lucky]

My cb550 can't shift into neutral when stopped from first gear. Shifts smooth when riding though. Total noob so please explain with good detail. Clutch arm at the base barely moves when I engage clutch but all I did was add 10-w40 Castro oil for motorcycles (racing bikes). Any suggestions? It was working before :/ the rolling technique doesn't work.

The reason you cannot shift a motorcycle when it is stopped is that there are only 4 holes in the gears for the four shifting dogs (posts) to fit into.
To help the trans find first gear you need to rev up the engine just a little or let the bike roll forward a little just enough to allow the trans to rotate and let the shifting dogs find holes they fit into.

A motorcycle trans does not have synchros like a car transmission.

[gregripko]

Just don't understand how the bike was able to shift into neutral at a stop before and then I add oil and now it doesn't unless I'm rolling. Flat out the shifter is as solid as a rock if I try to shift.

[trueblue]

My cb550 can't shift into neutral when stopped from first gear. Shifts smooth when riding though. Total noob so please explain with good detail. Clutch arm at the base barely moves when I engage clutch but all I did was add 10-w40 Castro oil for motorcycles (racing bikes). Any suggestions? It was working before :/ the rolling technique doesn't work.

The reason you cannot shift a motorcycle when it is stopped is that there are only 4 holes in the gears for the four shifting dogs (posts) to fit into.
To help the trans find first gear you need to rev up the engine just a little or let the bike roll forward a little just enough to allow the trans to rotate and let the shifting dogs find holes they fit into.

A motorcycle trans does not have synchros like a car transmission.

You should be able to shift to neutral whilst stopped, because you are simply disengaging the dogs.  The most common cause I have found for not being able to find neutral on motorbikes is clutch drag.  If it isn't releasing properly it will want to jump into second gear instead of neutral.  On bikes with a wet clutch this is usually caused by the clutch not receiving enough oil between the plates, this can be due to a number of reasons.  Wrong oil, insufficient supply due to pump problem or restricted passages, manufacturing fault and I'm sure there are a few I'm not thinking about.

[scottly]

all I did was add 10-w40 Castro oil for motorcycles (racing bikes).

How much oil did you add? Or was it a complete oil change? In any case, wet clutches ALWAYS have some drag; it's the nature of the beast. It's always easier to find neutral before coming to a stop.

[gregripko]

2 quartz it was pretty low

[gregripko]

Like I said, shifts perfect moving but at a stop it's as hard as a rock (the shifter)

[dave500]

adjust the clutch mechanism maybe?

[gregripko]

Maybe.... Notice you can adjust clutch near grip and near clutch arm at bottom but what are the differences between the top and bottom adjustments? Know the top allows for a more stiff clutch grab or loose grab but what does bottom adjust do?

[dave500]

back off both ends of the cable so its slack,then adjust the lever at the case with the lock nut and screw untill it is somewhere near the dot on the case,then readjust the cable,,you might just try taking more slack out of the cable first though.

[Killer Canary]

The adjustment at the hand lever is fine adjustment; after you do the adjustment that Dave suggested, use the top adjustment toe get the recommended amount of play at the ball of the lever. If none of this helps, you'll know that it isn't an adjustment problem.

[grasscutter]

2 people hit it already.

-trans doesn't have synchros like cars do.
-roll bike forward and/or rev engine when sitting stationary and trying to shift.
-how much oil did you add, full change, etc.

The manual has a great write-up on how to do the clutch adjustment. 
Read it.  Do it.

I'm with the other folks, that thinks the adjustment will 'help', yet not cure it.
Its an old bike.  Do your final shifting in the last few feet coming to a stop.
(FWIW: test ride some new bikes.  You'll find very similar shifting characteristics.)

[Killer Canary]

the rolling technique doesn't work.

[dave500]

if its an old clutch it might be near its end date?any new clutches ive fitted have always had perfect disengagement,no drag,no slip.

[Killer Canary]

Also, they're good with synthetic.