Topic: CB 750 K5 - Shifting hard/clunky

[andyvclifford]

Sometimes it grinds before it goes in, it seems much louder/clunkier than it should be - perhaps its completely normal this is my first bike?  It is quite loud and the bike lurches sometimes when i pop it into first this way.  Other times the shift makes no sound at all and pops right in.

[seanbarney41]

sounds pretty normal to me, maybe just some sticky clutch plates/basket.  Good oil should help, but you are may have to run it for a while with good oil before improvement will be felt.  If that does not work, the clutch basket may be worn/grooved and that is not terrible to replace either...no case splitting.

How much have you ridden this bike?

[scottly]

Sound pretty normal to me, too.

[Spanner 1]

I'm late to the party but that oil with condensation in it ( milky stuff ) is not helping ya and baaad for the motor. So, new oil of the correct type and some riding trips ( 20 miles min IMO ) in reasonable temps will help this problem for sure.

[Kenzo]

Sometimes it grinds before it goes in, it seems much louder/clunkier than it should be - perhaps its completely normal this is my first bike?  It is quite loud and the bike lurches sometimes when i pop it into first this way.  Other times the shift makes no sound at all and pops right in.

There is always a little clutch drag, so when you drop it into first, all of the gear, dogs, countershaft and chain come to attention from a relaxed state. These bikes don't shift with a snick-snick like a manual car transmission. The fact it will shift out of first to neutral tells me there is not too much clutch drag. Hell I can't even walk my dirt bike backwards with it in gear and clutch in...too much drag...but it locks up when I hammer down!

Get some good oil in it, preferable with some zink, ride it and make sure you hit the shifter with a little bit of authority and ride it like other have said. May take an oil change or two to get these 40 years old bikes running like they use to.

Cheers,
Kenzo

[andyvclifford]

Thanks for the advice - i will doing the oil change today and trying to get some miles on it while the weather is above freezing.  If you guys think this is perfectly normal and not doing any harm to my gearbox ill trust the forums - i just felt like based on some of the other cb's ive ridden it was excessively clunky and grindy.

Also - the drive chain seems to be ok based on the minimal tests i did (as suggested by the almighty hondaman!)

thanks!!
andy

[DH]

My k5 does this as well. Only thing I've found that helps a little is to slow the idle speed down.

[andyvclifford]

Changed oil today and added zinc supplement.  Took it for a 15 mile drive after that (until i got too cold!) and brought it back in.  I cant really notice any huge difference in the shifting.  It randomly shifts hard and then not, especially when its been in neutral. 

I suppose i give up on this, since it seems that everyone says this is normal?

One other thing to note - after riding for 15 miles the frothy / foam on the oil cap was back meaning there is still a problem with condensation?  Should i check my breather tubes?

[robvangulik]

Changed oil today and added zinc supplement.  Took it for a 15 mile drive after that (until i got too cold!) and brought it back in.  I cant really notice any huge difference in the shifting.  It randomly shifts hard and then not, especially when its been in neutral. 

I suppose i give up on this, since it seems that everyone says this is normal?

One other thing to note - after riding for 15 miles the frothy / foam on the oil cap was
 back meaning there is still a problem with condensation?  Should i check my breather tubes?

Checking for blocked tube is always good (and easy) but  a ride for 15 miles at temps not far above freezing won't let you get rid of all moisture in the engine, you're generating more until the engine really warms up.
Only when the bike stops 'smoking' white water vapour from the exhaust its really warm and then you start vaporising the water in the oil.
There is a saying: bad weather doesn't exist, only bad clothing.
Dress yourself warm enough and go for an extended ride of some 50 miles, by then the oil should be clean again.

[cb650PK]

In cold climate 15 miles is not enough to warm up the oil. If the temp is really low, it never warms up. Your shifting seems pretty much normal for K5. After ridding your bike for while, you may figure shifting technique it likes better.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Oil froths without condensation. Did you lower your idle rpm?

[HondaMan]

Oil froths without condensation. Did you lower your idle rpm?

It also froths if it is a high-detergent type: that's not a good thing...