Topic: Added oil, cant find neutral.

[narcoticrex]

Last oil i added was pennzoil 10w 40, which caused some minor slippage, but getting into N was easy as pie. Put in 3/4 of a quart of quaker state 10w 40 specific for motorcycles (specifically mentions clutch slippage on the back of the bottle) and now I cannot find N! Other shifting is perfectly fine, no issues.  Just cant get it into neutral, even tried with my hand pulling, but no luck.  any ideas?  (besides the obvious of changing the oil...)

[kghost]

Was the oil you added that mentioned "clutch slippage" supposed to prevent slippage?

If so you prolly gummed up your clutch.

If you turn the bike off you prolly can find neutral.

Also a bit of clutch lever manipulation sometimes helps.

Heres what ya do:

1. drain the oil
2. start a "what oil should I use" post
3. get teased and flamed for 6 pages
4. give up and dump in Rotella from walmart


You'll be fine 

[BobbyR]

+1 on the Rotella.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Is it that your neutral light doesn't come on?  Can you confirm you are in gear by trying to walk the bike (engine off)?

[mlinder]

-1 on rotella.

[narcoticrex]

Is it that your neutral light doesn't come on?  Can you confirm you are in gear by trying to walk the bike (engine off)?

i confirm i am in gear.  i can see the green light flicker as i go over it.

[mkramer1121]

standard castrol gtx 20w-50 seems to give me no issues in my cb550 at all

[BobbyR]

Before the oil war starts. Are you not able to put the Tranny in Neutral under any circumstances, or are no not able to find nuetral via the indicator light. These are two different problems.

[narcoticrex]

I havent tried yet with the engine off.  Trying to get into N, before or after riding, is not possible, it slips right over it.  The only thing the light is telling me is that i missed N.

i dont want an oil war, i was just wondering if i can adjust the clutch or do something for an easy fix.

[TwoTired]

I wonder what bike this thread is about?

Anyway, almost certainly your clutch is dragging for some reason.  Slightly rolling the bike should help find neutral.

If the adjustment is good and the right oil is in the clutch, then maybe you have warped clutch plates.

Cheers,

[kayaker43]

+1 on the clutch drag, that will do it every time.

Also there's no reason to come to a stop and fish for neutral, allways hit it while rolling.

If the engine is stopped, just roll it back and forth to unload the gears while putting pressure on the shifter.

[mattcb350f]

Anyway, almost certainly your clutch is dragging for some reason.  Slightly rolling the bike should help find neutral.

If the adjustment is good and the right oil is in the clutch, then maybe you have warped clutch plates.

Cheers,

As for a mechanical explanation, I know on the 350 there is a spring loaded roller that rides on the end of the shifter drum than hits an indent to hold the transmission in neutral, Theoretically, if the spring broke on this part the drum wouldn't stay in or find neutral either.

But I bet the clutch is dragging too.

 Matt.

[kghost]

I bet he put oil in the bike to combat clutch slippage and thats why the clutch is dragging

[narcoticrex]

This is on my 550.  I just put in oil because it needed it, and picked that oil out because it was 4 stroke motorcycle engine oil.  i just thought it was odd how my bike went from one extreme to another just by adding oil...i thought clutch slippage was a rumor 

[greenjeans]

What would cause the clutch to "drag" ?

Adjusted too tight ?

[mystic_1]

It's my understanding that some oils have incompatible additives and you should avoid mixing brands.  Maybe just a superstition, but it's a thought to consider.  Try a full oil change?

mystic_1

[kghost]

Put in 3/4 of a quart of quaker state 10w 40 specific for motorcycles (specifically mentions clutch slippage on the back of the bottle) and now I cannot find N!

What did the oil you added say about clutch slippage?

[ofreen]

Last oil i added was pennzoil 10w 40, which caused some minor slippage, but getting into N was easy as pie. Put in 3/4 of a quart of quaker state 10w 40 specific for motorcycles (specifically mentions clutch slippage on the back of the bottle) and now I cannot find N! Other shifting is perfectly fine, no issues.  Just cant get it into neutral, even tried with my hand pulling, but no luck.  any ideas?  (besides the obvious of changing the oil...)

Kind of hard to diagnose this one based on info given.  How much have you ridden the bike since you changed the oil?  Have you gotten the engine good and warmed up?  New oil is stickier and more viscous than old, and will sometimes cause the clutch plates to stick together until the oil is fully warmed up and has a few miles on it.  If your clutch is adjusted correctly, just ride the bike awhile and see if the situation improves.

It's my understanding that some oils have incompatible additives and you should avoid mixing brands.  Maybe just a superstition, but it's a thought to consider. 
mystic_1

An old wives's tale.  However, it is an established fact that use of Rotella or any synthetic in your bike will lead to penile disfunction.

[narcoticrex]

An old wives's tale. 

know where i can get a wife that likes to discuss old honda motors? 

Went out today, rolled it in gear like 2 tired said, that got it into N, then after it was warmed up, it went into N easier, FWIW.