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Author Topic: Sticky neutral  (Read 2223 times)

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Stattz

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Sticky neutral
« on: February 22, 2006, 02:54:06 PM »
I have a '78 CB550 that I'm about to license and put on the road. It sat in someone's shed for several years, possibly as many as 20,  and has just under 19000 miles on it. Shifting into neutral after I've ridden it a little way (say, about 10 minutes)  becomes very difficult.  Other gears seem fine.  Could this be a worn clutch?  Something else?  Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Stattz
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supersport_CB400F

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2006, 02:59:24 PM »
Flush and change the oil.
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Offline heffay

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2006, 04:25:00 PM »
stattz... what did you do to get the bike roadworthy after its nap?  if nothing... well, plugs, oil, filter, brake flush, check everything thoroughly... how bout those tires

nuetral hard to find you say?  does the tranny ratchet into gear or slink in too smoothly... it probably is a clutch problem.

otherwise... biffta probably pegged it.
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Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2006, 05:21:58 PM »
Biffta has the correct initial approach.
However, be sure you use a motorcycle rated oil.  The wet clutch and transmission need oils and additives that current autos don't require and aren't provided in oil for auto use.  Worse, some auto oils have very wrong additives for transmission and wet clutch operation.

Have you adjusted the clutch and cable?

If the clutch still drags, making neutral selection difficult when hot, then it may have warped plates in the clutch that require replacement.

The only work around is to have some trans gear motion while selecting neutral.  Rock bike fore and aft, or have a little rear wheel movement while selecting neutral.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Stattz

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2006, 05:36:33 PM »
New cam chain tensioner (old one stripped of teeth), cleaned and balanced the carbs, bought a master cylinder from ebay, new plugs, pod air filters, shortened clutch and throttle cables to fit clubman bars.  I paid a guy to do the work (he made the cables a tad too long and then used up all the thread on the lever trying to adjust the cables to the right length. So now there's still some play but no room left to adjust the cables).  I'm still learning how to fettle my bike so taking off the top end and balancing the carbs is one beyond me at the moment.  Bike was at a bargain price so I figured I could afford it.  I assumed (Ha!) that all this would surely entail an oil change, but maybe I was wrong.  Sounds like it, doesn't it?

Tires look good, although obviously older.  Lots of tread still left. Bike runs well, handles well (as compared to my '83 Cb750 Supersport which is for sale if anyone's interested).  Only problem seems to be the neutral issue.

Does anyone have any oil recommendations?

I'll change the oil in the next day or two and see...

Thanks for all the help,

Stattz
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2006, 06:03:12 PM »
Quote
Does anyone have any oil recommendations?

Do a search on this, you will no doubt find more info and discussion than you ever thought possible.  ;D

The tires may look good and appear to have lots of tread, but if they are the originals or more than, say 5 years old, I would seriously think about replacing them. Check them with a finger nail, seem dry, hard?
« Last Edit: February 22, 2006, 08:00:41 PM by Bob Wessner »
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2006, 07:52:19 PM »
I just read in here the other day and I think it was Hondaman that recommended Castrol or Torko brands over Valvoline  & Havoline. There are many threads here about using diesel type oils (15-40) and this brand and that brand.I have always used 10-40 in my 750 and I can tell you for a fact that it is either Castrol or Valvoline.Those are the only brands that I would use in my cages and now that Hondaman is up for Castrol,I will continue to use it in my bike. I have seen probs in cages with Penz. and Quaker State and would only use them in an emergency.
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cd811

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2006, 09:19:31 PM »
hondaman had a fix for sticky clutch...do a search...some plates don't slip good ,so the clutch needs a little more oil...sounded good to me ;)
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Offline Lumbee

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2006, 08:06:07 AM »
..carl, did u put diffrent headlights on u'r scoot?
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Stattz

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2006, 11:07:42 AM »
Did anyone ever see pics of Hondaman's clutch plate holes mod?

I'm off to buy oil this afternoon.  If anyone thinks there's a problem with Castrol GTX 10W40, please speak up soon.

Thanks,

Stattz
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Offline Lumbee

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2006, 11:10:11 AM »
...I and many others use Catrol 20/50...
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Offline heffay

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2006, 11:23:04 AM »
stattz... where do you live?  if it gets fairly hot there during the summer months (90-100+) i would go with the 20-50.  course, that's what i run year round.
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Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Stattz

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2006, 01:02:55 PM »
Greensboro, NC.  Fairly mild winter so far.  Fairly warm in the summers.  Anyone else around here?

Stattz
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cd811

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2006, 05:11:47 PM »
yea lum...I changed headlights..the little ones were cool but keep blowing, so I went to these rubber housing ones...ran them on my last project...durable

hondaman finally posted pics of modification...do search

I run Rotella 15-40
« Last Edit: February 26, 2006, 12:12:56 PM by cd811 »
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Offline cbjunkie

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2006, 07:33:23 PM »
i'm diggin' the new headlights man...
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cd811

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Re: Sticky neutral
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2006, 09:07:57 PM »
thanks
painted the front-end black tonight...turned out pretty good ..will post pics soon
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