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Difficulty shifting

P

planeburger

Training Wheels
I'm a newbie here still, I just bought my 96 Connie this year and there is probably a thread here about this, but I couldn't find it. Yesterday I was out riding, stopped at a light and shifted into neutral. The light changed and I tried shifting into first, but it wouldn't go. I repeatedly tried and no go. I ended up pushing the bike to the side to let traffic pass and after a couple more attempts it went into gear. I've had a similar issue before where I couldn't find neutral either, and had lug away in second gear. Anyone had similar problem and is there a fix for this? :quest: '96 C10
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It happens to my '04 from time to time. I've found pumping the clutch a few times will let it drop right in. I guess there may be something wrong with it - I never gave it much worry, just figured it was one of the bike's quirks. Maybe someone with a real fix will chime in. And welcome to Connie ownership Sean B '04 Connie NYBKX, AMA, IBA, COG # 5993 http://odmp.org http://community.webshots.com/user/seanb68 "Everybody dies - not everybody really lives" 1* :)
 
I've occasionally had the same problem. My fix was the same as Sean's; let the clutch out, pull it back in and it will drop in gear. (Always, for me!) I'm not sure why this is, but suspect it may be related to the neutral finder. Anyway, this works for me. Eddie 2005 Concours 1969 Triumph Bonneville AMA# 686667 COG# 7073 CDA# 0136 http://picasaweb.google.com/Eddie753
 
planeburger, when you came up to the stop light and shifted into neutral, did you continue to sit with the clutch lever pulled in, or did you let it out? If you didn't let the lever out, there's your problem. Let the clutch out, then when you pull it back in you should easily be able to drop it into gear. If you did, then as Eddie said, there's some issue with the neutral finder (and someone else will need to offer a possible solution, since my Connie hasn't had any problem so far in that regard!) Hope that helps you out. Mike B / Gig Harbor, WA
 
I've never had this problem with any of my Concours or Ninjas, but on other bikes I've had problems just as you described when the clutch would not fully disengage, either due to maladjustment of the clutch lever/cable (Olde Pharte Byke) or air in the hydraulic clutch actuation system (built by a certain British reincarnated company). If the "handle pump" method described above does not work, you may want to try bleeding or servising your clutch system.
 
When I shift into neutral at the lights, I always release the clutch lever, thats why it suprised me when I tried to shift into first and got nothing. I can't recall if I tried releasing the clutch (pump method) when it wouldn't go into neutral, I'll have to give that a try and see if it works. Failing that, as was mentioned, I'll have to look at the clutch system. Not a nice feeling to be sitting in heavy traffic and you can't get your bike moving! :8o: Thanks all, and thanks for the welcome Sean! '96 C10
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as a side mote... MSF position is that riders should remain in first gear when stopped to allow a quick get away if needed. -- Steve Smith, COG #3184 COG Northeast Area Director (somewhere in south central CT)
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If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
 
When you shift do you feel a secondary "bump" in the clutch lever? If so you might have an issue with the clutch star springs. This is a fairly common issue where the springs (designed to buffer the return of the clutch plates as they engage) break and you get this sensation in the lever. Eventually this condition becomes worse as the tangs of the spring (radial design with six tangs made from spring steel) break off and may get caught up into the clutch basket. The only way to be absolutley sure is to remove the clutch cover (have a new gasket on hand before you do this!) and examine the springs. If a tang is missing then replace it! I believe murph sells them. www.murphskits.com and if not www.ronayers.com does. If you do not have this secondary "bump" feeling in the clutch lever I'd look at adjusting the shift lever so if fits you in the best postion as this can sometimes be an issue. Also make sure the slave cylinder is bleed and the fluid is golden to clear. Also as this is a wet clutch system the cleanliness of your oil can make a difference also. Nothing here is very difficult to do, so check it out and let us know what you come up with. Best of luck! AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 TEAM OREGON MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
Nothing here is very difficult to do, so check it out and let us know what you come up with
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Thats what I like to hear! I'm good at checkin' the simple stuff. I can't say I noticed a secondary bump when shifting, it seems to shift smooth, except for the usual solid clunk when it goes into first. I'm going to change my oil to 5w-40 synthetic, and see if that helps and I'll check the others you suggested 2linby, and let you know what I find. Thanks!
 
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