My buddies bike. He's having a hard time hitting neutral. I stood and watched him try and it looks like he is shifting correctly. He's got around 10K on the bike and this just started recently. He was able to hit neutral first shot with the engine off.

Is this a known issue? I'm guessing a bent shift fork.

 

10k on a 98? It's probably dieing of not being ridden enough.

I don't know about a 98 but the newer bikes if you have too much primary fluid it could make it harder to shift into neutral.

 

he may want to change out the fluids and put in some synthetics. try that first.

 

If he just got the primary fluid changed, it's possible it's been over filled. There is a caution in my service manual concerning this. If the clutch was adjusted while the engine was hot there is a caution about that also. The engine must be at room temp for the adjustment. Research the qty of oil in the primary and use that qty. A quart doesn't always work but it's easier to put then measuring 26 ozs., that's what goes in my 02 and 05.

 

My 96 roadking does the same thing. I usually end up using my hand if the stop light is to long. It has 50k on it. I thing my shift linkage needs to be reworked.

 

it's always hard to find neutral on evo trans.
I have a hard time with my fatty sometimes
it goes to N easy when it's slightly rolling.
my fatty has 52k on it. when it warms up I can get N easy

has he cleaned up and lubed all his linkages?
is his clutch adjusted properly?

you'll have probs shifting too if the primary chain is too tight.

 

We talked a bit more on the subject. He had bike serviced last year and had synthetic oil put in. He's only rode 3 or 4 short times this year. So maybe just a little stiff from the long winter. I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. Appreciate the pointers.

 

sometimes those clutch plates will stick together.

I never go by the manual because what they give for info isn't always right on.

I fill the primary until it just barley comes above the clutch diaphram spring.

the 5 speed trans takes 18-20oz give or take.

tell him to ride it like he stole it for a few miles, see if that changes anything.

 

Basically just tell him to ride it.

 

Good advice. Hopefully a few hundred miles will loosen things up.