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Hi everyone !, my first post on here .. I picked up a Night Rod Special 2 weeks ago ... I walked into the dealer and they just happened to be uncrating one they got unexpectedly, so I immediately jumped on it .. no waiting list, just got the bike ...
I have a bit over 500 miles on the bike now, and am still breaking it in as per manual ... In the last 50 miles or so, i have noticed that the gear box does not positively shift into first, even from neutral. I have a few times found myself at an intersection where the bike should have been in first , just to find it in 2nd, or neutral, or even 3rd one time ... and then its not just an issue of downshifting into 1st, it just does no want to shift ! it takes slipping the clutch a bit as i downshift, or rocking the bike back and forth a bit to get it to shift ... besides inconvenient, i have found it embarrassing a few times with cars honking at me !!
has anyone else experienced anything similar ? should i take it in for service before my 1000 post break in service ? any opinions and comments would be appreciated .....
also, so far i have been performing all the shifts with clutch disengagement ... after break in however can this gear box handle clutch less up-shifts ??
I have heard of owners having shift problems but these are usually limited to early year (02-early 04)bikes which needed updated shift forks/drum. With a new bike I wouldn't think there would be a dirt problem but despite my thinking I would pull the linkage loose and check the heimjoints (joints on the end of the shifter rod)for free movement and the pedal itselffor free movement. If things are binding it can most definitely cause shifting problems. This is the most usual problem, I've dealt with it myself when I changed the shifter rod andapplied too much blue locktite, itgot into the joint and seized it up)If the problem isn't thereor otherwise apparent I would have it looked at. You are still under warranty,any needed repairsshould be paid for completely.
The gearbox can most assuredly handle clutchless upshifts. I've done so more times than I can count, even at 9000 on a race track. Blip the throttle while pulling up on the shifter and it will slide into the next gear like a hot knife into butter.....................warm butter that is.
thanks for the info guys ... At the rate i have been riding the bike, i will be bringing it in for service by next week anyway for the 1000 mile after break-in checkup ... i will have them look at why it dies not shift into first easily ... actually come to think of it, it did not want to pop into 1st from neutral right when i got it and was tying it down on the trailer .. maybe its only now i noticed it ?? usually im in 1st before a complete stop and rarely put it in neutral anyway ( except when i want to stretch out at a light here and there ... )
Eazy, i tried shifting without the clutch, and you are right !!! smooooooth as warm butter !! man !! what a punch, from first to second at around 7K rpm .. wow ! this bike has more punch than i thought !!
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