Finding neutral
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
Just got back from a cruise, it's 100% better than before, neutral is now easy to find now that the clutch isn't dragging.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
Just make sure that when the clutch is engaged (clutch lever all the way out) that there is some free play in the lever. That is, the lever is loose so that the throw out bearing isn't being ridden.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
I come from the c5 & c6 Vette world, if our clutches don't disengage properly it wreaks havoc on your blocker rings.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
this thread motivated me to actually check into my neutral-finding-issues.
cable was good...hrm, maybe primary was overfull,easy enough to check. pulled the derby cover and was greeted by a deluge of motor oil.
guess i wasnt blowing it out past the breather after all. also explains why i mysteriously went through a quart and a half of oil in 1 long trip, and havent lost a drop since (filled the primary).
ahh well. outer primary is off, clutch plates are out, letting it sit a while to drip/drain some more before I attempt to pull the compensator/clutch hub.
cable was good...hrm, maybe primary was overfull,easy enough to check. pulled the derby cover and was greeted by a deluge of motor oil.
guess i wasnt blowing it out past the breather after all. also explains why i mysteriously went through a quart and a half of oil in 1 long trip, and havent lost a drop since (filled the primary).
ahh well. outer primary is off, clutch plates are out, letting it sit a while to drip/drain some more before I attempt to pull the compensator/clutch hub.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 2
From: Florida
this thread motivated me to actually check into my neutral-finding-issues.
cable was good...hrm, maybe primary was overfull,easy enough to check. pulled the derby cover and was greeted by a deluge of motor oil.
guess i wasnt blowing it out past the breather after all. also explains why i mysteriously went through a quart and a half of oil in 1 long trip, and havent lost a drop since (filled the primary).
ahh well. outer primary is off, clutch plates are out, letting it sit a while to drip/drain some more before I attempt to pull the compensator/clutch hub.
cable was good...hrm, maybe primary was overfull,easy enough to check. pulled the derby cover and was greeted by a deluge of motor oil.
guess i wasnt blowing it out past the breather after all. also explains why i mysteriously went through a quart and a half of oil in 1 long trip, and havent lost a drop since (filled the primary).
ahh well. outer primary is off, clutch plates are out, letting it sit a while to drip/drain some more before I attempt to pull the compensator/clutch hub.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
well, this explains a lot
probably blew it out when i cracked a piston a few months back. 60% leakdown on 1 cylinder put a LOT of extra pressure into the crank case.
upside now, neutral is easy to find, shifts are smoother, and WAY less vibration/clutch dragging.
probably blew it out when i cracked a piston a few months back. 60% leakdown on 1 cylinder put a LOT of extra pressure into the crank case.
upside now, neutral is easy to find, shifts are smoother, and WAY less vibration/clutch dragging.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
Finally read the owners manual....turns out the transmission is designed to only go to neutral from first...it won't go into neutral from second.
I noticed now that I've adjusted the cable and try to go from first, my bike hits neutral easy now.
I noticed now that I've adjusted the cable and try to go from first, my bike hits neutral easy now.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Having owned my 1990 bike from new I had forgotten that feature! It's second nature. It has the benefit when changing down to first gear, for example to take that unbelievably tight and steep hairpin bend, that you get the gear and not neutral!
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