It is getting colder here in the mornings in Michigan. I have noticed the last few days that the bike runs and shifts normally first thing in the morning after a warm up long enough for me to gear up.

For the last couple of days, I have had to make a short run after the 30 minute commute. The run is only about a mile. All seems well. After parking for almost 4 hours, the bike is hard to shift at first. The shift lever does not feel like it is returning fully to allow for the next shift. After a couple of shifts to get it to work, it seems to be fine! I am running Redline Heavy gear oil.

This morning, got on rode about 6-7 miles to an appointment, came out an hour later, all is well. Do I just need to let it warm up a bit>? The linkage all looks fine and tight.

 

This happened to me and I took the shifter off and put fresh grease on it and it worked fine. It was dragging on the nipple that the shifter slides over

 

Same problem with my shifter on my heritage. Dealer told me on the softies water likes to get in there and it stiffiens up

 

So what you are saying is that I should pull the shifter lever itself off the scoot, re-lube it and reinstall?

That sounds plausible! I do get wet now and again.

 

That is what I am saying, can't hurt that's for sure. If it doesn't fix the problem at least you have eliminated a possible problem

 

I do oil my shifter lever shaft evey oil change, but at the 15k service the dealer suggested putting in (Bel-Ray 80-140) which I did.
After that change I also had stiff shifting under when the temp was under 70*until she warned up.

I changed that out pretty quick and started using a GL 75-90 Syn, then she shifted fine after that and Cold temp has no effect on her at all.

I switched to Mobil 1 but U should get the same result with any good SNY Gear lube.

Since new I've used whatever the new bike oil was. Then Syn oil from 1k-5k. Didn't really care for it.
At the 5k service til 15K I used Formula+ and it was OK.
Then dealer said to try the Bel-Ray at 15k, didn't like it at all
At 16k til now with 36K I've used nothing but Mobil 1 GL75-90 and I am totally happy with the way it shifts.
Also use Mobil 1 V-Twin 20-20 in Primary and Engine. since the 16k mile mark.

 

Thanks guys. Took the shifter off, was able to get some good spray grease in there. Seems to have done the trick for now. Think I will change to specrol gear lube in the future and abandon the thick pepto bismol (redline heavy)

 

An oil that is too thick in the tranny will make shifting difficult in colder temps. As simple as that. 75W-90 is what I run too. Mobil 1.

Drew

 

I agree.

 

The front shifter shaft is probably the problem. My brother's siezed up and the shop told him the same thing. I oil mine several times a year after that and don''t have any trouble with it. Simple fix for sure.