Can not shift gears when cold?

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Oct 31, 2010 | 09:04 AM

#11

dawg

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 28,577

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From: Vermont

Good time to change out the primary fluid and tranny fluid, do a full clutch adjustment at the basket and cable, lube the cable, lube and adjust the linkage if necessary and check and adjust the primary chain tension if needed.

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:03 AM

#12

1flhtk4me

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,675

Likes: 95

From: Billings,Mt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawg

lube the cable,

Do the new 2011 cables require lube?

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:08 AM

#13

CT-Bagger

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 836

Likes: 1

From: Rocky Hill, CT.

Try Amsoil 75W-110 extreme gear oil in her 5 speed.

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:13 AM

#14

merkinman

Advanced

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 71

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From: bremerton WA

I run Mobil syn gear oil. SMOOOOOOTH as silk

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:25 AM

#15

Daddio

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 359

Likes: 1

...You mentioned you have to let it "warm up" before you get rolling.
Not a bad idea. I always try to start the bike and let it sit/settle down to a normal idle/RPM before i take off... usually just for a few minutes, 3-4 minutes?... sort of let the fluids get flowing and warm up the metal... them i get my helmet and gear on and I'm good to go.

You may need some linkage adjustment or fluids checked out?

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:40 AM

#16

fastalkintn

Thread Starter

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Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 297

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From: Christiana, Tn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddio

I always let it warm up before I take off...what I meant was it seems like I have to get the tranny hot before it will shift. I do this by rolling off in 1st gear accelerate to the top of the RPM range and then let it come back down to idle. I have to do this before I can change out of 1st. No matter how long I let it idle, I have to go through this process before I can shift gears.

Thanks to everyone for the tips. Guess I will have a busy Saturday next weekend.

The thing I can not figure out, is that after I do the above process I have no problems at all. No noise no smell....nothing. It runs and shifts great.

Oct 31, 2010 | 10:47 AM

#17

Faast Ed

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Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 7,580

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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

I wouldn't even consider running my throttle "to the top of the range" before a minimum of 20 - 30 minutes actual riding. Lots of expansion going on during warmup, and very little has taken place in the first few minutes.
You are sure to blow a head gasket or cause some other damage revving a cold motor "to the top".

As someone already had stated: Dump your primary fluid and start all over. A good clutch adjustment and proper amount of primary fluid. Over fill (or under fill) will cause you problems!