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Author Message   Springer1 Posted on Monday, October 24, 2011 - 11:49 am:        I've been away from the Buell community for a few years, I just recently picked up an 08 Ulysses. I don't remember my 03 Lightning taking so much effort to shift, this Ulysses really takes some effort on the shifter to hit the next gear. I've adjusted my primary chain and clutch and even changed to Amsoil in the primary, it shifts marginally better, any ideas?   Mark_weiss Posted on Monday, October 24, 2011 - 12:49 pm:        My '08 was very notchy until I reset the shift linkage. Removed the knuckle and adjusted the rod so that the angles were all 90 degrees (or as close as possible). The change was significant.   Thejosh Posted on Monday, October 24, 2011 - 01:01 pm:        I know they are real finicky when it comes to oil level in the primary, get it right and should shift like buttah. Also, I noticed they are a bit clunky when shifting at low R.P.M., hope this helps. Josh   Springer1 Posted on Monday, October 24, 2011 - 01:15 pm:        Thanks for the advice guys, I'll let you know if this helps or not.   Bike_pilot Posted on Monday, October 24, 2011 - 04:47 pm:        Mine was quite stiff until I adjusted the primary chain (it was a little snug) and the clutch cable/drive thingy (cable was too loose) and changed the oil in the primary. Now it still shifts worse than a Japanese or Italian bike, but much better than before and, I think, pretty darn good for something from milwaukee. I also lubed the shifter pivot and all the linkage pivots, but that didn't seem to do much. Maybe double-check your clutch and chain adjustments and try lubing the pivot points.   Springer1 Posted on Monday, October 24, 2011 - 09:05 pm:        I adjusted the linkage and wow what a difference that made with the shifting, thanks!!   Yamafreak Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 09:15 am:        They also shift better with age.   Springer1 Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 01:57 pm:        I guess it is only just broken in now with 15k miles..   Hughlysses Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 02:31 pm:        I guess it is only just broken in now with 15k miles.. My original 07 tranny continued to improve long past that point. Now I've barely started breaking in an 09 tranny with ~7k miles on it.   Conchop Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 02:44 pm:        What bike - pilot said + 1. Go to Amsoil 60 wt. shift at higher rpm She'll loosen up after a while   Yamafreak Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - 06:30 pm:        Amsoil 60 wt. In both holes   Thejosh Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - 06:37 pm:        You run amsoil straight 60 in the engine?   Yamafreak Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 07:37 am:        Yes I do and LOVE it!   Thejosh Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 02:06 pm:        Can you tell a difference?   Hooper Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 05:48 pm:        Sounds like you solved it, but just in case anyone else is diagnosing their problem: My transmission started becoming very hard to shift after about 14,000 miles. I looked at the clutch cable up by the clutch lever - it was down to three strands and near the breaking point. That additional slack on the line let the adjustments get all out of whack. Glad I checked it at home!   Arcticktm Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 12:53 pm:        I've also noticed my bike is very sensitive to having the throttle all the way closed to ease shifts. Years of other brand bikes (with better transmissions, I must admit) had apparently gotten me lazy. Making sure I chop the throttle completely, and slightly preloading the shift lever before I do so seems to greatly reduce shift effort. I just run "normal" trans oil (Formula + or a motorcycle type 20W50 syn). I frequently check and adjust primary and clutch cable freeplay. Wow, 60W straight in your engine seems pretty extreme.   Uly_man Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 01:25 pm:        I had no problems with my 06 bike, with 4k on it or with my 2010 bike with 2k miles. Although neutral is a little harder to find at sandstill than the 06 bike. I think it will wear in with miles though. Given that it is a V-Twin and both the engine and gearbox are "tractor grade" i think it is very good. Its never going to be like a Suzi box but its not all that far off IMO. Adjusting ride style for engine/box type will help big time. I also think getting the box up to temp will help as well.   Bike_pilot Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 02:46 pm:        FWIW the tractor-like nature has nothing to do with being a v-twin and everything to do with being made by Harley. My Suzuki and Ducati sporting v-twins shift wonderfully (and neutral is still easy to find). Honda's sporting twins shift similarly wonderfully. For that matter even my 1975 Kawasaki H1 shifts a bazillion times better than any XB. HD just hasn't a clue how to build a decent motor or gearbox.   Danair Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 03:06 pm:        You have an H-1? Bitchin!   Bike_pilot Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011 - 08:57 am:        Yep, love two strokes! It really shifts amazingly well too, not at all far off a modern japanese sport bike. You do have to be mindful that things aren't in the traditional order though or first gear just won't get you anywhere

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