| Author | Message | ||
     Dwolfe |
While riding my bike hard last summer, after the bike got hot I had trouble shifting. I heard no grinding noise but it was very difficult to shift. Is this common or is something wrong? | ||
| Fullpower |
my sportster was really low on transmission oil once, and had the same symptom. drained what little (stinky, blackened) oil remaining, and refilled with synthetic 20w-50 and has been working very well since. that was at least 5 years ago. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Have you checked your clutch adjustment? Switching to synthetic fluids also smoothed out my shifts considerably. WT | ||
| Diablobrian |
might want to check primary drive chain tension too. remember check in several spots and adjust at it's tightest point. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Your post stated "Last Summer" it's now Feb. is it still happening, if so there's a couple if things to look at. If not uncommon for the primary chain to get tighter when hot and could have been you cause, but is easy to fix. Any of the good Syn Trans Oils will help also, we use Red Line 75-90, but Mobil also makes a great one. If it is still hard to shift and not heat related it will get more expensive to repair. I am not too sure what comes first bent Shift Forks, damaged Shift Drum, or damaged dogs on the gears. They all require engine removal and case splitting, but remember to replace at three items. With the engine split is not time to try and save a few $ by looking at a worn part and saying that doesn't look too bad go ahead and re-use it. ... Terry | ||
| Dwolfe |
All are great suggestions, I said last summer because I live in Minnesota so I haven't had the problem since it was in the 90's last summer. I road until late October but it was much cooler. What is scarey is that I had just had the 5K mile service done in August and had the problem in late August and they had changed the tranny fluid! I not very confident in my dealer service. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Was it heat related or is it still hard to shift? BTW I would not have guessed Minnesota, but would have bet it was parked for the winter by the way you stated your problem. ... Terry | ||
| Dwolfe |
No it seems to be heat related. I'm thinking now maybe clutch adjustment or tranny fluid level. Maybe I will switch it out this spring and use synthetic. I want to get an adjustable clutch lever so I'need to adjust the clutch anyway. | ||
| Old_man |
Get the synthetic, even if the oil is not the cause of your shifting problem, you will be satisfied by its performance over the standard stuff. | ||
| Old_man |
After a dealer service, drain & refill all fluids, I had shifting problems too, when I got around to checking transmission oil I had to add over half a quart to get it up to the proper level. (no leaks) Moral: check levels when the dealer is done. |
