Grinding Sound

[Sandy H]

Well it seems that in the last 3 rides when I have been shifting into 4th
(not all the time)I hear agrinding sound and can't get it into gear(up or down)
Then I give it more throttle and pull in the clutch and she slips into gear.
I don't even know where to start on this.
Does this sound like it could be a major problem?

[cywelchjr]

Sounds like the clutch is not fully disengaging. This can be because the clutch is not properly adjusted or because its worn.

This could also be worse, it could be a shift fork problem IIRC, but it sounds more like a clutch issue to me.

[CatatonicBug]

Is there any sign at all of grinding in any other gears? I know the famous 2nd gear fix also applies to 1st and 3rd (it did for me), but not sure about 4th though. maybe some searches would turn up an answer on that. It sounds like it may require opening the transmission case and at least looking at the clutch. If the clutch plates look ok, then I'd turn to the shifting mechanism itself (2nd gear fix type things).

[DGXSER]

Hey Sandy,

When I was in my tranny I did not see anything that looked like a synchronizer on these trannies, so I think Cy is on the path. Other thing I can think of is the shift return spring. Seems it would effect more than one gear, but stranger things have happened. JAT

[Sandy H]

Grinding sound

Sounds like the clutch is not fully disengaging. This can be because the clutch is not properly adjusted or because its worn.

This could also be worse, it could be a shift fork problem IIRC, but it sounds more like a clutch issue to me.

Do you know how to get to the clutch(I have the manual)
Is it a job I can do my self"
Do I have to pull the motor apart.
How do I get to the clutch.
I am new at this.
What is the 2nd gear fix?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Sandy,

In the tech tip forums there are ones for adjusting the clutch at the engine, under that round cover on the right hand clutch case cover, just takes 2 phillips screws to remove it...see the tech tip in Maintanence for full details and photos.

What you said in the first post caught my eye. What RPM are you trying to shift into 4th gear?? You say you give it a little throttle and then it'll slip right in! I would hope that you are around 4-5K rpm before shifting into 4th, otherwise you could be lugging the engine when you get into 4th if you are shifting at 3K or less! As stated, these gears are not synchronized, you need to have the bike going fast enough for the next gear to be able to match up closely to the required speed when you come off the throttle for the shift.
T.C.

[Hawkins]

Happens to me now and again. I screw something up and she's temporarily stuck between gears. usually it's cause I'm being to gentle to begin with.

[DiverRay]

otherwise you could be lugging the engine when you get into 4th if you are shifting at 3K or less!

TC,
Sorry, but you DON'T lug the engine at 3K, or at 2.5K!! You are NOT in the power band, but with the vacuum system on the XS you CAN pull from as low as 1,500RPM. You will NOT have the pick-up, but you will NOT hurt the engine, either.

[cywelchjr]

TC,
Sorry, but you DON'T lug the engine at 3K, or at 2.5K!! You are NOT in the power band, but with the vacuum system on the XS you CAN pull from as low as 1,500RPM. You will NOT have the pick-up, but you will NOT hurt the engine, either.

I would have to agree with you. I have pulled from about 1500 many times in 5th with quite smooth running, no pinging or anything. I will agree also that it does pull far far better above 3k.

[Ivan]

Hey Sandy,

When I was in my tranny I did not see anything that looked like a synchronizer on these trannies, so I think Cy is on the path. Other thing I can think of is the shift return spring. Seems it would effect more than one gear, but stranger things have happened. JAT

You are correct. there are no syncros in our transmissions.

It could just be that he is getting the false shift. Hard to say. The grinding sound worries me, I hope it isn't more than just the clash of semi engaged gears.

[cywelchjr]

You are correct. there are no syncros in our transmissions.

Which explains the russian tractor like shifting.

[BigDick]

heh, (I told this story once last weekend, if you've heard it forgive me) every time I roll up to the base gates to show my ID and MSF card I shift into neutral and coast. When I drop her into first nearly every guard I've pulled up on kinda looks down like Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! Makes me giggle inside as I roll away thinking "Russian Tractor Transmission"

[Hawkins]

I would have to agree with you. I have pulled from about 1500 many times in 5th with quite smooth running, no pinging or anything. I will agree also that it does pull far far better above 3k.

That's what i love about this bike - it will pull from any RPM in just about any gear, but still it doesn't truly come alive until 4k.

[cywelchjr]

That's what i love about this bike - it will pull from any RPM in just about any gear, but still it doesn't truly come alive until 4k.

And when you hit that magic line, you better be well planted on the bike if you don't want to be watching the back of it receding into the distance.

[dgeoughea]

In the tech tip forums there are ones for adjusting the clutch at the engine, under that round cover on the right hand clutch case cover, just takes 2 phillips screws to remove it...see the tech tip in Maintanence for full details and photos.

I see the tech tips but other than the clutch assembly warning, I see no diagrams/photos. Am I looking at the wrong thing or something?