4th gear missing using Rotella

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  • dontlikeoc
    Truly XSive
    • Nov 2009
    • 173
    • Alhambra, CA
    #1

    4th gear missing using Rotella

    I noticed that my fourth gear consistently misses. I am using Rotella 15W-40. The carbs are getting out of synch - the engine idles at 2,500 when the engine gets hot. (I lost faith in professional motorcycle mechanics. I just ordered the Carbtune synch gauge today so that I can synch myself)

    - Did anybody else have the same problem?
    - What do you think is causing the fake neutral at the fourth gear?
    - Are the clutch plate in need of replacement?
    dontlikeoc
    1981 XS1100 Special Edition
    Alhambra, CA
    Tags: None
    • CatatonicBug
      Master of XSology
      • Oct 2008
      • 6117
      • Clinton, UT
      #2
      Originally posted by dontlikeoc
      I noticed that my fourth gear consistently misses. I am using Rotella 15W-40. The carbs are getting out of synch - the engine idles at 2,500 when the engine gets hot. (I lost faith in professional motorcycle mechanics. I just ordered the Carbtune synch gauge today so that I can synch myself)

      - Did anybody else have the same problem?
      - What do you think is causing the fake neutral at the fourth gear?
      - Are the clutch plate in need of replacement?
      Doing it yourself is always a better idea. That way, you know it was done right. Mine increases the RPM's just a tad (maybe up to 1400) when hot. I figured it's because the tiny clearance passages are opened up just a little bit more when they're heated.

      That "fake" neutral is normal. It's because of how the gears mesh. I have to hit it just right to make it happen, but I have hit it a few times by accident. No big deal, really. If the gears are actually missing, you may need to do the "2nd gear fix" on 4th gear. I have had to do it on all the gears (4 different times ).

      Remember, these things shift like Russian tractors, so you really have to let it know you mean business when you shift.
      1980 XS850SG - Sold
      1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
      Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
      Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

      Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
      -H. Ford

        Comment

        • bikerphil
          Master of XSology
          • Jan 2008
          • 8736
          • South Flori-DUH
          #3
          When shifting from 4th to 5th, the transmission actually passes thru a "false" neutral, which is normal for it's design. Just make sure you give it a good positive shift between those gears and you shouldn't have that problem. It has nothing to do with the oil. My solution to ensure positive shifts was to move the shifter lever down one spline so it's a bit lower.
          2H7 (79) owned since '89
          3H3 owned since '06

          "If it ain't broke, modify it"

          ☮

            Comment

            • psycoreefer
              XS-XJ Guru
              • Feb 2008
              • 1557
              • Minden, NV
              #4
              What they said... make sure you really shift it, I sometimes find that neutral too. Man it makes me cringe when I have to bang it either up or down from that false spot back into a gear... that sound....
              1979 xs1100 Special -
              Stock air box/K&N Filter, MAC 4-2 exhaust, Bad-Boy Air horn, TC fuse box, Windshield, Soft bags, Vetter Fairing, Blinkers->Run/Turn/Brake Lights, Headlight Modulator, hard wire GPS power

              Short Stack - 1981 xs1100 Standard - lowered for SWMBO.

              Originally posted by fredintoon
              Goes like a train, corners like a cow, shifts like a Russian tractor, drinks like a fish, you are gonna love it.
              My Bike:
              [link is broken]

                Comment

                • bikerphil
                  Master of XSology
                  • Jan 2008
                  • 8736
                  • South Flori-DUH
                  #5
                  Originally posted by psycoreefer
                  Man it makes me cringe when I have to bang it either up or down from that false spot back into a gear... that sound....
                  Yep, me too, for sure. I try to pull over and stop, if possible, when that happens.
                  2H7 (79) owned since '89
                  3H3 owned since '06

                  "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                  ☮

                    Comment

                    • dontlikeoc
                      Truly XSive
                      • Nov 2009
                      • 173
                      • Alhambra, CA
                      #6
                      Thank you for your comments. I feel better now. My journey to finding out the true meaning of "This thing shifts like a Russian tractor" just began!
                      dontlikeoc
                      1981 XS1100 Special Edition
                      Alhambra, CA

                        Comment

                        • Ivan
                          XS-XJ Guru
                          • Jul 2008
                          • 2524
                          • Hutchinson KS
                          #7
                          If you ever dig into the transmission, you will notice the middle shift fork goes up to the mainshaft instead of down to the layshaft like the other two. The false neutral is when that middle shift fork doesn't make it all the way over. The best I can explain it is that shift fork is like a high/low range selector.

                          I kept loosing fourth, not false neutral but loosing it all together. Sounded like the typical second gear problem, but in fourth and would burn up the middle shift fork.

                          Found out the two other shift forks got put in the wrong place. i am really starting to loose faith in my do-it-yourself mechanic. Sometimes he misses the simplest things. He forgets to put my tools away and he keeps sleeping with my wife. Anyway make sure your fork with the #1 on it is close to the shift lever if you have ever had them out.
                          Ich habe dich nicht gefragt.

                            Comment

                            • dbeardslee
                              XS-XJ Super Guru
                              • Nov 2007
                              • 4385
                              • Maineville, OH
                              #8
                              I've noticed on mine that, if I try to shift too fast, it'll miss gears. If I hit the gear shift with authority and allow about 1/2 second before releasing the clutch it doesn't miss a beat. I'm thinkin' that's just the way russian tractors are supposed to shift .

                              Ich habe sowieso beantwortet
                              I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                              '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                                Comment

                                • ManitoulinLad
                                  XStremely XSive
                                  • Jan 2009
                                  • 358
                                  • Manitoulin Island,Ont.,Canada this is in Lake Huron
                                  #9
                                  Hey Dbeardslee: Thats exactly the way mine is especially from 1st to 2nd where I tend to shift fast - i was getting worried about the the gear fix thing - now I know its normal, what a weight off for the summer. This site is just great - always learning through others - Thx Dan
                                  '81 XS1100 LH - Midnight Special - been lookin' a long time for this one.
                                  1179 big bore kit, 80SG motor
                                  Rebuilt head, valves
                                  TC Bros Forward Controls (Brass Pegs)
                                  Tkat Fork Brace
                                  T.C. Spade Fuse Box
                                  Dyna Coils & wires
                                  Mikesxs shocks,controls,& bars (special)
                                  ISO grips with stelleto ends
                                  4 into 1 black Bassani exhaust
                                  Bridgestone Spitfires
                                  Tuned by Tinman905
                                  & a will to keep it.

                                    Comment

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