Clunking noise when shifting

[rickybeaver]

Hi,my 80xs1100 clunks pretty hard when shifting.Is this normal or should I be concerned. I also have an 03 650 V-Star and don't notice it being that noisy.Thanks:Rick

[jaimes-duran]

These bikes are known for that! They have very clunky transmissions. I know that that v-star shifts a lot smoother. I would only be concerned if you have gear slip or trouble getting it in to gear. Usually the biggest clunk is getting it into first and then a little through the rest.

[CaptonZap]

Yep, and the middle drive probably whines in 4th and 5th. CZ

[natemoen]

Some describe it as shifting like a Russian tractor (apparently they shift hard). So yeah, as stated its normal.

[latexeses]

Don't be timid when you shift. Shift like you mean it. As has been said here before "they shift like a Russian tractor".

[crazy steve]

Don't be timid when you shift. Shift like you mean it..

Can't stress that enough; it's my opinion that many of the tranny problems these are known for are from not being 'positive' when shifting and failing to fully engage the next gear. That leads to them popping out of gear, and before you know it, you're doing the dreaded 'dremel fix'....

[rickybeaver]

Clunky Shifting

Thanks for all your comments. At least I know it is normal and not necessarily me or the bike.Rick

[fredintoon]

Hi,my 80xs1100 clunks pretty hard when shifting.Is this normal or should I be concerned. I also have an 03 650 V-Star and don't notice it being that noisy.Thanks:Rick

Hi Ricky,
I was the first to post "it shifts like a Russian tractor" right after I got my XS11SG and joined this list.
Not silky-smooth like my XS650 at all and they came out of the same factory fer Chrissake?
Not to mention that the XS11 motor turns backwards.
Why?
Because they used a Hyvo chain instead of paired gears for the primary reduction and didn't want to change the XS750/850 transmission design.
But I digress.
If it clunks into all 5 and don't jump out of any, be happy!

[planedick]

Backwards motor

The engine turns backwards to offset the tendancy for the rear to raise up under hard excelleration. It is the only type of inline engine shaft drive bike that won't do that. Goldwings don't so much because the crankshaft isn't crosswise in the frame so the tork is transmitted sideways instead.

[dbeardslee]

That's just the YAGES (Yamaha Audible Gear Engagement System) doing it's thing. Gotta pay extra for that on other bikes

[SFerinTEXAS]

IMHO you may have a problem and you may not. If my only bike was my recently acquired XJ I might be asking the same questions that you are. And based on the replies so far which are pretty much standard to this question I might assume I have no issues with the XJ. BUT I also have my 79 which shifts as smooth as owl poop with virtually no noise or resistance and hardly bears any resemblance to the usual standard description of of a common XS transmission . I,m definitely going into that XJ soon I hope with the purpose of making it as smooth as my 79. You really need to get someone who really knows to physically give you an experienced opinion. Just saying . Maybe there is someone close.

[bikerphil]

Once you get your hand/foot dance down, these bikes shift pretty well. Smooth transition of throttle speed is key. Some people claim that switching to a different brand oil will help smooth out the shifting. It also depends on the overall condition of the transmission itself.

I like that YAGES theory though.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Shift

Even many of the bike mag's that reviewed these bikes back in 78-80 talked about them shifting hard when new I have found the clutch is most important when shifting, if it drag's even a little, it will need to be fixed to get a smoother shift, especialy from netral to 1st, thats also best way to know if your clutch is draging. Onece in 1st, a expert can shift to 2nd,3nd,4th,5th without using the clutch at all, just syc the rpm, speed, force, shift. In the same way, good clutch or bad, the syc, timming and rpm skill will make your shift cleaner the better you get used to the bike

[79XS11F]

Both my bikes tarnys shift pretty smooth. Both also have good tranys with no dog wear of rounding off. I think positive shifting, proper clutch adjustment and use are important for these bikes. I do not recommend clutch-less shifting with these bikes. Given that many do in fact have trany issues, why push it beyond the manufacturers suggested use.
I would recommend that you check and adjust your clutch play inside and at the level as a starting point but do note that the tranys on these bikes can be noisy. Noisy is one thing, difficulty getting it to shift to the point of needing to force it often is another.
Rob

[CatatonicBug]

That's just the YAGES (Yamaha Audible Gear Engagement System) doing it's thing. Gotta pay extra for that on other bikes

So, has anyone invented a YAGES eliminator yet?