Klunk when shifting

[dbmb0416]

Question for everyone. She shifts fine just lots of klunks in the lower gears 1 2 3. Shifting down not so much. Is that a normal sound for her. First bike and nothing else to compare too. Sorry for sounding like a newb. Well I am.

[CatatonicBug]

As long as its a single clunk for each gear, yes, that is normal. It is said that these bike "shift like a Russian tractor".

[dbmb0416]

Yes only Klunk for each one. Thanks.

[mack]

There

is nothing you can do about the snatch going from nuetral into first, it's the design. BUT you can get rid of all the rest of the "klunks" moving into the other gears both going up and down by preloading the shifter.

[MaximPhil]

is nothing you can do about the snatch going from nuetral into first, it's the design. BUT you can get rid of all the rest of the "klunks" moving into the other gears both going up and down by preloading the shifter.

Hi Mack,
It's his first bike. you may have to explain preloading the shifter.

Hi dbmb,
Yes they certainly are "klunky". Make sure your clutch is fully disengaging and that idle is set to 1100 RPM. A little warm up but not too long at idle will help for first shift. Try running up to 3500rpm before shifting to the next gear using the clutch and a positive lift of the lever. Racing style shifts will come later when you have way more experience...and a different bike
smooth shifting takes lots of practice so get out there and enjoy your XS
Phil

[motoman]

Question for everyone. She shifts fine just lots of klunks in the lower gears 1 2 3. Shifting down not so much. Is that a normal sound for her. First bike and nothing else to compare too. Sorry for sounding like a newb. Well I am.

No pre-loading the shifter allowed as has been stated. Smooth shifts so no one aboard as passenger even notice it IS possible. How you mighr\t ask?Make each gear upshift using clutch and shifter at same time. Don't make shifts as in a standard transmission car which has syncros to compensate for driver error. Practicing that makes perfect and unnoticable shifts.

[dbmb0416]

I will try all. Thanks. Trying to get out as much as possible before snow flies. Msf course in April to get license and take her out more. Hard to find time from my friends to go out with our busy schedules.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there,

Welcome and congrats on your first bike! I'll add a bit more to what MaximPhil stated. These engines are relatively high performance ones, at least they were in 78-81, they like to be revved a bit. Also, the charging system doesn't really kick into full charge mode until at least 2500 rpm, so only going to 3500 is barely getting into the power they have....their power band just kicks in at 3500. SO...I say don't be afraid to crank the throttle a bit more and take it up to 5K before shifting when accelerating up to highway speeds, then you'll also notice the gears will more easily shift into the next one. But try to keep the rpms at least ~3000....depending on whether you're on the highway or local roads, you may actually have to keep it in a lower gear than 5th....that's okay, it will more quickly respond to a throttle change at that rpm, ie. having to quickly get out of the way of an unattentive cager!!

Remember, it's not a Harley, you don't have to go SLOW!!!

T.C.

[Radioguylogs]

...Make each gear upshift using clutch and shifter at same time. ...

I've often wondered if other folks did this like I do- clutch and shift at the same time.

I also wondered if it was harder on the transmission- I concluded it's fine because it seems so smooth.

I glad to hear my behavior might be normal - at least as far as shifting goes.

[dbmb0416]

Thanks for the tips

[dbeardslee]

is nothing you can do about the snatch going from nuetral into first, it's the design. BUT you can get rid of all the rest of the "klunks" moving into the other gears both going up and down by preloading the shifter.

What a hot tip this was! I've always had to give the old girl a second to think about it when using the clutch before shifting gears, but preloading the shifter eliminates that requirement. Shifts are way smooth and way fast, and it gets rid of that Russian tractor feel. Thanks, Mack!

[mack]

shifting

The day I took blank slate for a ride, I specifically demonstrated to him how smooth the shifting can be on an XS11. I've shown several people now and they are all amazed. As you've found out, it's not much pressure that is required in either direction so damage to the shift mechanism is not an issue. At least it hasn't been for me. When I restored my SF I had it all apart and looked at everything and could see no damage or excessive wear and I've been shifting it this way since 1979.

[motoman]

As long as its a single clunk for each gear, yes, that is normal. It is said that these bike "shift like a Russian tractor".

...........only for beginners C,Bug.

[motoman]

I've often wondered if other folks did this like I do- clutch and shift at the same time.

I also wondered if it was harder on the transmission- I concluded it's fine because it seems so smooth.

I glad to hear my behavior might be normal - at least as far as shifting goes.

Both clutch and shift at same time.....no hesitaion between the two........your correct, you got it.
fifty + yrs. doing this and never an issue yet.

[tomcos67]

Shifting....

I will try all. Thanks. Trying to get out as much as possible before snow flies. Msf course in April to get license and take her out more. Hard to find time from my friends to go out with our busy schedules.

We are in same boat.Get all the riding you can in before the freaking snow flies!!!Another good habit is Start in first clutch Depressed instead of neutral. Avoid that First clunk.(,read that somewhere here) I always started in neutral for some reason,not any more...Here's something to think about! When winterizing put 10w40 in ,,,so in spring when we can't wait to ride and its 40 degrees outside not so hard on engine as the 20w50....I broke my bike out in March ,rode with snowmobile suit.After last winter...Have a nice Oct....