clutchless upshifting causing issues?

[3Phase]

So it is a bushing thing? I guess I have always been lucky with all 4 of the xs11's I have owned. Never had transmission issues. I always use the clutch downshifting (except getting home once when I had a broken cable) and nearly always use it upshifting. I did notice that gear meshing is better without the clutch if shifting at lower rpm ranges...

Have you looked at the 1st gear wheel? It has a large center hole with a bronze bushing that rides on a hardened steel bushing. It's to give it more stability and a larger pressure-oiled bushing/bearing surface area to work with because 1st gear does insane things with torque.

Most of the regular XS1100 transmission/gear failures are caused by exactly what Greg mentioned: clutch adjustment and slamming/banging into gears along with the infamous 2nd gear 'issue'.

"On later models...." Those'd be the models starting sometime in late '80 or '81, whenever it was that some genius decided the idler gear and its shaft had to go away, then continued for the '82 and later XJ1100s. If you don't have one of those later year/models then you most likely still have the kicker idler gear.

[skids]

Scott, I don’t doubt for a minute. What you said. I have just been lucky enough not to have any transmission problems with 2 78xs11E’s, an 81xs11H, and a 79xs11G. I use the clutch and will continue to do so except in rare circumstances during upshifting.

[3Phase]

After I fixed the stuff the POs did to their transmissions, I haven't had any problems with my bikes, either and I'm so glad you haven't had any transmission problems (there's always one ... U&&#$&#@!)

Back on topic: Yes! Clutchless upshifting (or downshifting) can cause issues! Don't do it! It'll void your warranty!

[IanDMacDonald]

The PO of my bike was an engineer, and had the gears CNC cut. I hope I don't have any issues with mine, especially after just refreshing with a bore, hone, and new pistons & rings.

[skids]

The PO of my bike was an engineer, and had the gears CNC cut. I hope I don't have any issues with mine, especially after just refreshing with a bore, hone, and new pistons & rings.

Ian, that is a great thing for you. Hopefully the steel was hardened.