2nd and 4th feel crunchy

[rangerguy302]

Latley I've noticed gears 2 and 4 feel like they are bouncing off the teeth when shifted. I do NOT normally shift with out the clutch but when I tried it the bike will not go to second, but going into 4th is smooth. Is this a preamble to the second gear needing to be under cut as shown in the maintenance/mod area of the site? Can it be done without gutting the motor?

[bikerphil]

I would try adjusting the clutch first and see if that helps and make sure the cable is operating smooth.
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[motoman]

Latley I've noticed gears 2 and 4 feel like they are bouncing off the teeth when shifted. I do NOT normally shift with out the clutch but when I tried it the bike will not go to second, but going into 4th is smooth. Is this a preamble to the second gear needing to be under cut as shown in the maintenance/mod area of the site? Can it be done without gutting the motor?

Would first re-adjust the clutch, and that adjustment is behind the right side cover plate where clutch cable goes into housing. Aside from that, shifting these ole' tractor trannies smoothly requires lots of practice and finesse, specially the second gear upshift. Not making a habit of using the clutch for shifts will just end up requiring the shift engagement "dogs" to be ground square edged again THAT much sooner.

[rangerguy302]

Clutch ajusted with no change. 2nd and 4th still feel crunchy, all the other gears feel smooth.

[skids]

IMO, shifting at higher rpms can be more likely to "miss shift." My advice is to use the clutch and don't take it much above 5Krpms for up-shifting.

[rangerguy302]

I agree with you skids, can say I've never wound the piss out of it messing around but it's not common. Nor is shifting without the clutch. It doesn't matter how fast I'm going, or how high I've got the battleship wound up. 2nd and 4 feel like they are bouncing off teeth or the dogs. I'm worried about a transmission failure and would like to catch it before it decides it's ok to explode on the interstate. The last time I really wound it up in 2nd it popped out of gear at about 6500rpm. That happened last season so I've not done that again. Ajusted the clutch as instructed, cable is free and smooth, just want to catch the issue before it's an apocalyptic event.

[skids]

I agree with you skids, can say I've never wound the piss out of it messing around but it's not common. Nor is shifting without the clutch. It doesn't matter how fast I'm going, or how high I've got the battleship wound up. 2nd and 4 feel like they are bouncing off teeth or the dogs. I'm worried about a transmission failure and would like to catch it before it decides it's ok to explode on the interstate. The last time I really wound it up in 2nd it popped out of gear at about 6500rpm. That happened last season so I've not done that again. Ajusted the clutch as instructed, cable is free and smooth, just want to catch the issue before it', slow way down before yous an apocalyptic event.

I will say that "false neutrals" are possible between the upper gears. If it happens, slow down with the clutch pulled before down shifting to correct. I think that if your issue is an intermittent thing, it might not be a critical problem. If the dogs/slots disengage whenever you go to high torque, you should maybe get after the undercutting process. You will not likely have a catastrophic transmission event (I don't think) by riding your bike. If you experience the clackity-clack you have to know that rapid wear is occurring. Do not try to hold the shift peg with force to attempt to hold it in gear or you all have more problems. I have not had to undercut any of the dogs/slots for the 4 xs11s that I have owned. Maybe I have been lucky.

[bikerphil]

Can it be done without gutting the motor?

Yes, the gears you will be servicing are on the countershaft which can be removed thru the oil pan, splitting the cases is not necessary.

[DiverRay]

I would see if you can find a "good" transmission from andreas or ebay. You may find the shift forks are bent or worn, as well as the dog problems on the gears.

[3Phase]

Danger, Will Robinson!

I would see if you can find a "good" transmission from andreas or ebay. You may find the shift forks are bent or worn, as well as the dog problems on the gears.

Ray, you already found out the fun way about weird transmission problems at speed!

Ranger -- fix the transmission and don't just keep riding it. There's a bizarre combination of wear and who-knows-what-the-heck that can put the transmission into two gears at the same time and lock up the driveline.

The clutch still works when that happens but it only disengages the engine from the transmission, the driveline and the rear wheel stay locked while you slide to a truly spectacular screeching stop.

[motoman]

I agree with you skids, can say I've never wound the piss out of it messing around but it's not common. Nor is shifting without the clutch. It doesn't matter how fast I'm going, or how high I've got the battleship wound up. 2nd and 4 feel like they are bouncing off teeth or the dogs. I'm worried about a transmission failure and would like to catch it before it decides it's ok to explode on the interstate. The last time I really wound it up in 2nd it popped out of gear at about 6500rpm. That happened last season so I've not done that again. Ajusted the clutch as instructed, cable is free and smooth, just want to catch the issue before it's an apocalyptic event.

I believe you have the beginning of the notorious second gear issue. As those engaging dogs edges get worn somewhat rounded edges, tranny will start popping out of gear under heavy torque loads.
As 3phase stated, you may wanna remove that lower shaft assembly, remove those gears from shaft and square edge those engagement dogs back up. Not learning to make smooth shifts when upshifting or grinding sound of engagement cause this to happen over a period of time.

[rangerguy302]

That's what I'm scared of, I fo slot of interstate riding to get to work... Mabe I need to change the oil...lol

[3Phase]

Triple face-palm

Change the oil, right, why didn't I think of that....

[rangerguy302]

Glad u go a laugh, next I'll send the wife out for a can of compression....lol

[3Phase]

Glad u go a laugh, next I'll send the wife out for a can of compression....lol

Have her get a six-pack, that'll give you one for each cylinder and a couple of spares for road trips.