Just started having issues down-shifting from 2nd to 1st or N to 1st (2003 V-A, <5k miles). No new mechanical additions. Clutch fluid levels are good. It just feels mushy is the best way to describe it, but you really have to work at the shifter to get 1st to engage. Not having any issues with any other gears. HD is having difficulty replicating it when it matters i.e. the tech is looking at it. My service guy and I experienced it, but the tech can't make it happen. It's intermittent, but most often seems to occur once the trans/engine is heated up. Any thoughts?
Shifting Issue
Biscuit
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Just started having issues down-shifting from 2nd to 1st or N to 1st (2003 V-A, <5k miles). No new mechanical additions. Clutch fluid levels are good. It just feels mushy is the best way to describe it, but you really have to work at the shifter to get 1st to engage. Not having any issues with any other gears. HD is having difficulty replicating it when it matters i.e. the tech is looking at it. My service guy and I experienced it, but the tech can't make it happen. It's intermittent, but most often seems to occur once the trans/engine is heated up. Any thoughts?
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27,325 Posts
When you say intermittent and mushy how so? Do you mean it won't shift or when it does that the shifter feels mushy or do you mean the trans feels mushy in you don't get the solid clunk of the downshift?
02 and 03 models used early shift drums and shift forks. There was a running change in early 04 to a new kit 35017-01K shift drum, actu, shift fork. Usually the complaint was that the bike would kick out of gear such as 3rd or 4th and just go to neutral. I guess since a press fit piece in the shift mechanism was coming loose from what I understand it is possible I guess for it to feel mushy and warm was when the problem seemed to occur.
02 and 03 models used early shift drums and shift forks. There was a running change in early 04 to a new kit 35017-01K shift drum, actu, shift fork. Usually the complaint was that the bike would kick out of gear such as 3rd or 4th and just go to neutral. I guess since a press fit piece in the shift mechanism was coming loose from what I understand it is possible I guess for it to feel mushy and warm was when the problem seemed to occur.
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By mushy, I mean, when I am trying to shift down into 1st, it feels like I'm pressing down on a really wet dense sponge. There's like nothing there, and I can't get it to click into gear. I can sometimes see my "N" light pop on in my panel. Like it is passing through N, but it doesn't get locked in neutral or 1st. It stays in second. So I don't get the solid clunck of the downshift, because it doesn't shift into gear, but my confusion is that it doesn't happen everytime.
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27,325 Posts
It sounds as though your shift actuator is no longer tight. It is a press fit piece when new and it was the reason they made the running change in the 04, well that and to include heavier shift arms. You might mention the kit number to your dealer. I also know that with very low miles HD was taking care of some of these under a goodwill condition because it was a known issue and it is expensive due to having to remove the engine and split the cases.
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Thanks for your suggestions Max. Through those at my service guy yesterday. I'm picking up my bike today, but I'm a little suspect to their solution. Supposedly no issues; just needed "adjusting, cleaning, and lube". I hope it was that simple, but what I experienced didn't lead me to believe that lube and adjustment would do the trick.
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582 Posts
Me too
I have an 03 A with 6k miles on it.
I've noticed that downshifting to 1st is getting difficult. Sometimes I can feel the teeth in the tranny gears engaging (grinding) and it can take a big push to get it past neutral into first. Adding a little throttle tends to fix the problem.
Maybe the clutch cylinder isnt properly adjusted??? Any thoughts?
I'm seriously afraid of splitting the case... yikes that's like asking for trouble.. unless a big bore kit goes in at the same time that is! :angeldev:
I have an 03 A with 6k miles on it.
I've noticed that downshifting to 1st is getting difficult. Sometimes I can feel the teeth in the tranny gears engaging (grinding) and it can take a big push to get it past neutral into first. Adding a little throttle tends to fix the problem.
Maybe the clutch cylinder isnt properly adjusted??? Any thoughts?
I'm seriously afraid of splitting the case... yikes that's like asking for trouble.. unless a big bore kit goes in at the same time that is! :angeldev:
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18,957 Posts
I would lube the shifter and bleed the slave.
http://www.1130cc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62433&highlight=lube+shifter
http://www.1130cc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62433&highlight=lube+shifter
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30 Posts
All I can really say is that I was sure I was in for some major surgery on my bike. My service guy was a little puzzled, but a good tech finally got ahold of it, and just made some adjustments and lubed everything really well. I was out of the dealer under <$65. If I hadn't been so traumatized by what I was experiencing, I probably would have just did everything myself.
I'm a true believer in what Max said "Tony if they get dirty especially the shift arm itself on the foot peg they can do some odd things." I'll say based on my experience and the advise of the more knowledgeable people here; I agree with VRodG to just clean and lube and see where that leaves you.
I'm a true believer in what Max said "Tony if they get dirty especially the shift arm itself on the foot peg they can do some odd things." I'll say based on my experience and the advise of the more knowledgeable people here; I agree with VRodG to just clean and lube and see where that leaves you.
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