Bad oil?

[XmisterIS]

I recently changed the oil and put in halford's cheap 'n' cheerful 10W/40 part synthetic bog standard motor oil.

Since then, I've found that shifting from first to neutral when stopped at traffic lights is very difficult - the gear lever sticks fast and often I have to exert so much force that it pops up into second, then I have to kick it back down into neutral.

I know that the engine oil also lubes the clutch plates; do you think Halford's cheap 'n' cheerful oil might be the reason?

[Stu]

could possibly

but it could also be your clutch plates

try blipping the throttle whilst putting it into neutral

also does it do it all the time or only when warm?

[XmisterIS]

Come to think of it, only when warm. Sometimes it pops up into neutral with no probs, other times it sticks like a good 'un. It's only been doing it since I changed the oil.

[Stu]

you may have only noticed it since the oil!

you could try changing it but I suspect its not oil to be honest I had the same problem for 5 years till I changed the plates

[XmisterIS]

I would hope it's not plates because it's only an '07 plate, with about 25K on the clock now.

If it is plates, is that an easy(ish!) job?

[Stu]

yeah its an easy job but it will be the steel plates that will be gone and I would replace the friction plates too it cost me the best part of £160!! I did a write up on here

As I say drop the oil first and see if it is that as it can happen

if your doing a lot of stop start the plates will have a hard time

[Stu]

here ya go

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46930

[Chrissb6]

Hi, l will say that an incorrect drive chain tension can play hell with the gear change, have a good look around and check things over before you go out spending.

[XmisterIS]

Thanks both. I will do an oil change and see if that fixes it. I know the drive chain tension is fine because it is adjusted to within the spec given in the haynes manual.

[Guest]

Was it motorcycle spec oil? Car oil has different additives and not recommended for bikes.

[Stu]

Was it motorcycle spec oil? Car oil has different additives and not recommended for bikes.

 

Not this again!!

its all a load of tosh

the only ones you shouldn't use in a bike is ones with friction modifiers like magnatec etc

I use castrol GTX car oil in my bike and have done for the last 5 years with no problems at all

[Stu]

its a bit old but the same applies

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/oiltest1.htm

[mattycoops43]

What Chris said re chain tension.

Also, take your gear lever off and clean and grease the pivot. Believe it or not, that can make a massive difference if it is all gummed up. While your at it do your brake and clutch levers too.

[XmisterIS]

Plenty of suggestions to try here!

I wonder though, why would it be sticky only coming out of first and only when the bike is stationary. All the gear changes are smooth as soon as the bike is moving.

[Stu]

Because that's what warped steel plates do

It will be worse with heat too ie stuck in traffic with the clutch pulled in and bike in gear this is due to the fact that the clutch is dragging and the heat will cause the plates to expand

[BikerMooFromMars]

Plenty of suggestions to try here!

I wonder though, why would it be sticky only coming out of first and only when the bike is stationary. All the gear changes are smooth as soon as the bike is moving.

 

I get the same. Will be changing for proper bike oil soon too and see what difference it makes .

[Chrissb6]

Plenty of suggestions to try here!

I wonder though, why would it be sticky only coming out of first and only when the bike is stationary. All the gear changes are smooth as soon as the bike is moving.

 

I get the same. Will be changing for proper bike oil soon too and see what difference it makes .

Hi l doubt an oil change will make a difference, it's all down to a factor of things, gear ratios clutch slip - binding and engine rev's, as a rule first gear should only used to pull away this applies to most vehicle, as soon as your underway select second making sure you drop the revs enough to take the load off the gearbox. But really it's all about matching the engine revs against the selected gear ratio. If you are selecting first from neutral you pull in the clutch, what you doing is breaking the drive between the gearbox and engine, the engine is turning the gearbox isn't, the slightest drag on the clutch will cause the gearbox to clunk when you try to engaged, to reduced the clunk effect what you can do is slightly blip the throttle and then select the gear as the revs drop. Hope this helps give it a try.