gear change notchy

[Speedy1959]

Hi all.
Since I first acquired this bike I have never been impressed with the gearchange!

Its better after an oil change but then a couple of weeks later its very notchy.

After reading recently on here about sticky clutches I am wondering if I have sticky plates..
My bike is used very regularly so in my case its not through standing idle!
The clutch lever action is very good and not heavy..
The crappiness relates to the action of the gearchange foot lever..
My bike has done 28000 miles..

[Andre]

Check the gear shift lever system. The joints and the bushing (that's a cheapo plastic thingy) wear out. There should be no lateral play. I replaced the joints and bushing, using better than them cheap originals, and gear change improved greatly.

As I am a picky SOB, I am still not satisfied as there is some lateral play of the gear shift shaft. I will replace some washers and springs at an opportune time. One of the springs has been reported to break. Replacing that spring as a precaution has been reported to improve shifting.

My take on the oil: Many oils, especially those who exhibit great properties in chemical analysis, are made from base oil that does not have great properties by itself. So a bunch of additives are dumped in by the manufacturer so it looks good on paper. It works great for a little while but the additives get broken down quickly (especially in wet clutch bike engines and that leaves you with a crappy oil.

[Speedy1959]

Thank you Andre...
I know I greased those small joints when I first got the bike.
I shall remove slave cylinder and check condition of piston and renew the seal.
I did the Hyabusa mod when I first bought the bike as well as replacing the push rod...
Though there wasnt anything wrong with the old one other than dirty !

[Andre]

Greasing won't save worn out joints Got new clutch slave assembly and push rod, rebuild master cylinder as they were needed (no clutch drag though just visually bad, could have waited to change these). Didn't improve shifting though.

[gsxbarmy]

Rubber or braided hoses Simon? If rubber, then would suggest its time to update to braided hoses, you may well find that the hose itself is flexing too much if still on rubber.

Also maybe consider using different type of oil - some oils are "stickier" than others. Halfords bike 10w40 Semi-synth is a good choice and comes in a 5 litre pack.

[Speedy1959]

Hi Dave..
Braided hoses EXCEPT clutch !!
Halfords Semi 10W-40 is allready installed.

Thanks for you suggestions.
S.

[Del]

Si if you can get it all stripped down and remove the actual gear change peg off the rear set - this bit gets well full of crud - clean it out and regrease with red rubber grease if you can - once done lovely smooth changing

[Hooli]

I soak that joint ^^^^^ with WD40/GT85 from time to time to keep the lever action smooth.

[Speedy1959]

Del, Hooli, Thanks guys..

Last night whilst about to set off for the Monday evening Bike meet in St Annes (Lancashire), I thought I wonder.....

I usually have the clutch lever adjusted for minimum span as I like the bite point to be early..
I have had the clutch set that way since I got the bike.
I set the lever to the opposite to have a later bite point which in turn means that the clutch is activated to a greater extent..

Guess what? The change was MUCH better...
I can only think that there must have been slight clutch drag and this caused the bloody awful quality gear change..

I do intend to replace the linkage joints and also grease the lever pivot (Thanks Del)..
I never imagined the solution would be so simple..
If any of you have errr interesting gear change quality then try altering the lever span setting. You may have a nice surprise !

[Snapey]

Gear changes are mostly in the timing but low idle revs make for clunky gear changes.

[Hooli]

I never even thought of the clutch lever as I only use it to pull away & change to/from 1st.