Shifting issues????

This is my first post on this site... So far this site has been very informational for everyone in the forums. Considering this is my first street bike and originally coming off of Honda dirt bikes 8 years ago so its been a while since I've ridden last. So please feel free to say maybe im just still a bit rusty with my shifting now.

But anyway i recently purchased a 87 VFR700F2 which is in dire need of some major TLC but I cant beat it for my first bike and only 1100 bucks later to get me riding this year before the winter comes and all is lost till spring. So i took it for a ride this afternoon seems to be in great mechanical running condition absolutely no overheating or any other major mechanical quirks. Only thing is, and maybe its just my lack of experience on a street bike It doesn't seem to shift into neutral very easily. Moving from neutral to first has no effect or problem. But downshifting back into neutral i constantly seem to go right by neutral and into first at a light. kinda aggravating in my opinion that i cant feel the neutral gear. But since most of my experience was on older 4 stroke trail bikes which had a definite shifting feel when you shifted. Could be just a lack of feel for a larger bike than what i used to ride but id imagine a bike is a bike..


Just wondering if it was just me or is this a normal issue with this bike... Or am i doing something wrong all together and you all can have a good laugh with me about this...:biggrin:

thanks a lot for anyone's input,
Anthony

 

"Just wondering if it was just me or is this a normal issue with this bike... Or am i doing something wrong all together and you all can have a good laugh with me about this..."


Well yes to all. The trans is a bit of a PITA to find neutral. It takes a talented toe to fine neutral. From second to neutral it takes just a small touch to pop it in. Any thing more and you go right by it, in to first. Same coming up from first to neutral. With more practice your percentages of finding neutral when you want will increase. You will never hit a 100%. The bike won't let you.

It's been that way for me since 85 when I first got mine back on the road. You'll get the feel for it.

 

Monkeyman, welcome aboard.

I assume you are shifting into neutral from second when completely stopped.

Have you tried it while rolling very slowly just before a complete stop?

Also, if you are having any problem in your upshifts put a little upward pre-load
with your foot.

This was a racing trick I learned a long time ago that made for quicker shifting.

Today, I am sure almost everyone does it.

Eventually it will all become second nature.

Carry on ~

 

usually from second on a complete stop just coming down from a downshift...

every other gear has no issues and is smooth as a baby's bottom..

the only way i have been able to shift it into nuetral is when the bike is turned off in 1st and then turned back on then i am able to shift from first to nuetral. But like i said prior im sure its a different animal in all compared to the 4 stroke dirtbikes I am used to. Seems kinda finiky shifting on the street condidering all the factors involved. Thanks for the two replies.

Anthony

 

Just in case you need parts here is one of the best ,although they are in Holland the services is great
http://images.cmsnl.com/img/partsli...2-interceptor-1987-us_bighu0281e1400_7e1d.gif

and I posted the innards of your shuft drum & trans .

Hope this helps, as it may be a sticky shift shaft spndle,(wd40 and 300 scocthbrite to polish the shaft.)

 

I seem to find neutral when taking off from a light

 

pull off the.cover.just.behind.the.shift.lever.and.check.for.either.of.2.broken.springs........not.hard.to.do.


(# 18 or# 17 or# 15 in diagram above)

 

thanks will do

Been away all week long without any chance to work on my bike... horrible job keeps me away. But i will check it out tomorrow see if there is anything broken in there. thank you very much for the diagram and information. Ill keep you all posted.

 

If spring #17 is broke it won't shift at all. It would be stuck in what ever gear it was in when it broke.

 

Clutch

If the cutch is dragging it will make shifting difficult. Clean and bleed circuit and see what happens.Would be my first step.:thumbsup: