[Cherokee]

I'm a newbie just now. Gotta real problem with my 2000 VS1400. Had it a year now. Just passed 5000 miles. Upshifting, no problem. From 5th I pull the clutch in and hit the shifter to downshift and it goes right to the floor and stays there. No recoil to proper position at all. As I'm slowing I have a heck of a time trying to get it to budge. I can upshift back into 5th but eventually have to come to a stop at a light or stop sign. I rock it, double clutch it, even stomping on the shifter repeatedly (that seems to do the most good). I've had to start from 4th gear a couple times and everyone knows what a pain that predicament can be. I've had the external shifting mechanism cover off. The shift lever return spring, the shift shaft, the shift shaft gear and the toothed cam it meshes with , everything looks brand new. I'm a tech, but not for bikes. I'm not envying pulling the engine and having to split the case and then find it's something simple like an external adjustment. The bike is like brand new. Riding season has just begun. Everyone must know what it's like when your bike is in disrepair and the season is passing you by. Does anyone have any ideas or experienced this before? Any and all suggestions are welcomed (within reason). :neutral:

 

[oldgeezer]

Sorry, dumb question here, but when you shift, do you downshift at speed, for example, 5th to 4th at 50 mph (let out the clutch), 4th to 3rd at 40 mph (let out clutch), etc. Most bikes like to be downshifted at speed or they get real confused. If you are doing that consistently, then I believe you have an adjustment problem. Sorry, I'm not a motorhead and can't help you with that.

 

[Cherokee]

As a matter of fact I thought that maybe this problem ocurred because I was using the trans to slow the bike too much and that I had worn something so bad that now it was malfunctioning. Coming off the freeway I pull in the clutch downshift twice usually, and then let the clutch out. You know, to slow the bike that much faster using less brake. I've always been real conscious of sparing the brakes when I have to slow down from higher speeds.
Could I have worn something in the trans ya think doing that? Or do ya think it's more likely a simple adjustment?
Like I said, I'm open for suggestions of any kind.
And thanks for your reply. Your the only one so far.

 

[GLW]

I have a 2000 1400...and had a shifting problem with it and found there were 2 or 3 easy things to check....

Mine had Vance and Hines pipes installed when I got it used...turns out that the shifter got a little touchy with the pipe when things were cold... A minor adjustment of where on the little sprocket the foot peg was took care of that part of it.

I also found that road grunge could be in there as well. Got a spray on lube at a local bike repair shop...did a bit of cleaning and then re-lubed it using that stuff...again problem solved.

So...

first clean it up
Lube it up
Look for mechanical obstructions

with mine, it only happened in shifting from 2nd to 1st...

So...If it is not something simple like that, you are likely to have to open things up...not a fun thing to do.

 

[Cherokee]

You mean adjust where the shift connector tightens around the shift shaft? I was thinking of putting it back together and trying that before I tore the whole thing down.
Thanks, I'll do all of those things. I think it's just an adjustment too. Thanks again. Your input is very much appreciated GLW.

 

[stp1971]

Does it hurt the bike to downshift and use the engine and trans as a braking mechanism? I hope not,, because I do it alot,, I didn't think it would since in essence it is the same thing as downshifting to climb hills,, but then again I am not sure now.

 

[oldgeezer]

It doesn't hurt to use the engine to slow the bike. It puts a little more wear on the clutch but not that much. Remember, when you start to slow, lightly pump your brakes so the people behind you will see your brake lights and recognise that you are slowing.

 

[inspiron]

It won't hurt the engine as long as you don't downshift it into the red - if you drop down a gear and release the clutch to send it over 10000 rpms, this can hurt. If you are at low revs and go down one gear, it shouldn't hurt anything. I do this all the time - like geezer said, be sure to use the brakes too, so that the BDCI* behind you knows that you are slowing down.

* BDCI - Brain-Dead Cage Inhabitant

 

[stp1971]

Thanks for the laugh!!!

the BDCI* behind you knows that you are slowing down.

* BDCI - Brain-Dead Cage Inhabitant

I appreciate it,,, thanks for the laugh,, that is probably the first time I have had a good chuckle in a few days,, my grandfather passed away and haven't been that up in spirits lately,,, I will remember that,,, it has me still chuckling.

I can't wait to get home and just go for a ride tonight,,, I think it is therapeutic to just chill out and cruise. I do use my brakes also,, and I try not to over rev the engine,, just was making sure I wasn't screwing my bike up. THanks!!!!

 

[intimid8er]

my grandfather passed away and haven't been that up in spirits lately

Sorry about that dude. My condolences.

 

[stp1971]

Thanks,,, I appreciate that!!!