Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech loud shfiting

I have tried searching and I am either a numbskull or I just can't figure out which terms to use. I have a question regarding loud shifting. My 08 TBA is kind of a loud clunking shifter, particularly from neutral to 1st. Is this normal? Am I downshifting when revs or speed is too high? It also seems kind of loud if I am in neutral at a complete stop and shift to first. The bike had its first service at the dealer and they put fully synthetic oil in. Seeing how this is the first bike I have owned rather than borrowed and returned, I am new at this and I want to make sure I am not screwing anything up.

Thanks,

Rick

Every bike I've had has been loud to shift into first from neutral, sometimes more than others. If the bike's cold you can ease the first very loud one by putting it into gear when the motor's off, pulling the clutch lever and moving it a couple of feet, then take it out of gear and start it normally. This happens because our bikes (like most these days) have a multiplate wet clutch (something like 13 plates if I remember correctly, bathed in oil) and when cold the plates can bind a little. In contrast most (manual) cars have 2 plates (1 pressure plate and 1 clutch plate) which are dry.

As for shifting into first while riding, you basically shouldn't unless the bike is at, or very close to a complete stop. If you're doing more than about 5 - 7 mph use second gear or slow down and use first. Either way, the clunk is normal and isn't damaging anything.

Our bikes are designed to use fully or semi synthetic oil. Using mineral oil will contaminate your clutch plates. There's much discussion about which oil's best (you can search for the millions of threads about this) but basically as long as the oil meets or exceeds the manufacturer's specifications you'll get normal life expectancy.

....and it will quiet down as you put more miles on the bike.

Thanks guys. I feel much better.

Rick

I'm on my third speedmaster,this one is loud too.I don't think you have any worries.

Make sure your cable is tight enough to allow the clutch to fully disengage also , or you'll get a cluck and /or grind .