Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech gear change clonk (cush drive )

Hi all, i have a problem with a clonky gear change on my 2004 TBA have had this problem since new.my Triumph dealer has replaced the cush drive that improved it, but it has now started to raise its ugly head again. i have read on the message boards some of you have had the same problem, if you did and triumph or someone has fixed it permanently could you let me know what they did so i can suggest it to my dealer and hope get it fixed while still under warranty. many thanks fellow Triumph riders.

herbz,
I can't say this is your situation, but they clunk in 1st gear till they warm up. Switching to Amsoil helped eliminate a lot of that noise on my '03 TA, but it is still a nature of the beast. If your noise is prevalent after warm up or in other gear changes, I would suspect a misalignment between the front and rear sprocket, possibly caused by your rear wheel being crooked. An improper adjustment of the chain could also be a cause.

Stay tuned, more learned minds than mine will be along with their opinions....

mine did this and my chain was too tight. i think the amzoil helped too. this i did on my own.. no dealer involved.
cat

wheel alignment scroll down

herbz,

I think a clunk is probaly normal. i've always had a clunk
going into first and sometimes other gears as well. I never worried about it because I've owned other british bikes and they all did it. I think my harley did it too, been so long ago I really can't be sure.

A lot depends on when it happens. If it's the first shift of the day, it is a normal trait of wet clutches and easily stopped. Just put the transmission in gear, pull in the clutch lever and rock the bike back and forth untill the clutch breaks loose.
If it is most of the time, but only when you downshift, try goosing the throttle a bit as you shift to synchronise the gears.
If only on upshift, try shifting just a little slower or quicker, one or the other may help, and make sure to back the throttle completely off.

Other things that might help, warm the engine up enough to be able to push the choke in at least half way. If you don't have time, keep it adjusted so that the idle speed is as low as you can manage without stalling.
Make sure the idle speed, chain tension and clutch adjustments are correct.

If it only happens on certain shifts, it is a long shot, but you could have a bent or badly adjusted shift fork. What happens here is that one gear doesn't quite disengage and it is then violently kicked out when the next one engages. This can be a bad thing, a friend from long ago had the gearbox lock up on his (then) new Brit Indian when he shifted to 3'rd gear at about 60 MPH.

Mine has had the clunk going into 1st when starting out. I found that operating the clutch a few times and holding it disengaged while warming up and then shifting into 1st gear, it goes into gear as smooth as silk. The dealer had to replace my cush drive also. I also have a small amount of clunk in other gears and going into 1st after stopping and starting out again. I have only a little over 1200 miles on my bike and going to change the oil to the recommended Mobil 1 syn oil. I have heard that or Amsol will also make a difference along with more time on the road.

Dave

Herbz, I had the same problem until I read a magazine article about gear changing. Upshifting, as soon as I release throttle I change up only letting revs drop slightly. Downshifting as said before quick blip of throttle normally does job.
I was letting revs drop off originally and started to think I had a gear box problem, took a bit of practice but ok now.
First gear smooth when cold, but once warmed up always clonks.
Apply slight pressure to gear shift so ready to change up.
All about timing.

good luck

Danny
TBA 04

I have the 2004 TBA, and I have this problem since day 1, it does get quieter though as the engine warms. When I first start the bike, I usually let it tick over so I can take the choke off completely before I ride it. Every now and then it feels like the whole bike wants to jump forward. Also I had a little trouble when I stopped at traffic lights and had hit neutral, it was a bu**er to find first gear, I must admit now I find it a lot easier. Just over 2000 miles on the clock.

I've always had that clunk. It got worse when I switched to Amsoil. Most of the guys who switched think Amsoil is a better oil. I'm going back to over priced Mobil 1.

My '04 TBA does the same. I use Amsoil.

Someone told me on the forum last year to just slam it into 1st gear and don't worry about.
So, I followed that advise and have come to enjoy the sound.

Clonk.

Mine clunks also in first when it is cold. Work the clutch a bit before you put it first .After it is warmed up it is smooth, every once in a while it might clunk upshifting but I think thats just me and traffic situations at the time. 6600 miles and climbing.

Many thanks for all your helpfull tips on my clonky gear change, any more advice would still be of great help. it is nice for fellow Triumph riders to help with problems others may have, many thanks again . and hay who should know better, since it is us that ride these cool bikes.

Hi Herbz,

Quote:

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...my Triumph dealer has replaced the cush drive that improved it, but it has now started to raise its ugly head again.

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Cush drive?

Want to check IT? Grab holt of your rear sprocket and try to rotate it clockwise or counter-clockwise. That is the play in your cush drive. The cush drive is a series of rubbers contained between the rear axle and the chain ring housing. Think of concentric circles. To get to it you have to remove the chain ring. I am considering replacing mine soon, but in so doing I will most likely have to rebalance my rear wheel as well.

I was told that the correct play in the cush drive is determined by each owner's individual preferences. Think about what they say to u about physical trama. If it hurts call us. How will I know you ask? You WILL know!

Pre-infopop member Arnie had a world of hurt going on with his,

Quote:

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...Mine has a total of 1.5 inches play!!!...

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From the Archives: Cush Drive Woes

that would be caue most bikes DO make a chunk/thunk sound when going into gear. ever heard a Victory or a harley? Our bikes are much quieter and feel good.

My 2004 TBA Clonks as well. Mostly going into first. My Harley did the same. Only problem I ever had was once when I couldn't get it to go into 1st. Ended up stomping it in and haven't had the problem since. Sounds like it's just a characteristic of the bike. The smoothest trans I've ever seen are the Suzuki's.

I think I like the clonk though. helps me remember what gear I'm in!

matt,
I haven't had any experience with amsol oil. However,I do know abut Mobil 1. I have used it my 1993 chevy blazer exclusively. Never had an engine problem, only tune-ups. After 150,000 miles my mechanic says it runs like new. Now he is sold on Mobil 1. With results like I've gotten I wouldn't say Mobil 1 is overpriced.

kennymc

As for oil. Redline synthetic is about the best I've ever seen. I'm not sure if they make motorcycle oil or not, I'm guessing they do. I'll certainly put it in mine just incredible products.