Noisy gearshift

Morning All

Just a question. I bought a 2008 800 about two months ago and am enjoying it tremendously.

I am just concerned about noisy gearshifts. I know bikes have sequencial gearshifts and are noisy but could wrong oil make it worse? The bike was serviced by the previous owner (Or someone he knows) and has new oil and filter installed. It is worst from second to third and third to fourth.

Marco

 

What kind of noisy? There can be a bit of a "clack" as the dogs engage, but even then that's only if parts are spinning significantly different speeds.

 

Sounds to me like gears engaging. I have read some posts here that talk about the same thing and the same symptoms. ie quiet when cold but much noisier when warm. Specifically 3rd and fourth gears?

 

I was having the same problem with my 1995 vfr750 for quite a while. I cured it by TOTALLY changing the clutch fluid. And now it is very smooth. Partial fluid changes do not work. I was amazed at the difference. Try it, you have nothing to lose.

 

My '09 also clunks pretty loudly when shifting, always has. I've run synthetic in it from day one, and changed the oil religiously. Clutch fluid was changed at some point. I've had a few different mechanics listen to it, and all of them said it was nothing to worry about. I think 6th gens just shift loud, for whatever reason. If a mechanics guru wants to chime in, I'd like to hear it as well.

 

Oil selection has an impact on my 6th gen (2002 VFR800) ... so YES, it can make a huge difference.

I would suggest trying the Shell Rotella T6 or the Shell Advance 4T Ultra. They made a huge difference on my bike since switching from Mobile 1.

I've always ran synthetics, but some seems to make the transmission operate far more smoothly than others.

ALSO .....

Make sure your clutch (and brake while you're at it) fluids have been changed. There's a good chance they've never been changed on your bike. I do mine annually ... full flush and refill. If the clutch is functioning properly, then it will shift smoother as well.

Finally, if you're speed shifting without the right setup, you may be damaging the dogs in the shift mechanism, this will over time cause the bike hard and noisier to shift on these bikes, especially 1st to 2nd gear.

 

Some people will say that "These VFRs just go forever... I haven't done anything to it and it's great, 1,000,000+ miles!"

But I didn't get one of those that came from the factory with the magical never-needs-maintenance package included.

My clutch master cylinder looked like this:


And my clutch slave cylinder looked like this:


Now, mine is a '99 and yours is an '08 so who knows?

 

Looks like that's the maple syrup holder...

 

Is that butterscotch pudding?

 

Thanks guys.

I have done the clutch fluid and front brakes. Have not had the courage yet to attempt the rear brakes!! But I am sure the clutch is working fine. Will try new oil because I don't know what the previous owner put into it even though it is still new oil.

Down here in dark Africa we don't have all the fancy oils that you guys speak about but I will try Castrol Magnatec 10W 40 which I use in my car also. See if that makes a difference.

Is there something special I need to do to see pictures GregInDenver up loaded because I cant see them? Maybe it is my work server stopping them?

Marco

 

I actually need to add checking my slave cylinder to my last of things to do. I think that my rear caliper is dragging the brakes. It's eaten the rear Galfer rotor down to 6mm in 8,000 miles.

 

Just make sure it has the appropriate ratings ..... oil for cars aren't always designed to work with clutches and transmissions on motorcycles.

 

It's definitely your work server. Now get back to work!

 

Read this, ESPECIALLY the section 4T.

http://www.oilspecifications.org/jaso.php

 

Thanks Lint

That is useful info. I have changed the oil now to the Castrol Magnatec I mentioned and the gearshifts are much better, although not perfect. I will check tonight if the South African oils have the same ratings as the ones you posted. I can also maybe speak to the Honda dealer and ask them what oil they use.

(Let me get back to work!!)

Marco