Clutch lever / 2nd gear issue

Hey guys, I'm new to the VFR and to this forum. picked up a 95 vfr with 13k on it 2 weeks ago.

Every time i pull the clutch lever back to switch gears the damn thing hits my ring finger and pinky. (I only use my index and middle for levers) Is this normal on this bike? And it feels so much tighter than my old bike (03' ninja 250).

Second question, about 80% of the time i switch from 1st to 2nd gear, it makes a noise like "tuk tuk tuk" before the gear engages. like the cogwheel is a bit wasted and it engages the gear after trying the first couple of gear teeth..

any help is much appreciated. thanks

 

I think a set of shortie levers will do the trick. If you don't like your ring finger and pinky getting the squeeze when you shift shortie levers are the answer. Look on ebay for your bike, the ones from Hong Kong are about 50-60 shipped or you can buy some Pazzo's for 180.00. The Hong Kong ones are a copy of Pazzo's with pretty good quality.

Many threads about clunking noises while shifting, many different answers, but alot of them end up being a Honda or rider issues. Don't be discouraged when you hear it is normal for a Honda. Check out some of those threads for plenty of reading and opinions.

 

Shorty levers definitely helped on my bike....though I still tend to use 4 fingers to pull the lever.

I dunnoh what the Ninja has, but are clutches are Hydraulic and I have always noticed thay're a bit more firm then cable clutches. (IMO)

My 4th gen seems to need a Firm up shift from 1st to 2nd....it does sound a bit clunky....but not as much as some bikes I've ridden.

 

most ninjas have cable clutches. simplistic, but definitely functional. given how reliable my VF clutch feels, I'm not sure I'd ever go back.

if you're getting a noise in 2nd before it engages, thats usually not a good sign, EVER. usually, that indicates a shift fork, and/or actual gear issue on the dogs. I'd get it fixed NOW before it becomes a major issue.

 

Try preloading the shifter slightly before clutching to shift, see if that smooths out the 1-2 shift. Hows the oil? these bikes aren't known for it, but the shifting on some bikes degrades with old oil, especially non synthetic stuff.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, my clutch fluid reservoir shows the oil a dark amber color. I guess i need to flush it and put new oil? What kind of clutch oil do I need and how do I go about flushing the fluid?

After I flush the fluid and if the problem still persists I will take it to the shop and get it looked at.

 

btw the ninja does have a cable for the clutch... and I am planning on getting some pazzo levers soon so I will keep you guys posted on how it turns out with the levers.

 

Bleeding the clutch is just like bleeding the brakes, and I use DOT 4 brake fluid for the clutch.

 

It will say on the reservior lid what fluid to use, and it is brake fluid, since it functions exactly like a brake system to actuate the clutch mechanism.

 

Did you try to adjust your clutch lever so you don't have to pull it so far to disengage? the stock lever is adjustable.

 

thanks guys for all the help. After reading the manual I realized that I am shifting way too late in to second. I would let the first gear go up to 25mph or so before i shifted to second. but now i do it within 10-15mph and no sounds or clicks. I also changed the old dirty engine oil and put full synthetic mobil1. so maybe that helps too.

eventually i will get those beautiful pazzo levers...