Bike doesn't like neutral

2001 CBR929RR · 03-20-2007, 6:10 PM

I just bought a 2001 929, and it won't go into neutral while the bike is running. When the bike is off, you can get it into neutral, but one time I revved the engine in neutral, and it dropped into first. Th bike didn't go anywhere, the motor simply died. Any suggestions? It currently has conventional oil in it. Would synthetic help?

rokitt51 · 03-20-2007, 6:34 PM

I dont think that it would be an oil problem. Someone more experienced will answer this one. I beleive that you may have to adjust the clutch though. Possibly something to do with the internal shifting linkages.

dattaway · 03-20-2007, 7:22 PM

No kind of oil is going to play a significant factor in that malfunction.

If the clutch has free play, then you are free to blame the linkage. Has it been dropped lately? There's a little spring loaded pawl that rests on the shift drum. Does it feel like it has a chance to center between gears? That will tell you if your linkage isn't giving your shift forks a chance. Anyone sat on it and possibly rammed the shifter and possibly bent the shift forks? If one of those skinny little shift forks are bent, its an all out fun teardown project.

Sime · 03-20-2007, 11:12 PM

Check the clutch cable adjustment. I had the same problem with my bike. If the cable stretches, it doesn't disengage enough when the clutch disc is out (lever in). Therefore neutral doesn't come easy. My bike also felt like it wanted to creep forward in gear even though the clutch lever was all the way in.

Firstly, replace the clutch cable, and adjust it so that the clutch goes all the way out when the level is fully depressed.

HTH.

Cheers,
Sime

2001 CBR929RR · 03-21-2007, 7:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. The bike has not been dropped recently. I don't think my clutch cable has stretched; it feels like it goes all the way out when fully depressed.

What does having a chance to center between gears feel like? It shifts fine, as far as I can tell.

929AlltheTime · 03-22-2007, 1:35 AM

I had the same problem, then one day I couldn't get the clutch to disengage at all. I had to take it to a Honda shop. There was a recall on the clutch mechanism. They replaced all the parts free of charge. You may have the same problem. So get it checked out before the clutch goes while you are riding and you cause some serious damage to the bike or to a greater extent, yourself.