Transmission Abuse

BadBrad · 01-16-2007, 1:17 PM

How much abuse can my 919's transmission take?

Here's the background:

I just switched to HP4 (50/50 synthetic oil) to make the shifts a little smoother and it definitely did. So much so that I accidently shifting while riding the other day and grinded the gears.

I was taking off from a light (in first) and had my foot under the shift lever applying a little 'pre-load' pressure but it actually went out of first through neutral, the engine revved up to about 5000rpm and then started grinding second gear before i could grab the clutch.

Everything seems to be normal but does anyone think that this could have damaged anything?

FYI..synthetic does make the clutch slip in my bike particularly when cutting off the throttle at high rpms and using compression braking

fl-929 · 01-16-2007, 1:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadBrad

How much abuse can my 919's transmission take?

Here's the background:

I just switched to HP4 (50/50 synthetic oil) to make the shifts a little smoother and it definitely did. So much so that I accidently shifting while riding the other day and grinded the gears.

I was taking off from a light (in first) and had my foot under the shift lever applying a little 'pre-load' pressure but it actually went out of first through neutral, the engine revved up to about 5000rpm and then started grinding second gear before i could grab the clutch.

Everything seems to be normal but does anyone think that this could have damaged anything?

FYI..synthetic does make the clutch slip in my bike particularly when cutting off the throttle at high rpms and using compression braking

I wouldn't sweat it, but I generally get the answer wrong.

IMO don't bother preloading when shifting, you really don't need to.

ichsnoo · 01-16-2007, 4:54 PM

I would not worry, plus have to agree with fl-929 on not preloading the shift lever. Just decisively shift up as you roll off the throttle without using the clutch. However I would only use this technique from 2nd gear up.

Cheers,
Dave

Wockman · 01-16-2007, 5:00 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. After all its a Honda...

jhonda41 · 01-16-2007, 8:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl-929

IMO don't bother preloading when shifting, you really don't need to.

assuming the person has good timing of course.

Badbrad, were you trying to shift without the clutch or did the transmission just slip into neutral?

I use synthetic and I've never had this problem (and I have the grandma version of your motor)

Keep in mind if you're not familiar with this technique, that if you roll off the throttle while preloading the shifter, the bike will shift gears. At less than 5,000 rpm as you described, it wouldn't take much of a roll off to get the tranny to pop out of gear. If you're not assertive with this action it will fail to get to second (or other gears) and you get the grinding sound.

Sounds to me like what you've described. I've done that early on when I was learning how to shift and was too lazy to use the clutch. It probably didnt do any serious damage but keep in mind that anytime you hear that grinding noise... it aint good

I rarely use the clutchless technique under 6-7k... it almost defeats the purpose IMO.

-jh

fl-929 · 01-16-2007, 9:16 PM

I should add I usually use the clutch went putting around town. Track stuff or when the rpm's are up it's actually smoother for me to not use the clutch (when upshifting only).

longbreakdown · 02-23-2007, 3:02 AM

Sorta related question.... I just got an 06 cbr rr and I'm wondering about shifting into first at a stop. If i'm sitting at a stop, in N, clutch in, and shift into first there is this big (to me) "thump" when I shift. Is that bad?

My old POS bike never did that, so I just wanted to ask you all.

dattaway · 02-23-2007, 7:45 AM

That grinding sound is the gear dogs getting rounded down, hammering against the shift forks. Each time will make it easier to do it the next time. If done enough, it will pop out of gear automatically. Usually happens on the 1st-2nd, where the gear ratio/speed differential is the greatest.

Shift forks and new gears with square dogs aren't too expensive. Its the labor that's the killer.

*sinfuldragon* · 02-23-2007, 9:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longbreakdown

Sorta related question.... I just got an 06 cbr rr and I'm wondering about shifting into first at a stop. If i'm sitting at a stop, in N, clutch in, and shift into first there is this big (to me) "thump" when I shift. Is that bad?

My old POS bike never did that, so I just wanted to ask you all.

Mine does this too (F4i not an RR like yours though). Every other gear is fine, just shifting down to first at a stop sounds like you dropped a freakin anvil on the ground.

*Quick 26* · 02-23-2007, 10:49 AM

both of my cbrs did it so i guess the thud is normal. i have yet to pick up gears off the ground at a stop light so

slickwill · 02-24-2007, 10:28 AM

My F4i thumps pretty bad on that initial shift as well. Since I bought the bike basically brand new I just figured it was normal. I also have missed that 1st to 2nd shift and ended up with a little bit of grinding as well. It isn't something that I want to repeat but it taught me to make that shift much more decisive.

longbreakdown · 02-24-2007, 1:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinfuldragon

Mine does this too (F4i not an RR like yours though). Every other gear is fine, just shifting down to first at a stop sounds like you dropped a freakin anvil on the ground.

That's a very accurate analogy!

I was very afraid that I had done something wrong or it was a factory defect.

Thanks all!