Smooth shifting

[DougsZ28_imp]

Is there anyway I can get my gearbox to shift smoother? I have read somewhere that if the gears were cut different that it would smooth out the shifting instead of clunking! Anyone hear of this?

 

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

I've found that when I exaggerate the throttle blip (closing it futher than I do on some other bikes), I get a buttery smooth, silent shift every time.

I'm using the recommended Honda GN-4 10W-30 and have diligently replaced the clutch (and brake) fluids every two years. I'm at 36,000mi...

 

[LongRanger_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

 

[DougsZ28_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter.

 

[dave]

A loose or worn chain (with tight spots) will cause clunky shifting, even slightly loose. Keep your chain well lubricated.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

A loose or worn chain (with tight spots) will cause clunky shifting, even slightly loose. Keep your chain well lubricated.

The Tutoro auto chain lubricator will make that task essentially zero effort.

 

[jimgl3_imp]

don't use the clutch works also. forces you to rev match and take the strain off the gears before you shift.

 

[DougsZ28_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter.

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter. Thats the cure, I went to a 5-20 synthetic and it cured the problem! Thanks

 

[Houtman_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter.

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter. Thats the cure, I went to a 5-20 synthetic and it cured the problem! Thanks

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter. Thats the cure, I went to a 5-20 synthetic and it cured the problem! Thanks
I do not know your climate but 5/20 seems very low !

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter.

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter. Thats the cure, I went to a 5-20 synthetic and it cured the problem! Thanks

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter. Thats the cure, I went to a 5-20 synthetic and it cured the problem! Thanks
I do not know your climate but 5/20 seems very low !

(yikes) :huh:

That is different - especially for hot weather riding and air cooled engine?

 

[misterprofessionality]

i've been reading both of these threads and just scratching my head....my CB has always been ultra buttery on the up and down shifts. the faster you shift and the better you rev match the better it gets. I've always used the 10w40 synthetic, always kept my chain maintained, always kept my clutch fluid refreshed.

maybe it's a perspective issue? i've never had a super nice expensive bike like a goldwing or high end BMer, so maybe i just dont know what a truly "smooth" transmission is.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

The “high end” BMW RT that I have has a very clunky gearbox, while my middling F800GT had an incredibly smooth and quiet gearbox, just like my CB1100 did. I wouldn’t correlate cost with quality.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

i've been reading both of these threads and just scratching my head....my CB has always been ultra buttery on the up and down shifts. the faster you shift and the better you rev match the better it gets. I've always used the 10w40 synthetic, always kept my chain maintained, always kept my clutch fluid refreshed.

maybe it's a perspective issue? i've never had a super nice expensive bike like a goldwing or high end BMer, so maybe i just dont know what a truly "smooth" transmission is.

That seems to jive with my practice.

 

[Yata-Garasu_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter.

I think you mean 5w40? Or 15w40? Rotella doesn't come in a 10w40 weight.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

If you’re not doing so already, try lightly preloading the shift lever before disengaging the clutch. Then, when you’re ready to shift, disengage the clutch while continuing to preload the shifter and you might find the gears changing more smoothly.

(+1) for the LongRanger.

(+1) for the LongRanger. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Yeah, I would say it has by far the biggest impact on improved smoothness.

A secondary change for myself was the oil:

Motul 5100 or Rotella T6 10W40.

Hard to describe, but smoother than a blunt hot knife sliding down a brick of fresh, farm dairy butter.

I think you mean 5w40? Or 15w40? Rotella doesn't come in a 10w40 weight.

I think you mean 5w40? Or 15w40? Rotella doesn't come in a 10w40 weight.
Yes, you are correct Yata-G. I did mean 10W40 Motul 5100, or 5W40 Rotella T6.