Gears always catch while shifting

Brettmn

Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Messages
6
Location
Twin cities
So.... I'm wondering if I should be concerned. While shifting my bike more times than not the gears tend to catch somewhat. If I let the rpms drop it's usually much smoother. The bike has 37k on the clock.
 
It sounds like either your clutch master or slave has some air in it, or the less likely thing is you have some notched or worn clutch fingers. Air in the clutch line would cause inadequette travel of slave cylinder, and this causes partial (or sometimes no) disengagement. Since your bike has 37k clutch basket wear shouldn't be an issue but you never know. If you have no leaks at the lever or at the slave cylinder I would flush the clutch with some dot 4. You may also consider going the full rebuild with new master and slave cylinder seals if the fluid looks terrible since you would be doing the flush anyways, but better to keep it simple.
 
If you are new to the bike, it might just be you getting used to a new shift.
Search on pre loading gear shift, it's a technique which can smooth out the change considerably.
Hope it helps,
Upt'North.
 
Into 1st and from 1st>2nd is always going to be the roughest change, especially when the oil is cold. Make sure the gearchange push/pull rod is lubricated at the joints...

Roger.
 
If your clutch fluid is the color of molasses you need to change it. As others have said 1st to second gear or second to first has a loud clack when cold.
 
The ST's shifting action responds well to synthetic motor oil. My ST's shifting was noticeably "notchier" using dinosaur oil, even when freshly changed, and would get worse as miles accumulated. Also the technique of pre-loading the lever slightly and then shifting immediately, positively and quickly the moment you pull the clutch lever helps a lot as noted above.
 
The fluid does look like molasses! Perhaps that's part of the problem? I will check on the pre-loading and try it.
 
Brettmn said:
The fluid does look like molasses! Perhaps that's part of the problem? I will check on the pre-loading and try it.
Click to expand...
That is the problem....do a good flush and clean the bottom of the master cylinder...there's a tutorial on this site....good luck....ff
 
And try altering your shift technique for smoother shifts. All bikes are different.
 
Oddly enough throttle play is a small part in butter shifts too. Too little and you can get some jerky shifts too depending on what free play your accustomed to.
 
I had exactly the same proble. The St 1100 shifting need to be kearned. For Me-- speed. you can not drag the shift out like a cruiser. I found I have to pressure the shifter same time im puling clutch in and quick.
 
Brett:

I have a suggestion for you, it is a very different perspective on troubleshooting the 'difficult shifting' problem you report.

It's quite likely that the linkage assembly between the lever your foot operates to change gears and the spline on the transmission that moves when you shift gears is dirty, dried out, contaminated with dirt, and in need of cleaning and lubrication.

Here is a link to a post I made about 15 years ago that has since been archived at another website - it includes some photos showing what needs to be removed, cleaned, and lubricated: Shift Linkage Tune-up. It will take you a couple of hours to remove and replace the linkage. Note that before you start, you will need two 12mm wrenches (not sockets, but open-end wrenches).

After I cleaned up and lubricated this mechanism on my ST 1100, shifting took a lot less effort and became more reliable.

Regards, Michael
 
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