CBR F3 Gearbox

[jimdaworm]

What are you experiences with these? From what I can tell on the web they dont have a good name for their gearboxes. I just notice mine makes clunking noises quite often when I change gear and occasionally goes into false nuetrals.

Anything I can do to make it better/quieter :calm:

[inlinefour]

alot of bikes do this, even the allmighty gsxr.

[jimdaworm]

True. I just never new it. I was reading its somthing to do with a wet clutch and not completely dis-engaging?? It that right?

[James Deuce]

What are you experiences with these? From what I can tell on the web they dont have a good name for their gearboxes. I just notice mine makes clunking noises quite often when I change gear and occasionally goes into false nuetrals.

Anything I can do to make it better/quieter :calm:

Check your chain adjustment. If it's too loose it can make it feel like your gearbox is about to stop working altogether.

Also disassemble and lubricate the gear lever and associated mechanism.

[James Deuce]

True. I just never new it. I was reading its somthing to do with a wet clutch and not completely dis-engaging?? It that right?

If you're getting clutch drag then you may want to look at adjusting your clutch cable. You should probably lube the clutch cable too.

[ben444]

Honda gearboxes are kinda bad.. they really need the engagement dogs undercut.. I've had issues on a Fireblade, NC30, CBR400, and CBR600F4.. where they won't stay in gear.. Whats the history of the bike?? Being thrashed/raced doesn't help them(usually the problem i have wit mine) :argh:

[Slingshot]

I'd suggest an oil change. It's easy to do and once you've done it you'll know that it's got decent oil in it and that it's been changed recently. I used the specific motorbike oil from Pennzoil and I was quite happy with it.

The basic maintenance stuff is normally one of the first things I do when I get a new bike.

While you're at it, I'd suggest that you pull the air cleaner out and give it a good clean (you shouldn't need to replace it) it would also be a good idea to pull the plugs out and clean or replace them and replace the coolant.

[jimdaworm]

Its not been raced that I know of. Last week it was serviced at Motorad.

This is the work from the worksheet:

New Oil and filter (Shell ADVANCE VSX4 15w-50)
Cleaned airfilter
checked plugs
balanced carbs and set fuel and idel screws
adjusted and lubed chain (WAY too tight apparently)
checked wheel bearings
lubed chasis and pivots
adjusted steering head bearings.

It never pops out of gear or anything... it sure is taking a bit of getting used to having sooo much engine braking after the RG 150 :devil2:

I might check out the gear mechanism sometime.

Anyone got a manual for the cbr f3?

[ben444]

don't think there should be nothing to worry about... just a typical honda gearbox then.. it would probably seem to be a bit clunky after a silky smooth suzuki 2-stroke one..

[Ixion]

Mate, take a BMW for a ride. You'll never complain about your gearchnage again

[Slingshot]

Anyone got a manual for the cbr f3?

I've got a copy of the service manual but it's 146Mbs. Pm me your address and I'll post you a copy on CD.

[TwoSeven]

Honda gearboxes require a unique style. Its just a positive slow shift. Pull in the lever, then shift, then release. Dont try and do a half shift where your pushing down on the lever at the same time as pulling in the clutch.

[inlinefour]

Honda gearboxes require a unique style. Its just a positive slow shift. Pull in the lever, then shift, then release. Dont try and do a half shift where your pushing down on the lever at the same time as pulling in the clutch.

Wise words there, wise words.

[Slingshot]

Honda gearboxes require a unique style. Its just a positive slow shift. Pull in the lever, then shift, then release. Dont try and do a half shift where your pushing down on the lever at the same time as pulling in the clutch.

I tend to disagree, I used to change like in the fashion that you described and had no problems with it.

I think gear boxes are a subjective thing, I've heard people go on about how [insert brand here] have shitty gear boxes while [insert a different brand here] have fantastic gear boxes. It really depends who you're talking too.

[TwoSeven]

The lazy half shift works if your not caning the tits off the bike, otherwise it requires affirmative action :)

Think of it like riding an old BSA :)

[jimdaworm]

Thanks for all your views once again :niceone: I think a style thing might help... Its seems to clunk less often when I change gear really quickly... maby I do somthing different when I change quickly :mellow:

Truth is I havent ridden enough different bikes to know what their gearboxes are like.

I think the suzuki was smother but then I guess it doesnt have to be soo strong as there is alot less power going though it.

It made me feel better when I was up the top of the Rumatakas before (For the first time on my new bike) and I heard someone pull over on a nice new looking gsxr 600 and change down with an almighty CLUNK :devil2:

[James Deuce]

Honda gearboxes require a unique style. Its just a positive slow shift. Pull in the lever, then shift, then release. Dont try and do a half shift where your pushing down on the lever at the same time as pulling in the clutch.

Bollocks. Like all generalisations there may be some truth to the rumour, but the CB400F2 I bought off inlinefour has the sweetest gearbox of anything I've ever ridden or owned. Slick positive changes, not a false neutral in the box, and easy to find real neutral.

[TwoSeven]

Normally I would agree with you. I've never had any problems with any cibbies i've owned/ridden - find them sweet as. But the last few months has seen me ride a few suzi's which has made me think about the shift mechanism. I find I keep missing gears on the dang things, and I notice that some other make riders find the same thing about hondas. So I suspect there is a unique style. Hence my comments.

[James Deuce]

I've owned 4 Suzukis and they all had brilliant boxes. But they aren't a patch on the CB400, which makes my R6 'box feel like a Buell gearbox.

[Jonty]

I have had no problems at all with mine. I have had no false neutrals that I keep getting with my old ZXR.

[awd]

The box on my F4i is quite smooth, never had a missed gear, ever, and neutral is easy as to get. The same could be said for my VFR before, in 35000km I got one false neutral. Having said that though, I've never ridden a bike with a clunky box or had shift problems. Maybe it is a method thing, can't really say.

[vifferman]

The box on my F4i is quite smooth, never had a missed gear, ever, and neutral is easy as to get. The same could be said for my VFR before, in 35000km I got one false neutral. Having said that though, I've never ridden a bike with a clunky box or had shift problems. Maybe it is a method thing, can't really say.
Yes, it probably is, in part at least.
When I bought it, the VFR had the sweetest gearbox of any bike I've owned. However, after a year of commuting and being thrashed by the serial transmission wrecker, it's not so pristine any more, which is why I bought the Evo Star Shift Kit.