Gear changes, what am I doing wrong...

**CookMySock** · 14th July 2009, 10:04

Originally Posted by GOONR

And the winner is..... blippin fantastic, much much smoother.

Good!

Originally Posted by GOONR

Letting it out progressively, not just letting go altogether.

I don't recommend doing this. The gear changes are smoothed out with timing the blip and the clutch release correctly, not by slipping the clutch. Keep practicing your clutchblipchange-dumpclutch until its dead accurate. Just dump the clutch - if the change comes out rough, alter your timing. The clutch is let out gently only for take offs.

Steve

**davebullet** · 14th July 2009, 10:35

I'll also add... make sure you have adjusted your clutch properly. Too much slack in the cable (most bikes recommend about 10-20mm freeplay in the clutch lever) and the clutch may not disengage completely. I've found the SV gearbox a bit clunkier with a maladjusted clutch. Take out the slack so it disengages sooner when pulled in and it:
a) makes for less clutch travel when down changing
b) removes the change into first gear clunk and other clunkiness when changing gears

Also make sure your clutch feels smooth. When was the cable last lubed? Might want to take it out and see that the inner cable moves smoothly inside the outer cable.

**GOONR** · 14th July 2009, 10:38

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Good!

I don't recommend doing this. The gear changes are smoothed out with timing the blip and the clutch release correctly, not by slipping the clutch. Keep practicing your clutchblipchange-dumpclutch until its dead accurate. Just dump the clutch - if the change comes out rough, alter your timing. The clutch is let out gently only for take offs.

Steve

Yeah quite a few of my changes are a still a bit rough but overall MILES better. I feel a lot more in control of what is happening now, that has put a smile on my face instead of a grimace. Guess I just need to iron it all out now. practice practice practice..

**FROSTY:Me** · 14th July 2009, 14:50

Couple of thoughts for ya.
1) The clutch might need adjusting,chain might need adjusting/replacing, Bike might need an oil change.--ALL or any of those thingsa makes for shitty downchanges.
You are welcolm to turn up here and I'll look ya bike over for ya and take it for a lil buzz up n down a sidestreet.
2) Its YOU - Upshifts are MUCH easier to achieve more smoothly than downshifts.
TRY THIS--sloooow down. Pull the clutch in -back off throttle---PAUSE
click down on gear shifter--PAUSE -ease clutch out -emphasis on EASE
If making the clear step by step effort suddenly improves the changes then hey practice and it will sort itself.
Im sorry dude as much as blipping might feel good its covering up not sorting the issue.

**GOONR** · 14th July 2009, 15:06

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Couple of thoughts for ya.
1) The clutch might need adjusting,chain might need adjusting/replacing, Bike might need an oil change.--ALL or any of those thingsa makes for shitty downchanges.
You are welcolm to turn up here and I'll look ya bike over for ya and take it for a lil buzz up n down a sidestreet.
2) Its YOU - Upshifts are MUCH easier to achieve more smoothly than downshifts.
TRY THIS--sloooow down. Pull the clutch in -back off throttle---PAUSE
click down on gear shifter--PAUSE -ease clutch out -emphasis on EASE
If making the clear step by step effort suddenly improves the changes then hey practice and it will sort itself.
Im sorry dude as much as blipping might feel good its covering up not sorting the issue.

Nice offer Frosty,

I suspect it's option 2. ME. I was intending on joining in on NASS this week but I don't think I'm gonna make it, will try though. Shame, if I'm correct, your offering tea and biscuits.. Oh and a garage. I'm going to keep on practicing in the quiet back streets of Birkdale for a little while, if I can't get it right I will take up your kind offer and pay you a visit.

Cheers.

**FROSTY:Me** · 14th July 2009, 15:16

ohh and dude one think for ya -some bikes no matter what ya do the change from neutral into first always clunks.

**GOONR** · 17th July 2009, 15:32

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Couple of thoughts for ya.
1) The clutch might need adjusting,chain might need adjusting/replacing, Bike might need an oil change.--ALL or any of those thingsa makes for shitty downchanges.
You are welcolm to turn up here and I'll look ya bike over for ya and take it for a lil buzz up n down a sidestreet.
2) Its YOU - Upshifts are MUCH easier to achieve more smoothly than downshifts.
TRY THIS--sloooow down. Pull the clutch in -back off throttle---PAUSE
click down on gear shifter--PAUSE -ease clutch out -emphasis on EASE
If making the clear step by step effort suddenly improves the changes then hey practice and it will sort itself.
Im sorry dude as much as blipping might feel good its covering up not sorting the issue.

Hey Frosty,

I slowed everything down, paused slightly between actions and eased the clutch out nice and even like, hey presto good down changes, no blippin required.

I guess that is how I used to change gears all those years ago, just didn't really think about it then, it just worked. With time I reckon I'll be back at that stage again and it will all just click.

**CookMySock** · 17th July 2009, 15:39

Originally Posted by FROSTY

as much as blipping might feel good its covering up not sorting the issue.

Nah that just covers an inaccurate change with a clutch slip.

a.) The clutch is not there to smooth out your gearchanges - people who do this eat clutches.

b.) Letting the clutch out smoothly takes concentration, so you better make sure nothing else turns to crap during the release, because your brain won't register it.

Steve

**Drew** · 17th July 2009, 15:59

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Nah that just covers an inaccurate change with a clutch slip.

a.) The clutch is not there to smooth out your gearchanges - people who do this eat clutches.

I have never noticed more clutch wear on a bike, and I ease the clutch out on down shift, and slip it to do wheelies now. As opposed to dumping it on down shift, and not wheelying at all in earlier years of biking.

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

b.) Letting the clutch out smoothly takes concentration, so you better make sure nothing else turns to crap during the release, because your brain won't register it.

Steve

By that logic, nobody should ever learn to ride, because the learning the mechanics take concentration away from the road.

**FROSTY:Me** · 17th July 2009, 18:04

Originally Posted by GOONR

Hey Frosty,

I slowed everything down, paused slightly between actions and eased the clutch out nice and even like, hey presto good down changes, no blippin required.

I guess that is how I used to change gears all those years ago, just didn't really think about it then, it just worked. With time I reckon I'll be back at that stage again and it will all just click.

YEP-What you will find is that as time goes on your shifts will get faster and stay smooth -PS thatll cost ya a chokkie fish

**Drew** · 17th July 2009, 18:05

Originally Posted by FROSTY

-PS thatll cost ya a chokkie fish

There's some fine print aye. Cant trust those bloody Australians at all.

**FROSTY:Me** · 17th July 2009, 18:10

Originally Posted by Drew

There's some fine print aye. Cant trust those bloody Australians at all.

NEVER HAVE I BEEN SO INSULTED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE--AUSTRALIAN--F#$#$##$ AUSTRALIAN --ILL GIVE YOU AUSTRALIAN BOYO #%#@#@@@%@#%#%$#
i MEAN FFS IF YA GONNA GIVE ME SHIT AT LEAST GET IT RIGHT--POMMY CAR SALESMEN --