Shifting into neutral

**BUBBLE** · 22nd November 2004, 19:08

Dont over adjust your clutch, it should begin to bite as the lever is around 3/4 out. If its over adjusted the clutch will slip under heavy acceleration and a clutch can be damaged rather quickly if its slipping.
Its quite common for some bikes to be hard to find neutral, particularly older bikes. Not normally due to wear but older technology. Its simply due to friction/drag between the plates, doesnt tend to matter if they are new or old.
Trying a different oil can sometimes fix it, experiment with heavier or lighter oils. Caution that some oils if too light can also cause the clutch to slip.

**sAsLEX** · 22nd November 2004, 19:24

the vfr is tricky and most of the time i dont bother trying to find it, my mechanic (KK cough ) said it is due to unblanced carbs :spudwhat:

**BUBBLE** · 22nd November 2004, 19:39

Yep, a motor that is revving too high will also be hard to find neutral

**Velox** · 22nd November 2004, 23:51

Originally Posted by BUBBLE

Dont over adjust your clutch, it should begin to bite as the lever is around 3/4 out. If its over adjusted the clutch will slip under heavy acceleration and a clutch can be damaged rather quickly if its slipping.
Its quite common for some bikes to be hard to find neutral, particularly older bikes. Not normally due to wear but older technology. Its simply due to friction/drag between the plates, doesnt tend to matter if they are new or old.

I like the clutch to 'bite' pretty soon after I start letting the lever out but are you saying this is bad for it?
And you mean under heavy acceleration just when you're changing gears right? As opposed to just under heavy acceleration?

My bike has had this prob for all the time I've had it aswell (3 years). I've given up being patient with it and just turn it off and then on again to get into neutral if I find I'm stuck in gear at the lights.

**Holy Roller** · 23rd November 2004, 02:08

Don't seem to have a problem finding neutral, my bike will find it itself when in first. I select first and if I have to wait a little time I go to take off only to find neutral has been selected. I find it helpful when coming home and haveing to stop to open the gate, just lean over the front and unlatch the gate and the bike is already in neutral so I can close the gate again without getting off.

**Cajun** · 23rd November 2004, 07:39

Originally Posted by Quasievil

My Bikes reasonably new and is a right pain in the arse to find Neutral, its well documented, its not a biggy though, gives me something to do at the lights.

Oh and Cajun stick your comments up yer arse lol

i won't say a word, but i never had a problem with my slick suzuku gearboxes, they are known to make the best gearboxes for motorcycles.

and well kawasaki, there gearboxs are just like rest of there bikes dc:<

**Hitcher** · 23rd November 2004, 07:55

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

After I stop, say at a stop sign or traffic lights, give way, etc. I shift down to first as I roll to a stop. Once I stop I try to tap it into neutral. I only succeed maybe 3 out of ten times.

Mate, you're riding a Kawasaki. Mr Kawasaki decided a few years ago to install a "positive neutral finder" on his bikes. The upsides of this are that you don't have to fanny around when stopped looking for neutral and that you don't (generally) inadvertently end up in neutral on your way from first to second (or vice versa). The downside is that you can't easily go neutral hunting while rolling.

**Devil** · 23rd November 2004, 08:07

Depending on your particular gear box, if you're stuck in first and cant get neutral, try walk the bike forward 6 inches and try again. Sometimes if shit isnt lined up problem inside the bike it just wont go in.

**Quasievil** · 23rd November 2004, 08:20

Originally Posted by Cajun

i won't say a word, but i never had a problem with my slick suzuku gearboxes, they are known to make the best gearboxes for motorcycles.

and well kawasaki, there gearboxs are just like rest of there bikes dc:<

Its okay mate, I still know that you and your gixxer generally eat MY DUST on the rides weve been on, so I can take it mate

**Quasievil** · 23rd November 2004, 08:21

Originally Posted by Cajun

i won't say a word, but i never had a problem with my slick suzuku gearboxes, they are known to make the best gearboxes for motorcycles.

and well kawasaki, there gearboxs are just like rest of there bikes dc:<

not that your bike has been out of first gear yet anyway !!!

**Blakamin** · 23rd November 2004, 08:46

How exactly does the "positive neutral finder" work??? all i can find is sales bs..

**Cajun** · 23rd November 2004, 08:46

Originally Posted by Quasievil

not that your bike has been out of first gear yet anyway !!!

pfft 125kms in first gear, had mine just over 250km/h so far,

**scumdog** · 23rd November 2004, 09:01

I find it best to go for neutral while rolling to a stop, even rolling forwards at a slow walking pace makes it heaps easier.
Mind you at the lights I don't bother, leave it in first and be ready to go.