clutch 1st gear

[rknef777]

hi y'all,  got a question thought I might get some input. 99 tourer, best bike ever ,  but 1st gear starting to give me some issues.  first all I do have forward controls which I absolutely love. spend 90 % of my time on the forward controls.  but all that linkage does create some issues, have to keep things adjusted so it does not get sloppy. problem is lately when downshifting back into 1st it won't easily drop into gear.
kind of slides on the gears until it drops in.  better when I'm not using forward controls but still having
some issues.  I just changed  the fluids and all the other gears shift like butter.  not near an issue going from 1 to 2. seems mostly when downshifting back into 1st.  I'm thinking of changing the clutch plates this winter, along with lots of other things,  shocks, springs, 4 degree timing.  Anyway sorry for long post but does anyone have any suggestions.?  Thanks Rich.

[old2soon]

I do NOT have forward controls. BUT the Valkyrie MUST be shifted with a LOT of authority. Other than that! RIDE SAFE.

[gordonv]

I came from a Honda CM400 and my ACE Tourer VT1100T (Shadow 1100) both with heel/toe shifter, and just loved them (once I got used to using them). Easier on my toes pushing down, rather than lifting the shifter up, also allowed me to drive with dress shoes on.

Got my Valkyrie IS. Bought the forward controls, installed, and went for a drive on the weekend. 3 days later, removed and sold them. I had so many missed shifts, and binding.

I found out later, that there might have been some adjustment issues, but I didn't see anything to adjust. I felt that the arm that went over the OEM shift pedal, was binding on the rubber. In retrospect, I should have removed the rubber so there would be a hard surface to slid on instead.

[rknef777]

Thanks guys,  yea I also have the heal toe shifter and your right, the rubber sleeve moving the primary shifter is not the best mechanically. I'm working on something for that that would take out even more slack.  Anybody changed the cluch plates?  how hard to do and would that make any difference..

[pancho]

When I started putting some miles on my bike, I also had questions about the one/two shift and received no satisfactory solutions....  I changed from soft cowboy boots to steel toe boots for riding, and over time do not notice the "problem" anymore.  I think the 1/2 shift anomalies are just the nature of the beast.


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,55979.0.html

[rknef777]

 I agree. but would still like to know about the clutch plates and what that might do to help or not.
I saw a set on eBay and there not that expensive but not sure exactly what that would do for me, if anything. 

[Icelander]

I would think that if you were having clutch problems, you'd be feeling this condition in more than just first gear. If the clutch is not slipping, I'd be inclined to not make more work for yourself.
Have you tried adjusting the clutch cable? Could you have stretch there?

I've only had my '98 Tourer for a few months. I too find first gear to be a bit temperamental. I've tapped the shifter at a light, seen the neutral light go out and still discovered that she's not in first. Also had it in first and couldn't find neutral to save my life a couple of times.

I'd focus on the cable and the slop in the shifting assembly before I'd be replacing clutches.

Just my two cents.

Kendall

[specialdose]

 
             I followed a thread maybe a month ago about clunk no clunk. My 98 " fast black " tourer clunks. So does my 73 Z1 Kaw.
         I understand they both have straight cut gears. I have started using a tactic some one in the previous thread suggested.
         That is to apply a bit of pressure to the shifter before pulling in the clutch. It is a fine line or you will just dead shift the
         gear. I pretty much do it now without thinking and it does make a difference. Down shifting just blipping the throttle to
         bring the R's up virtually no clunk and smooth as butter. I use synthetic oil and yes a lot of authority on shifts.

[R J]

hi y'all,  got a question thought I might get some input. 99 tourer, best bike ever ,  but 1st gear starting to give me some issues.  first all I do have forward controls which I absolutely love. spend 90 % of my time on the forward controls.  but all that linkage does create some issues, have to keep things adjusted so it does not get sloppy. problem is lately when downshifting back into 1st it won't easily drop into gear.
kind of slides on the gears until it drops in.  better when I'm not using forward controls but still having
some issues.  I just changed  the fluids and all the other gears shift like butter.  not near an issue going from 1 to 2. seems mostly when downshifting back into 1st.  I'm thinking of changing the clutch plates this winter, along with lots of other things,  shocks, springs, 4 degree timing.  Anyway sorry for long post but does anyone have any suggestions.?  Thanks Rich.

I'd say it is the forward controls that are causing the problem.

Remember those gears are straight cut and they do work a little different from normal gears.   I have a heel toe shifter on mine and I don't have any problems.   I did have to change the shifter lever to a different model of Honda, forgot the name now.        Once I did that, no more problems.

Your clutch is just fine, leave it the firk alone unless ya just want to practice on it.    You can change all the innards out and you will still have this problem.   This is one reason the tranny will take a lot of abuse and just keep right on ticking.

Forward controls are a BASTARD to keep in adjustment.   Use them to go UP the gears and use the regular ones to come back down and see if this problem still persists on ya.

[Hook#3287]

What RJ said

How many miles on your Tourer?

I changed out my clutch plates when I replaced my broken damper plate. The bike had 30-35K at the time and now has 115K.

Didn't need to, just did because I was there and concern for damage from a "Rivet", which was unfounded.

The hydraulic clutch system has no adjustment outside of air in the system or low fluid.

Also, the wrong or too much engine oil will affect the clutch by causing slippage.

[houstone]

My experience is that I keep wearing out stock clutch levers and their bushings.  It's an easy check, 10mm socket and large common screwdriver, to remove the lever and check for wear.  It's pretty obvious once it starts affecting shifting, mostly in first...particularly if you try to start it in gear, since it won't engage the cutout switch.
Jeff

[hubcapsc]

I have forward controls. I use them all the time. Never have a problem,
and never have to adjust them.

-Mike "70,000 miles"

[DK]

I have the Big Bike Things forward controls. I could never get them to function reliably and took them off. There is simply too much slack in the linkages. I intend to modify them with Heim joints this winter and also add this device made for Goldwings:

http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16399&start=50

It will require some modding. I think only removing a "slice" from the long pipe spacer on the crash bar attachment bolt. The bolt - shifter shaft relationship of the Valk is the same as the Goldwing. They both use the same casting.

In the meantime, I'm using another Honda shift lever that is 1" longer and offset outward 1". It's a really good improvement over stock. It gives a more authoritative shift.

Any ideas on improving the function of the BBB forward controls would be appreciated.

[old2soon]

I have the Big Bike Things forward controls. I could never get them to function reliably and took them off. There is simply too much slack in the linkages. I intend to modify them with Heim joints this winter and also add this device made for Goldwings:

http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16399&start=50

It will require some modding. I think only removing a "slice" from the long pipe spacer on the crash bar attachment bolt. The bolt - shifter shaft relationship of the Valk is the same as the Goldwing. They both use the same casting.

In the meantime, I'm using another Honda shift lever that is 1" longer and offset outward 1". It's a really good improvement over stock. It gives a more authoritative shift.

Any ideas on improving the function of the BBB forward controls would be appreciated.

     Got a part # for the shift lever with 1" longer and 1" more offset? T I A.  RIDE SAFE.

[DK]

See thread:  "Shift lever options sought" or search generally: extended shift lever for other ideas.

Order info:

124701-MAT-000     Src:  HO    Cat.:  HHP    PEDAL, GEARSHIFT    $49.90

Send email address & I'll forward pics of mine installed.

I love it. Bought mine at local dealer. Found it 10.00 or so cheaper on line but can't find it again.

I'm new to forum & don't have 3rd party location to link to pictures yet.

Contact info:
Dan Kennett
kennett.dan@gmail.com
501-541-0046
Little Rock