shifting issues

[jimmytee]

I wasn't sure how to title this post. When I'm shifting through the gears,mainly from 1st to second, I sometimes have trouble. If I don't let the throttle off, I'll get some slight grinding. If I consciously watch the shifting and clutch I can avoid,for the most part,this and get a smooth shift. However, on more than one occasion, I've found myself missing the shift to second when accelerating hard.  :-XAny thoughts? Am I looking at some major tear down? I'm hoping not to have to do any major maintenance until fall/winter.

[BradValk48237]

Don't tear anything apart!!!!!! This is a common problem ... most all of us had to get used to it.... You just need to be conscious of hitting it hard/firmly from 1st to 2nd... the rest go easy. To this day I still do it and hit the throttle  and no go... cause its in "N"!!!!!!!!!!! Just once of the "quirks" of this great Motorcycle....

You might want to look at adjusting the shifter lever up or down a couple of notches...

Do a search on here on "shifter" or gears and there are MANY posts on this subject. Some people have replaced the lever with another from another Honda model.... think it was a CBR 1000????

Search is your friend here as there are HUNDREDS of posts on almost any subject you have.

I know it has helped me greatly over the years.

Brad

[SANDMAN5]

Yeah, what he said. I can't recall ANYBODY damaging their trans by
shifting too hard. Not saying it hasn't happened, but if it has it's
a rarity!!

[John Schmidt]

Apply a little upward pressure with your toe just prior to the actual shift, then pull the clutch in and give the shift lever a positive shove. I had your problem at first, now hardly ever happens.

[Patrick]

Yep, you don't need to abuse it,, but,, shift with 'authority'..

[Jess from VA]

John is describing PRELOADING THE SHIFTER.  It works.

Put a lttle pressure on the shifter and take out all the slack..... then clutch and shift normally.

Smoother than the normal shift.

[steve 3054]

Usually happens when you get a new pair of shoes or boots...

[old2soon]

Ya gotta get used to the longer throw between 1st and 2nd. Preload it like John suggested. You'll get used to her-really you will. RIDE SAFE.

[jimmytee]

Thanks for the replies. This is not my first Valk, but could not remember whether my first,a 98, was the same. My current ride is 2000. I was inclined to let it go,but was looking for input as to whether I'd be causing damage to do so. I didn't know if maybe there might be bushingss wore or even possibly clutch issues. The clutch seems to function normally as far as disengaging the transmission.

[crazydago]

 :crazy2:I got rid of that problem by installing a heel toe shifter. It gives a lot more force by shifting with the heel of your boot or shoe .No more missed shifts. BERT

[Gear Jammer]

. Some people have replaced the lever with another from another Honda model.... think it was a CBR 1000????


Brad

The other model is the Honda 1100XX Blackbird

[Bugslayer]

"PRELOADING THE SHIFTER" +1 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Very easy to miss 2nd on these ladies. I have a kick shifter and still miss it sometimes. It usually happens when I'm tried coming  home from work or half asleep going to work. If I don't use the clutch and just float shift it easy I always seem to make the shift but if I'm hammering the throttle and use the clutch I miss 2nd once in awhile.

[Farther]

. Some people have replaced the lever with another from another Honda model.... think it was a CBR 1000????
Brad

The other model is the Honda 1100XX Blackbird

http://www.qsl.net/w5cgh/valkyrie.html

[fudgie]

I tried to preload the shifter once just to see. Guess I did it to hard cause it shifted without the clutch.  It is embarrassing to get on it to impress onlookers and you kick it into N and rev real high. 

[YoungPUP]

Yup learned it the hard way with quite a few missed 1-2 shifts.  You have to Tell the Valk to shift, Not Ask.

[Jess from VA]

I never miss a first to second; have heel/toe.   (Used to on my Hog, go right into neutral on the way up, with a limp ankle shift)  (and on that bike with no safety features, you could fire it up in first by accident and depart the gas pump rather quicker than people were used to)

However, every once in a while I miss first from neutral.  Time to go.... clutch, shift..... clunk (the exact clunk you get when you actually hit first, slightly jerking the bike as usual)......rev up, let out the clutch, and go nowhere (or begin to fall over, as I'll lift my feet before I leave). 

Years later I still try to remember to watch the little green light go off before attempting departure.  But sometimes you are actually looking where you're going.