Clutch Springs Life Expectancy

[cowboyup3371]

Rich's question about his clutch reminded me to ask about an issue I have seen in the last few weeks.

I last changed my clutch springs ten years ago when I got the bike and really haven't had problems with shifting until this year. However I have noticed that it is sporadically shifting into neutral when going between second and third and third to fourth. Now some of this might be my foot and I am trying to pay closer attention but is there a life expectancy to the stock springs? Should I consider replacing them again even at 10 years?

[Cipher]

mine are 37 years old
pass height test
no slippage no engagement issues
70 000+kms not babied

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Following.........

[Baatfam]

Is that happening under power, or just while cruising?

I ask, because popping into neutral on a 2-3 shift under power, is worn dogs in the transmission.

[rphillips]

Springs will affect pressure on clutch lever & how much pressure on clutch pack, but don't see the springs having anything to do with shifting, unless they are so stiff you aren't getting the clutch completely disengaged. No date on clutch springs, they are good till they need to be replaced, that's very rarely in normal riding.

[cowboyup3371]

Is that happening under power, or just while cruising?

I ask, because popping into neutral on a 2-3 shift under power, is worn dogs in the transmission.

While shifting under power which is why I am also thinking it could just be my foot not getting under it fully. Are there any other checks, besides paying closer attention to my foot pressure, I can do before tearing it apart?

[rphillips]

Not pulling the shift lever up hard or high enough is a sign your shift lever is set too high. Adjust your shift lever down a couple or 3 splines, your normal foot action will effectively move the lever harder & higher.

[Baatfam]

While shifting under power which is why I am also thinking it could just be my foot not getting under it fully. Are there any other checks, besides paying closer attention to my foot pressure, I can do before tearing it apart?

When my 1100 started doing this, it was fine if I went slow. Clutch in, shift, feel it click in, clutch out, 1/4 throttle, and it would be fine.
If I did the same thing, feel it click in, clutch out, but hit the throttle hard, it would pop back to neutral, and just rev like you missed a gear.
It also got worse over time. At first it was only full throttle, then 3/4 throttle, etc., until it was every shift.

I would wait to hear from some of our experts before you do anything.
Maybe it is something else, or there is an easy way to check the dogs.
Otherwise, you might have to peak inside.
I have photos I will dig out later, of what worn dogs look like.

[Buffalo Bill]

While shifting under power which is why I am also thinking it could just be my foot not getting under it fully. Are there any other checks, besides paying closer attention to my foot pressure, I can do before tearing it apart?

I think it's your foot.
Changing between bikes will do this, different boots also change the shift point. You get used to one bike's perfect shift point, then ride the other with just a slightly different shift point, and you just don't quite get it right.
Adjusting the all the shift levers to match is important, so is wearing the same riding boots.

[Gorminrider]

When moving, You can shift UPWARD smoothly and securely without even using the clutch. I'm not saying to do so, but your symptom seems to point to what others are saying.

[Rob S.]

Changing between bikes will do this, different boots also change the shift point.

My Suzi is smooth as silk, though there is of course some noise and momentum.

My Sporty (RIP), a zero-mph shift into first is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. CLUNK! (or CLANK!) The heavier the boots, the more fun it is. Sounds like two locomotives colliding head on.

[Grimly]

Is that happening under power, or just while cruising?

I ask, because popping into neutral on a 2-3 shift under power, is worn dogs in the transmission.

Power-shifting wrecks dogs.

[Baatfam]

Power-shifting wrecks dogs.

I wasn't talking power shifting, just wanging the throttle after shifting, and bang...pops out.

But you are correct, my 1100E was a wore out, beat up, $500, ex-street racer when I got it.
Probably was power shifted a bunch...
And there was a lot more wrong than just the dogs...LOL....

[cowboyup3371]

I wear the same boots between both bikes. But I would agree that it is possible riding both bikes has "got my foot a bit confused" as it is definitely easier to shift on the Bandit. I'll pay closer attention to it over the next few rides until I decide to break out the Bandit again.

Thanks

[Wingsconsin]

Some motorcycles have shown damage to the gear dogs which presents itself as ghost shifting.
A myriad of causes have been hypothesized with no real proof of what causes it.
Some say miles, wear, poor metallurgy, bad assembly , etc.etc (poor shifting technique)
Poor technique seems to be a common excuse , and I have seen 'lazy' shifts cause pop outs (popping out of gear) which can be quite disconcerting.
I have developed a technique where I often end up lifting my toe a second time to be certain it goes into gear .
My Goldwing has popped out on me once --- on a twisty uphill section where I upshifted ..I must've missed a bit because when I applied the power it dropped a gear and clunked loudly and it was a serious pucker..
Just my 2 cents ...