450 in neutral

[Guest]

Ok, still working on the wifes' 450. Got the carbs. back on and got it running again (had rebuilt with soak and new o-rings) also new air filter and new o-rings on carb. mounts. Anyway I noticed that even though the bike is in neutral when it is running the frt. chain sprocket is turning. It goes faster if I rev. engine, although it doesn't appear to go as fast as it would if in gear. Also the clutch cable is not hooked up, (something I'm going to replace) and I have chain and clutch cover off. The neutral light is on and it has no problem starting. Any ideas as to why this would happen in neutral? Thanks in advance! terrylee

[terrylee]

Thanks, hoping this was the case. But never a problem on the shafties so wasn't sure. terrylee

[Steve]

What's happening is fluid drag in the clutch and transmission. Although it is in neutral, the input shaft is spinning in oil, and it's dragging the output shaft along with it. With the chain on, the rear wheel provides just enough stopping force to overcome that. On a shaftie, it's the same thing, there is enough drag in the final drive to overcome the drag inside the transmission. I'll bet that if the engine is cold and the bike is on the centerstand, you will see the rear wheel turn, too.

It's the same thing in a car with an automatic transmission. That's what makes it able to stop the wheels while the engine is turning, but the car still tries to inch forward.

.

[terrylee]

Again thanks guys I thought that was probably the case, but good to hear it from others. terrylee