klunky gear box

[aussie twin]

does any body have a bad clunk going into first and second?

[iggy1966]

Welcome Aussie,

I think everyone who has a storm has a clunky gearbox between first and second, mine only a year old and does it.

Ian

[W@zzA]

I think you'll find thats pretty much the norm as the selector forks have more movement between 1st & 2nd

[Fireman on a Storm]

Mine does it!

One thing that i did find help was to lower the gear lever about 10 to 15mm.

Then when you change up you tend to be a bit more positive with your foot and there is less chance of missing second

[simon t]

Hey, I thought that was one of the coolest things about the Big GT rideout last October (I'd had the Storm about two weeks). Just as the lights are about to change, 30 Storms engage first gear - hoo, LOCK 'N LOAD!

Mind you, the less said about the gap between 1st and 2nd the better

[W@zzA]

Would that be "Red, Amber and Sixty Smoking Barrels"

[Anonymous]

I tend to miss second if I don't give it a really positive kick. I may try a stiffer spring this year.

[ex-viffer]

Clunky 1st/2nd changes are a Honda feature (undocumented and unacknowledged, of course, except by owners), and the VTR is almost as bad at it as the VT750.
There are several ways to deal with it: the first (and most expensive) is to have your gearbox dogs machined, and get a shifter kit. If - like most of us - you can't afford that, then short-shift at low revs into second, or else don't change until the revs are high, and keep the power on as much as possible. Preloading the gearlever (applying pressure before you shift) also helps, as can doing clutchless changes.
Other things you can do to help avoid the clunks are lower the gearing and avoid using first gear (or short-shift), and keep the chain adjusted and well-lubed.
If you're really unhappy about the clunking, buy a Suzuki - apparently they have good gearchanges (?) Dunno - I've owned 6 Hondas, and that's all...

[W@zzA]

Even with a Techtronics quick shifter fitted it's still clunky between 1st & 2nd but it''s the dog's nailing it in the upper gears

[Stratman]

Try using semi synthetic oil. I found it reduced the clunk into 2nd very noticably. As the oil gets older the effect is less, but if you change it regularly it will help.

[haydnw]

I've been reading through old posts to see if anyone has made a real connection between oil and clunky gearboxes - I don't know if it's peculiar to my 'Storm' but whilst the engine is cold (and the oil is thicker??) the gearchange, even first to second is sweet as a nut but as it warms up the changes get clunkier & clunkier.
Does anyone know if any particular type of oil will help?
Haydn.

[paddy_skipton]

MINE does it
but it can be helped
just change up quicker and itll be slicker,if ya dordle and take time changing can be grindy

[haydnw]

Paddy,
I know what you are saying, clutchless changes and a 2 stage (1st to neutral - neutral to 2nd) change between 1st and 2nd work well, the point I am trying to make though is that whilst the engine is cold the gearchange is silky smooth, even 1st to 2nd, which I guess is due to the cold oil being more viscous. I wanted to know if anyone has experienced a particular type or brand of oil improving the gearchange significantly.
Haydn

[Rollingalong]

Have you seen the newest EVO-7 shift kit from Factory ?

It has a different shift star , detent on a roller bearing and the old style detent spring .

Cool and quite pricey but I bought one anyway . I'll report if it works or not next spring ...... long time ehhh?

It's motor building time here and the stuffs all tore down .

[haydnw]

Rollingalong,
How much disassembly is required to fit one of these
Haydn