Clutch Adjustment

[TGEORGE143784]

I'm looking for some advice or tips on adjusting my clutch. I've followed the manual (Haynes), adjusted it six ways to sunday - hot, cold, luke warm, full moons, etc. - and still always have a little 'crunch' when I upshift to second gear. It gets pretty annoying on longer trips.
I've had the tranny out to inspect the clutch. All in spec.
I had the tranny out and rebuilt this past winter (new bearings, circlip, springs, etc.) by [formerly] Bench Mark Works Canada. Shouldn't be any internal issues.

So....Is this part of the character of my Airhead, or am I missing the secret handshake when adjusting the clutch?

1987 R80 Monolever.

[geisterfahrer]

Airhead trannys are notoriously clunky. My worst is the downshift from second to first. I think what you are experiencing is normal.

[milo]

... - and still always have a little 'crunch' when I upshift to second gear....

Glad to hear it's not just me.

[JIMWJARMOUR]

try putting your toes under the lever with a little pressure or preload if you will then just dip the clutch and the gear lever should engage the next gear crunch less try differing pressures . hope this assists jimmy

[toooldtocare]

Your bike is newer, so the clunk is not as bad as some of the older ones, such as my old R90S. A little practice will often reward you with smooth shifts, it has for me. I preload the shifter too, and shift slowly when going up gears. Not so slowly when going down gears.

Wayne

[88bmwjeff]

The preload helps a bunch, and I think it's a necessity for upshifting. I don't seem to need it as much for downshifting; as such, I rarely do.

My worst is the downshift from second to first.

That's my worse shifting predicament as well. If I accidential shift it into neutral. I need to come to almost a complete stop before being able to shift out of neutral. Otherwise, I get lots of grinding sounds. Besides that, my tranny shifts as most do.

[TGEORGE143784]

So I guess I can't expect it to shift like a japanese bike?
Oh well. I'll have to live with it, practice some more (cuz some shifts have been better than others...seems lower rpm shifts are preferred from first to second) and keep enjoying the Airhead character.

[windancer]

Ear plugs make my shifts lots quieter . . . .

Eric

[geisterfahrer]

So I guess I can't expect it to shift like a japanese bike?

Nope.

[airhead78]

[QUOTE=G_Thomas;693367]So I guess I can't expect it to shift like a japanese bike?


.... Just kidding... And yes, just practice until you have perfected the art of the '"thlunkk" when the tranny slips into gear. It can be made to sound almost pleasant..... almost.

Eduardo

[dduelin]

So I guess I can't expect it to shift like a japanese bike?
Oh well. I'll have to live with it, practice some more (cuz some shifts have been better than others...seems lower rpm shifts are preferred from first to second) and keep enjoying the Airhead character.

No Japanese bike has the famous "Box O Rocks" transmission and engine speed clutch we know and love. Well, I guess the Marusho or Lilac did but not bikes post 1960 - the so called Japanese Invasion.

With careful practice and waiting a heartbeat or half second on upshifts a seasoned BMW pilot can make noiseless smooth shifts. Like has been said, lightly preload the shift lever and hold the shift lever against the stop until the clutch is fully engaged (hand lever out).

[mikegates]

this clutch tool does it all. I have one works great. The problem is people are allways using it. http://www.northwoodsairheads.com/Tools.html

[TGEORGE143784]

So it appears that I am rushing into second gear. Which sounds about right. I've noticed when I am feeling spunky and bolt out of stop light, I shift at a higher rpm and get that nice crunchy feeling. When I take my time and shift around or below 3000, I pops right into gear smooth as silk. From there I can up-shift the gears at any engine speed and ferosity with no issues whatsoever. Is this why some people swap in a 'higher' first gear? To change this shifting characteristic?

[jad01]

Something that has helped my transmission shift more smoothly... Redline Heavy Shockproof gear oil. It's a synthetic, and have been told it's recommended for Harley transmissions... works very well in my airhead (even in Houston heat). It's much improved over the way it shifted with the motorcycle gear oils I had used previously.

http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=8

[DHANDELAND]

adjust the clutch as per Tom Cutter's instruction.

http://bmwscotter.com/procedures/clu...djustment4.txt

Pre-load the shift lever as others have suggested.

Airhead Steve