down shifting - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

JimmyB · 03-16-2008, 10:55 AM

I have a Boulevard C50T. Sometimes at a stop when down shifting, the bike gets stuck in neutral and I am not able to shift down to first unless I release the clutch. Any idea what's wrong? or is it something I may be doing? I'll be riding along in 3rd or 4th and come to a red ligh. I pull in the clutch and coast to the light. When I stop I try to shift down to 1st - that's when I can't get past neutral. Any advice is appreciated

**Clint** · 03-16-2008, 12:07 PM

What year? How many miles? How old is the oil? Can you see how filling out your profile might help us out here?

tallannie · 03-16-2008, 12:12 PM

sounds like my bike too.... I just rock it a bit fwd or back..

you should always try to down shift to first before you completely stop anyway....safer in case you need to maneuver away quickly. This is basic MSF safety teachings. Also you will never find yourself trying to start out in 2nd or 3rd and killing the engine while somebody rides up your tail.

JimmyB · 03-16-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

What year? How many miles? How old is the oil? Can you see how filling out your profile might help us out here?

I can't find the link to fill out profile. the bike is a C50T 2007, 7000 miles. Oil was changed when I bought is about 6 months ago. I only put a few hundred miles on it

**Clint** · 03-16-2008, 12:24 PM

I'd expect it to loosen up a bit more with time. Also, I'd suggest switching to synthetic for smoother shifting, but that would start a flame war, so I won't.

Click "user CP" at upper left.

Easy Rider · 03-16-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyB

When I stop I try to shift down to 1st - that's when I can't get past neutral. Any advice is appreciated

If it hurts when you do it like that, then stop !!

Almost every bike ever built will sometimes "hang" in neutral when shifted at a full stop.

Your technique is bad. You should match the gear with the speed.....both going up AND going down. You should click it into 1st just a second before you need to put your feet down.

JimmyB · 03-16-2008, 12:31 PM

Thanks for the advice. You are right, I should slow down and downshift. When I do it like that it is fine.

**Clint** · 03-16-2008, 12:35 PM

Chances are, if you take it out of first and into neutral, it'll go back into first easier. Try shifting to first as ER suggests, then shift to neutral if the situation warrants.

JmalB · 03-17-2008, 06:04 AM

It part of the 50 charm. A lot of the M50 guys have run into this problem. Just release the clutch and pull it back in and try again. Or do the rocking thing. no biggie.

busa-boy33 · 03-17-2008, 07:25 AM

I always thought that was a normal problem. Its happened on all the bikes I've been on..

When your in neutral or any other gear and it won't shift down or up some times you have to kinda push the bike forward a bit with the clutch held in and then it will slip into gear.

baltimorebayside · 03-17-2008, 07:33 AM

Hmmm? All the Honda's I ever owned never had this problem.....

I hope my 2008 C50T doesn't have this prrblem.....I don't believe my brother has this problem on his V-Staqr 650...

I can't see paying as much money for a new bike, where I have to "ROCK" back and forth to get it in 1st??? Sounds like a design issue?

dan

Easy Rider · 03-17-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baltimorebayside

Hmmm? All the Honda's I ever owned never had this problem.....

It's there, you just haven't noticed it.

If the rider has certain bad habits, it shows up ALL the time.

Apparently you don't have any of those bad habits!

busa-boy33 · 03-17-2008, 07:54 AM

When I installed my gear indicator I had to teach it the gears by going through each of them.
Even the manual said that if the gear selected will not go in then rock the bike a little with the clutch in.

robertc729 · 03-17-2008, 08:50 AM

Always down shift completely before coming to a stop

themeatmanlandry · 03-17-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyB

I have a Boulevard C50T. Sometimes at a stop when down shifting, the bike gets stuck in neutral and I am not able to shift down to first unless I release the clutch. Any idea what's wrong? or is it something I may be doing? I'll be riding along in 3rd or 4th and come to a red ligh. I pull in the clutch and coast to the light. When I stop I try to shift down to 1st - that's when I can't get past neutral. Any advice is appreciated

Personally, I thought all bikes did that. I thought it was par for the course for constant-mesh transmissions. I just release the clutch, pull it in, then shift into first.

kay · 03-17-2008, 10:05 AM

I get that too, but quickly release the clutch and try again. It's really never bothered me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by busa-boy33

When I installed my gear indicator I had to teach it the gears by going through each of them.
Even the manual said that if the gear selected will not go in then rock the bike a little with the clutch in.

Hmm....but how can I rock the bike if I can't get both my feet down on the ground???

Easy Rider · 03-17-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Personally, I thought all bikes did that.

Hey......for once, you are RIGHT !!!

G51000 · 03-18-2008, 10:16 AM

Make sure the clutch is adjusted properly, then try to shift down to nuetral before you stop if possible. On some bikes you can do that in the last few feet before coming to a complete stop.
Back in the 70s I owned 72 TX 750 Yamaha, some after I bought it I had shifting problems. They tore it down on warranty and found that the shifting forks were bent. I got the bike back and not too long after the same thing happened again. I thought,'boy I sure bought the wrong motorcycle'.
Well I took it back to the dealer and they fixed it again. When I picked it up the mechanic told me to take a test ride around the block and come back and tell him how it feels. When I pulled back in to the front of his shop he suggested that I shift to nuetral before stopping and that it may be the reason I was bending forks. He must have been right, I rode that bike for 3 years without a problem.
I have over 140K on the bike I ride now and never have had any trannie problems, it still has the original clutch also.

tricker · 03-18-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Personally, I thought all bikes did that. I thought it was par for the course for constant-mesh transmissions. I just release the clutch, pull it in, then shift into first.

hmm... from what i understand mine does that too but i just ignored it.

03-16-2008, 10:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
JimmyB Newbie Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki C50T 2007 Location: Abington, Pa Posts: 11	down shifting I have a Boulevard C50T. Sometimes at a stop when down shifting, the bike gets stuck in neutral and I am not able to shift down to first unless I release the clutch. Any idea what's wrong? or is it something I may be doing? I'll be riding along in 3rd or 4th and come to a red ligh. I pull in the clutch and coast to the light. When I stop I try to shift down to 1st - that's when I can't get past neutral. Any advice is appreciated

03-16-2008, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
tallannie Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 2,004	sounds like my bike too.... I just rock it a bit fwd or back.. you should always try to down shift to first before you completely stop anyway....safer in case you need to maneuver away quickly. This is basic MSF safety teachings. Also you will never find yourself trying to start out in 2nd or 3rd and killing the engine while somebody rides up your tail. __________________ ...Just in Time moto-cookie delivery

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03-16-2008, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
JimmyB Newbie Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki C50T 2007 Location: Abington, Pa Posts: 11	Thanks for the advice. You are right, I should slow down and downshift. When I do it like that it is fine.

03-17-2008, 07:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
busa-boy33 M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,922	I always thought that was a normal problem. Its happened on all the bikes I've been on.. When your in neutral or any other gear and it won't shift down or up some times you have to kinda push the bike forward a bit with the clutch held in and then it will slip into gear.

03-17-2008, 07:33 AM	#11 (permalink)
baltimorebayside Found second gear by accident Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: New owner of a 2008 C50T Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 325	Hmmm? All the Honda's I ever owned never had this problem..... I hope my 2008 C50T doesn't have this prrblem.....I don't believe my brother has this problem on his V-Staqr 650... I can't see paying as much money for a new bike, where I have to "ROCK" back and forth to get it in 1st??? Sounds like a design issue? dan

03-17-2008, 07:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
busa-boy33 M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,922	When I installed my gear indicator I had to teach it the gears by going through each of them. Even the manual said that if the gear selected will not go in then rock the bike a little with the clutch in.

03-17-2008, 08:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,040	Always down shift completely before coming to a stop

03-18-2008, 10:16 AM	#18 (permalink)
G51000 Newbie Joined: Dec 2007 Bike: 79 MotoGuzzi G-5 / 72 MotoGuzzi Eldorado. Location: Spokane WA. Posts: 23	Make sure the clutch is adjusted properly, then try to shift down to nuetral before you stop if possible. On some bikes you can do that in the last few feet before coming to a complete stop. Back in the 70s I owned 72 TX 750 Yamaha, some after I bought it I had shifting problems. They tore it down on warranty and found that the shifting forks were bent. I got the bike back and not too long after the same thing happened again. I thought,'boy I sure bought the wrong motorcycle'. Well I took it back to the dealer and they fixed it again. When I picked it up the mechanic told me to take a test ride around the block and come back and tell him how it feels. When I pulled back in to the front of his shop he suggested that I shift to nuetral before stopping and that it may be the reason I was bending forks. He must have been right, I rode that bike for 3 years without a problem. I have over 140K on the bike I ride now and never have had any trannie problems, it still has the original clutch also.

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