'06 neutral-to-1st clunk

[Constant Mesh]

I've seen a few reports that the neutral-to-1st clunk has been attenuated or maybe eliminated on the '06. I wonder what's been changed in the clutch or transmission?

Maybe in getting the clutch/transmission ready for the electric shift model they made some modifications. Could they have added some sort of synchronizer for 1st gear?

No matter, a welcome development.

 

[SkooterG]

Bullpuckey!

There were no changes to the transmission for the 06 model. Plain and simple.

 

[markjenn]

The clunk is caused by clutch drag and has little to do with the tranny.

When you are in neutral with the clutch engaged, you're spinnng the input shaft in the tranny. When you pull the clutch, that input shaft is disconnected from the engine by the clutch, but clutch drag in a multi-plate wet clutch keeps it spinning. When you engage 1st, the clunk is when you mechanically stop the shaft to mesh it with the output shaft, which is stationary since the bike is stationary.

They may have made some clutch refinements to reduce clutch drag. They're constantly fiddling with this stuff.

- Mark

 

[Constant Mesh]

markjenn --

As you said clutch drag is the culprit. However, with the addition of the electric shift model the neutral-to-1st clunk might be viewed as crude and unacceptable for this premium model.

They most likely made some modification to ensure that the transmission's main shaft (output of clutch) is motionless when the bike is running, in neutral, and motionless.

An electric shift premium bike shouldn't clunk and lurch when you shift into 1st gear.

 

[jestal]

Possibly the electric pump or actuator that works the hydraulic clutch mechanism has more volume or capacity than the master cylinder on the clutch lever of the 03-05's so that the clutch plates are disengaged "further" with the 06...

I agree that there will always be some viscous drag due to the oil between the clutch plates when the clutch is disengaged but it may have been reduced by increasing the throw of the clutch mechanism hydraulics since the electric actuator wouldn't care about stroke the way the lever is sensitive to it.

If you notice there is more thunk when you barely disengage the clutch with the 03-05's compared to adjusting the lever all the way out from the bar and pulling it the maximum stroke to disengage the clutch.

On the first engagement in the morning, though, when the oi is cold and thicker I doubt that there is much they can do.

 

[markjenn]

Interesting ideas.

I doubt Yamaha would engineer something to stop the input shaft when the bike goes into neutral - that would likely require hardware internal to the tranmission or on the back side of the clutch. A lot of expense for this fairly minor problem.

And I'd be skeptical that increasing the clutch throwout distance in the last bit of disengagement would have much effect on the drag issue - I always thought it was hydrodynamic coupling, not mechanically coupling, that caused the drag and once you reach a certain point it may not matter how much you release the basket as the plates are not feeling any pressure against one another. I know on cable clutch bikes that if I reduce the freeplay at the lever, I get further clutch disengagement, but there is a point where it doesn't reduce clutch drag any further.

Off-hand, I don't see anything unacceptable in the electric-shift bike clunking just like the manual-shifting bike. It's billed as a conventional clutch and tranny under computer control, not as a hydraulic torque convertor type of seamless fluid drive.

My bet is that it will behave exactly like the current bike, but we'll have to see.

- Mark

 

[SkooterG]

My bet is that it will behave exactly like the current bike, but we'll have to see.
- Mark

That's what I tried to say above. Of course taking the "plain and simple" route.

 

[shuswaper]

...well, I don`t know about anybody else, but every bike I have ever had has made a clunk/clack/click/clank, from neutral into first. I hardly ever gave it a thought, much less think there was someting wrong with the mechanism. However, if the new machinery is quieter, we all welcome it I`m sure. Now, if only the engines on these FJRs were to become tickless...that`s what I call REAL PROGRESS !!!!!!!!!!!! :assasin:

 

[BrunDog]

Hasn't anybody noticed that without the "thunk", it aint goin into first??

Try it: In N, pull the clutch (and hold it there), put it in 1st and feel the clunk, shift back to N, then back to 1st. It won't thunk, but it won't necessarily go in, either. You have to let the clutch out or roll the bike.

I have a sneaky suspicion this is by design and represents a level of safety, too.

Besides, how often do you hear people say their bike is in the shop because 1st wore out from to many N -> 1 shifts?? Ride that **** till it breaks, then worry about it.

-BD

 

[HIGHLANDER]

This was posted by Waldy over on the international site. Notice this excerpt QUOTE " gearbox is nice and smooth and 1st gear clunk is gone."

Waldy's post "

Picked up the 06 wednesday morning, and just got time to get in about 90 miles or so, all in all, I'm well pleased. Tyres are Z6's and seem good / grippy. new screen seems better, stays more angled when fully up and with the new vents I felt there was much less turbulence ( wednesday was very windy so it was a good test ) linked brakes were my first worry, but can assure all that you dont notice it ( as it should be ) and initial bite ( after pads bedded in a bit ) was as strong as my other two FJR's have been so nothing to worry about there. seats are another big improvement, being flatter / harder but ultimately seems very comfortable. suspension seemed more supple, especially the rear ( I leave it on hard anyway ) ride quality is still high, but I suspect it might feel nice and taught when pushing on a bit !. handling as sure footed as ever. gearbox is nice and smooth and 1st gear clunk is gone. gearing is higher by about 500 revs, with 70 mph coming in at 3500rpm. I have read some say the gearing looses some lower end shove, I would argue that, as although early days / new engine bla bla, it feels as fit and grunty at the bottom as my others have. any extra weight is completely un-noticeable, and my only slight moan is I have noticed a slight increase in vibes which is probably nothing more than new motor settle down that will ease off with miles ( i hope ) To finish, I feel the bike is a worthy update and if the heat system works in the summer, and it proves as good as I anticipate, like me, all will be pleased when and if they take the 06 plunge. "