Clack, Clack, Claickity,Clack,Click

[Zolton]

Just bought an '06 with 6,650 miles on the clock a couple of weeks ago. I just got back from a chilly 1,370 mile two-up tour through upstate NY, Vermont and NH. I have to say that I'm bummed about the loud clacks when I shift through the gears. Love the bike otherwise. I know this has been beat to death here but I'd like to get to the bottom of it. I've read as much as I could find here in order to avoid a post like this but there seems to be no clear answer. Some say the bike just has a noisy shifting transmission. Some say it takes a certain technique to get nice shifts. Some say the clutch plates have to be soaked. What's the answer? I'm willing to do anything to get nice "Snick, snick, snick" gear changes. I know the bike can do them because every once in a while they happen. I want them all the time. If I have to live with a bike that makes a noise like someone hitting a paint can full of stones with a hammer, it will drive me ******* nuts. I really want to like this bike and this aint helping.

 

[feejer222]

Sounds terminal to me, if the gear box siezes, you are off, no pulling the clutch to release the back wheel, it stays locked. Get it checked before you ride it again. My 05 is smooth as silk and silent with or without the clutch.

 

[gregarious]

If you shift lazily (slowly), you will get the clunking you are talking about. Try being more aggressive on the shifts. Just my opinion.

 

[SkooterG]

You need to meet up with another FJR owner in your area and compare.

At this point, that's the ony way to determine if it is an FJR issue, or an operator issue.

 

[Bustanut joker]

another FJR owner/operator issue.

FUZZY BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[S76]

If you shift lazily (slowly), you will get the clunking you are talking about. Try being more aggressive on the shifts. Just my opinion.

I agree. Riding around at 30/40 mph and shifting easy seems to bring out the worst in this box. Rev it higher and shift it faster and it's smooth as silk. Mine is the same. Some have mentioned adding a little STP to the oil change, I haven't tried it yet though.

 

[FJR Steve]

Gear changes on my '07 >4000rpm give the sensation of a hot knife through melted butter.

In saying that, if you are hearing pebbles in an empty paint can noise...then there is only one thing to do. Dealership. Pronto.

 

[Inlaw1]

As already stated, you can't shift it slowly, up or down. You just need to work it some more and get used to it. Keep in mind Yamha's are a bit clunky anyway, but I can get mine to shift snick, snick, snick smooth.

 

[FJRTom]

Have you tried pre-loading the shift lever? That is, put a little upward pressure on the lever with your toe before you are ready to shift. Then when the shift comes, depress the clutch and finish the upward pressure. Snicks in for me lik e warm knife through butter!

 

[exskibum]

Woof to all of the above. My '05 shifts nothing like you describe. Not as smooth as my XX, but not much is -- Honda got a LOT right on that bike before they dropped the ball big time in their approach and offerings (ask WC, and he'll rant for you on this one). At the very first, I missed shifts on the FJR, but haven't had that problem since the bike was broke in at around 600 miles. Not a complaint since. Hope you find the source of the problem and get to enjoy this bike for what it has been for most of us.

 

[Zolton]

I tried preloading the shift lever as suggested and no change (although it did shift nicely once using that method, but that was it). I've also tried reving higher and shifting quicker. Also tried reving higher and shifting slower. Also tried reving higher and preload shifting. Still a very loud clack is heard while going into the next gear. It's loud when downshifting too. It mystifies me because on occasion it will shift smooth and quiet, like I would expect. But that is about one shift out of 50. I don't think I'm doing anything special to get the smooth shift to take place, it just happens. What about "soaking the clutch plates". Anyone done that yet? It pains me to hear this noise, mostly because I can't help but think it's harming the transmission. I can't believe that this is a situation that I'll just have to accept as part of FJR ownership. It also concerns me that the bike has probably been behaving like this for over 8000 miles now.

 

[FJR Steve]

Warranty? and I'll say again...dealership?

 

[Rogue]

I don't remember which years but IIRC there was a problem with a defective clutch slave cylinder getting air into the clutch system on some bikes.

That would cause the clutch to not fully disengage.

 

[C&C]

You might want to make sure you're idle speed is at or very close to 1,100. Shifting smooths, quite a bit, when your rev's either match you new shift point or are slightly higher than your shift point. The tranny abhors a below rev's situation. (hence the suggestions of shifting quickly, i.e. more aggressively)

 

[dgfella]

I can concur that lazy shifting at low RPM creates a clunking noise and a jerky motion out of the transmission. If you've tried keeping the revs up and preloading the shifter then I'd say that there is a problem. Go to the dealer and have this checked.

 

[feejer222]

Warranty? and I'll say again...dealership?

+1

DEALERSHIP....No more talk of trying different things. I have seen some nasty crashes caused by gearbox siezures. The back wheel locks solid with no warning and you cannot release it. Trailer it to the dealers.

 

[black mamba]

I've noticed an odd situation with the shifting on my '05. If I'm wearing soft boots....no re-inforced toe....my shifts aren't as smooth as when I'm wearing steel-toed boots. Obviously, the re-inforced toe is providing for a more direct application of force ( no flex as I hit the shift lever ) but the difference in the way the bike shifts between the type of boots is amazing. The conclusion here supports what others are saying.....a quick, agressive shift motion usually will help a lot.

 

[BkrK12]

I tried preloading the shift lever as suggested and no change (although it did shift nicely once using that method, but that was it). I've also tried reving higher and shifting quicker. Also tried reving higher and shifting slower. Also tried reving higher and preload shifting. Still a very loud clack is heard while going into the next gear. It's loud when downshifting too. It mystifies me because on occasion it will shift smooth and quiet, like I would expect. But that is about one shift out of 50. I don't think I'm doing anything special to get the smooth shift to take place, it just happens. What about "soaking the clutch plates". Anyone done that yet? It pains me to hear this noise, mostly because I can't help but think it's harming the transmission. I can't believe that this is a situation that I'll just have to accept as part of FJR ownership. It also concerns me that the bike has probably been behaving like this for over 8000 miles now.

You might try spending some time and bleeding the clutch circuit. It requires a little different technique than brakes, because the lever itself doesn't move, but you'll get it with a litttle practice and it certainly helped my bike.

 

[dbvolfan]

I'd have to agree that lazy shifts make the gear changes much more clunky , especially 1-->2. I thought something was wrong with my shift forks and had the dealer check it out but they felt it was fine. I have noticed that quic, aggressive shifts work really well and you geta nice snick