Cold Shifting Into First Gear

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broodwich

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When I shift the bike into first when it's cold it's rough and grinds it's way into gear, is this normal? My BMW used to to this too. Before you ask, yes I have the clutch pulled in when I shift the bike into gear.

 
When mine's cold I'll shift it into second and then back down into first to take off. Doesn't "grind" half as much. JB

 
Mine is somewhat finicky about going into gear cold as well. Two other things that will probably help a bit (although a cure isn't necessary, as it isn't really a "problem" that I am aware of)...

Park and start it in first gear. No shifting will be required until you've started moving, which will get everything lubed where it should be. This is the easiest and least "stressful" method (just be gentle for a couple blocks of driving till she gets warmed up). If you chose not to do this for whatever reason...

Don't be "gentle" getting it into gear when cold if you didn't start it in first. Start it, pump the clutch a few times to get as much oil all over everything inside as possible, then hold the clutch in for a few seconds to allow everything to spin down as low as it will go (the parts will ALWAYS be spinning when cold just due to the oil viscosity). Finally, smack it into first gear. You'll get a fairly hefty clunk, but none of the grinding. No need to whack the hell out of it or anything, just give it a good solid shift into first gear. Don't try to "ease" it... you'll get all sorts of nasty unpleasantness if you try that.

 
They all do it, sticky clutch plates. Warm engine, shut down, put in first, restart, only if it really bothers ya.

 
Thanks.

Like I said my BMW did the same thing so I didn't think it was a big deal but I wanted to confirm that I'm not the only one who was experiencing this. I don't know anyone local that rides an FJR yet.

 
For my first cold in the morning start I noticed that if I start the bike, pull in the clutch and hold it in until the revs come down from the cold high speed idle, I usually get a nice quiet snick into gear. (Mine you I'm holding the clutch in for approximately 20 - 30 seconds, but I'm waiting for one bar on the temp gauge before I head out anyway so it's no big deal) After that, and for the rest of the day, unless I'm moving I'm gonna get a clunk when going to first from neutral.

 
Same for me,

Just engage & release the clutch quickly twice while its idling then hold in for about 15-20 secs. Should be dead smooth to drop into 1st then.

Nick

Outbackoz

 
Try holding the clutch in and back the bike up about 2 feet. It will then slip into first with no crunch/grind etc...

 
I'll chime in. Think about whats happening and you can avoid it. you start the bike in neutral and because its a gear its making the tranny spin. You pull in the clutch to shift and the tranny starts slowing down, but because the oil is cold the friction from the oil keeps the tranny spinning.

So what you could do is blip the throttle a couple times with the clutch pulled in and that should heat up the oil between the plates and loosen its grip letting the tranny stop or at least slow down quicker.

Or not.

 
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