Hooplehead Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 This has happened to me twice now. When traveling at highway speeds around 50-60mph then trying to shift up to 6th gear, the transmission gives a little kick back and seems to find a neutral spot while randomly clacking away until i shift up or down. This is under perhaps 20% load or less. I never noticed this on my other bird, so I am just curious if i should just ride it until it blows up, or be on the lookout for further symptoms? Lazy shifting? Also of note... do the FI birds generate and displace more heat than the Carb'd do? Man do my thighs get warm on this bike. Lastly.... who makes a freakin windshield wiper for this bike? 2003 xx 20k miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Hi Hooplehead,could be lazy shifting or possibly the drive chain is too loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooplehead Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 Hi Hooplehead,could be lazy shifting or possibly the drive chain is too loose. or both. Thanks, I'll work on both, couldn't hurt regardless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Is this the '03 you just bought? It should NEVER happen. No way to go from 5 into N. At most, perhaps you aren't giving a solid shift with your foot, but I'd expect you to have this problem with any gear transition if you're not shifting properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExPatXX Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 From fifth right into neutral? I'd say there's something wrong with the shift drum. How else can you bypass three gears? You feel the click/resistance as you move up and down the gears. If I had my manual here, I'd look it up. I suggest taking it in to a shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimack Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 (edited) It happened to me a couple of times. for me it was just a lazy left foot. It doesn't drop down 3 gears to the neutral position if finds a NEW neutral position between 5 and 6 Edited June 12, 2015 by kiwimack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 it happens to me from time time,not just 5 to 6th but could be any shift.not really going into proper neutral as it makes a horrible racket till i shift it firmly back into gear.ive always put it down to lazy shifting and too much slack in the drive chain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Also of note... do the FI birds generate and displace more heat than the Carb'd do? From what I have read yes. As far as the shifting, I have never had that happen to me (5th to 6th) on any bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 The old cb750/900/1100 was famous for missed 4 to 5 shifts. How fresh is your oil? I find my XX duffs shifts when the oil gets marginal - not black or crappy, just not at its best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrick Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 I've had bikes that find "false neutral" if you're not supplying a firm shift. I've had it happen between different gears on different bikes. The "bird has never done it to me, but mine still has pretty low mileage and all the bikes that did miss were higher mileage. Make sure it's not your technique first. Brian's comment on the oil rings true too - certain oils seem to shift better than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooplehead Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 It happened to me a couple of times. for me it was just a lazy left foot. It doesn't drop down 3 gears to the neutral position if finds a NEW neutral position between 5 and 6 THIS exactly. I would suspect laziness cuz i am what i am. I JUST changed the oil to Valvoline 10-30 (same oil i used on the 97 bird), but perhaps this bike isnt a fan of it. it happens to me from time time,not just 5 to 6th but could be any shift.not really going into proper neutral as it makes a horrible racket till i shift it firmly back into gear.ive always put it down to lazy shifting and too much slack in the drive chain Well, I'll strike it up to operator error on my part. Honda makes great bikes, my Mom makes passable children. Not a hard equation to add up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 I have had this happen to me just a few times. Pretty unnerving. Yeah, mine were due to lazy shifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooplehead Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 Fat boots and a peg lowering kit seem to aggravate the issue. If only i had a cnc machine to cut myself a new "shorter" shifter... Thanks all for the help. I wasnt so worried that it had me looking for tools. As i figured, its probably operator error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 I've miss-shifted many bikes, but I almost always immediately realize that I screwed up. I've done it with the Duc a few times and I think it's because it shifts so easily that I get lazy. "the transmission gives a little kick back and seems to find a neutral spot while randomly clacking away until i shift up or down. This is under perhaps 20% load or less." Are you shifting while under power, or is it shifting into gear seemingly normally then pops out as you apply power? Happening twice over a fairly long period is probably not anything mechanically wrong with it. 10-30 automotive oil I assume? Get that outa there. If it started only after the oil change there's the likely answer. The early birds I think are more oil finicky due to the larger clutch pack, just my guess. As far as temp, there's no reason an FI would make more heat, but there are a few minor changes in the header and radiator layout that may be changing the felt heat. I don't recall if my 97 was cooler feeling than my 01, but I do remember it taking much longer to warm up and assume it just has a bigger thermostat bypass. This could lead to it actually running cooler in some conditions, but it's been a long time since I rode a carbed XX. If your previous had aftermarket mufflers but not the '03 it could explain the difference in felt heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 It's possible you have a bent or badly worn shift fork. Ditto what Superhawk said on your oil. As far as the extra heat, you might check under the tank and see if the previous owner removed the heat shield that is supposed to sit at the top front edge of the valve cover. That could add a few degrees under the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooplehead Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 (edited) The heat is probably just due to slight differences in air routing. The bike is running a LOT more fuel efficient than my older 97 did, so i can assume its properly leaning out the mix more. I have always ran stock pipes on my birds, so far. I was just wondering if anyone else noticed. The missed gear(s) happen during the shifting. It isnt under load much if at all when it occurs. Its more of a not making it INTO the next gear, rather than a skip OUT OF. These bikes shift so smooth, i admit that i get VERY lazy in how i ride it. I wouldnt be surprised if my old kick shift dirtbike habits creep in at times unknowingly as well... At any rate. I have spare KN filters around here, so I will change the oil back out to some overpriced Honda oil and call it done. Thanks again for the info guys... On a side note... I suspect the previous owners did nothing much but maintain the bike in great fashion. Edited June 12, 2015 by Hooplehead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 The manual say 10W-40. I have run heavier but never lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 No need or reason to run Honda brand oil. Just use a motorcycle spec 10-40 of any kind, premium synthetics being better. There are other options but no need to get creative. 10-30 anything is a little questionable, car spec just adds to that. Consider the 10-30 oil change as being a cheap engine flush, just don't leave it in there longer than you have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 (edited) I have one possible issue and suggestion Adjust the shifter lever down. Depending on which boots I wear would effect my shifting. My steel toe work boots required me to go up on the lever and it sucked ass to shift with my thinner riding boots. Just a thought. Carry on Edited June 13, 2015 by The Krypt Keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 Honda calls for their GN4 10W40 engine oil which is a good choice for Tennessee. Here in South Florida where it never gets cold year round we often go to 20W50 due to the constant higher temps Honda oil here sells for $5.99 a quart so not a bad cost although many brands of 10W40 oil can be had for less money. Just buy motorcycle specific motor oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 As far as the cooling, the reason the carb Birds ran cooler is because they had a bigger radiator and even had a different size fan. I didn't want to post that until I could find the goods and it took a lot of looking. http://www.cbr1100xx.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=52636&hl=%2Bdifference+%2Bin+%2Bradiator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crow Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Oh, Hooplehead, why did you change out my expensive, fully synthetic, Castrol racing oil, of proper weight, for a no-name, cheap, light weight oil? Change back to something good, and make a positive, not lazy, shift, with the factory pegs and shifter. All has been right with that bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Oh, Hooplehead, why did you change out my expensive, fully synthetic, Castrol racing oil, of proper weight, for a no-name, cheap, light weight oil? Change back to something good, and make a positive, not lazy, shift, with the factory pegs and shifter. All has been right with that bike. I know you're met Hooplehead, but have you MET Hooplehead? You should learn the story behind his name. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooplehead Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) Oh, Hooplehead, why did you change out my expensive, fully synthetic, Castrol racing oil, of proper weight, for a no-name, cheap, light weight oil? Change back to something good, and make a positive, not lazy, shift, with the factory pegs and shifter. All has been right with that bike. 2000+ miles at sustained 90mph was why it was changed. Changed to Valvoline cuz i have about 8 gallons of it here and didnt make a shit of diff in my old 97. Peg lowers cuz im 6'3" and dont forget, blue gauges cuz indiglo is da shit Only thing left is to repair a cpla worn throttle cables and drop it in the street... Edited June 14, 2015 by Hooplehead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I have a couple of good throttle cables off my 2000 parts bike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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