Cure for notchy downshifts?

[twinrider]

Noticed my S10's downshifts are getting pretty stiff-feeling as the weather has warmed up. Takes more effort than it should. Anyone else getting this? I am running Castrol 10W50 synthetic oil.

If I had a clutch wire I'd think it needed adjusting, but seeing how the clutch is hydraulic I'm not sure what I can do to improve the shift action.

 

[Xt1200zsupertenere]

Hade the same problem .... One year Old bike . Done the 100 km ( first service ) and 10 000 km service ( in Sweden we have Evert 10 000 km service ) .....

Herre yamaha put in yamalube ultra 10w-40 ( full syntetic ? )....
Är did A extra service now efter 4000 km ( drive mutch Autobahn ) .... Put in Q8 SBK Racing 10w-50 Api SM , MA 2

Felt like new gearbox !!!! I think that yamalube ( Api SL , MA ) is not A GOOD oil for supertenere !
The differens in feeling at big ! Think the clutch not sticks witch ma2 instead of ma oil ... Perhaps xt1200z is sensetiv for quality in oil?

Look att quality att yamalube , the spec. is like stone-age , i like the SBK racing ::012::

Hade the same experiance att My other bike ( kawa z750 -09) ... First drive with mobil 1 power 1 racing ( red oil ) ... Butt newer like the feeling in the clutch and gear, changera to SBK racing 10w-50 API SM , MA 2 ... And it felt better

 

[yamabob]

Try greasing the shifter pivot. Worked for me.

 

[frez]

::026::

The shifter pivot gets dry and then starts to stick a bit causing issues with downshifting. A squirt of WD40 will do as a temporary measure until you grease it properly.

 

[twinrider]

Thanks for all the tips. ::008::

I had forgotten about greasing the shifter, haven't done that for a while.

 

[trikepilot]

The shifter pivot gets alot of attention here at the forum and deservedly so as it is a super quick fix that solves the problem MOST of the time. However, it does not solve the problem all of the time. And continuing to chime in with that as the fix despite the fact that the OP has already posted that shifter pivot lube has not worked (like in thread linked below) will cause as much frustration as Dallara reading a gas tank capacity thread.

All that notwithstanding... I am having shifting issues and it is looking to not be due to a crusty shifter pivot.

For those that are not so interested in navigating the byzantine search function here at the site, there are two other options for shifting issues that I have teased out of the archives over the past week.

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=8527.0

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=8095.0

Like Twinrider noted... if the Tenere clutch was a cable system, the shifting notchiness feels like some more tension on the cable would help. I did do a thorough flush and bleed of my clutch fluid since the bike has 15k on the odo and I have no idea of what the PO did. The clutch fluid was a hair low, virtually opaque, and had a fairly large amount of sediment in it. So far this bit of maintenance seems to have helped with my shifting issues. If this "fix" proves to not be the ultimate solution, then I will progress to diagnosing one of the two options noted by other Tenere riders in the above links.

 

[geoag58]

I put a grease zerk in the shifter pivot. It worked for me.

 

[twinrider]

I cleaned and greased the shift pivot and now downshifts are nice and smooth. Also gave the other linkage points a few shots of oil.

 

[Maxified]

I put a grease zerk in the shifter pivot. It worked for me.

Someone else brought up that idea a while back and it's a good one. Wish I'd get it done on my STeed. Perhaps someone who has done that little enhancement could post a pic?

 

[trikepilot]

Ship it to Jaxon and get the folding tip at the same time!!!!

 

[geoag58]

The zerk is at 11 oclock to the foot peg, on the pivot.

 

[Maxified]

Thanks for the pic, that's about the same place I considered drilling/tapping.

 

[twinrider]

The zerk is at 11 oclock to the foot peg, on the pivot.

Neat idea but wouldn't you still want to take it off to clean out the old grease?

 

[Geekay]

Neat idea but wouldn't you still want to take it off to clean out the old grease?

could probably just squeeze new grease in using a grease gun and keep going til only clean stuff seeps from the edge of the roller - would always have clean grease, if slightly wasteful.

 

[Don in Lodi]

could probably just squeeze new grease in using a grease gun and keep going til only clean stuff seeps from the edge of the roller - would always have clean grease, if slightly wasteful.

Use just enough to push some out, doesn't have to be until clean grease shows. A dab will do ya.

 

[Geekay]

Use just enough to push some out, doesn't have to be until clean grease shows. A dab will do ya.

This is true - and is what I would do also.


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[Karson]

I get the stiffer feedback during shifts after racking up a few thousand miles on rotella t6. Nothing I worry about, but plan on getting a used oil analysis done on my next scheduled oil change to see how wear numbers. Apples to oranges I think re: OP's resolution and don't want to start an oil thread, but I know there's a rotella t6 thread out here mentioning the same thing as mileage on it goes up


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[twinrider]

I cleaned and greased the shift pivot and now downshifts are nice and smooth. Also gave the other linkage points a few shots of oil.

This unfortunately has not proven to be a long-term solution. Still getting notchy downshifts, biggest dislike about the bike as it's very annoying in city traffic. Thinking about changing to a new oil. Might also get the clutch fluid changed today and see if that helps.

 

[summitboy]

Mine was getting notchy as well. I lubed the shifter and back to butter smooth shifts. I run Amsoil LOL

 

[Buelligan]

Mine became notchy, and hard to find neutral after about 10,000 miles, and progressively got worse.
No garage queen, or highway tourer, my bike has criss-crossed the rocky mountains numerous times and I'm sure gave my clutch a real workout.
That being said, I was having a hard time finding neutral, and having real hard shifts by the time my bike reached 25,000 miles.
I had tried lubing the shaft, and other "remedies".
What finally cured ALL my shifting problems was a new clutch. When I installed the '14 Clutch basket, I also installed a complete Barnett clutch upgrade.
New plates all around. Let them soak about 48 hours before installing. Shifts like butter now.
All those steep, rocky hills, deep, long, sand washes took it's toll on my clutch. warped metal plates, and worn fiber plates were the result.

Perhaps you should pull your clutch apart, (its not that hard) and take a look. check your metal plates to see if they are warped.

B

::021::