Not going into neutral when hot.

Every morning when I get to work I cannot get the bike into neutral, sometime i can shift it once, but it goes from first to second, because I have put a reasonable amount of pressure on the shifter. I have recently tightened up the clutch cable, but it is still doing it. This problem on seems to happen when i get to work. I have no trouble putting it into neutral at lights, or when i get home.

I did think it was the fact that my last bit of commute is very clutch heavy, low speed stuff and lots of waiting at lights. This morning I made sure I went to neutral for every light, it was fine, until i parked up at work.

Has anyone heard of this happening, or have any ideas how to sort it.

I am currently turning the engine off, shifting to neutral, switching the electrics to check its in neutral and parking up. It shifts into neutral no problems then.

[dirtydog]

You're bike obviously doesn't like where you work, get a new job!

No I'm not particularly helpful am I?

I find if I roll my bike backwards whilst in gear (which I do at work) I struggle to get N after. I make a point of hitting it in before going backwards now.

Oil level correct? My first curvy was a pig to get into neutral if oil was over full.

[dizzyblonde]

Oil too high? Or not enough. Badly adjusted

Or just a load of crap built up behind the sprocket cover. Road dirt and tyre particles mixed with chain oil is a lovely sludgy mess behind there.

As above, both my curvies have been like that if filled a little too much. They usually wee it out of the clutch cover via the bolt holes if its way way too full though

Oil is good. Thought it might be the rolling backwards, But I roll it backwards at home too. And I can't knock it out of gear before.

Possibly just need to give it a good clean. Also given that we are pretty much through the winter now.

Good point DDog. I'll look into it.

[Fallout]

If you're gentle on the downshift from 2nd after a failed attempt to get N from 1st, it may pop in. Another option is just to find neutral before you actually stop. In the last few metres when rolling before parking (i.e. as soon as you clutch in and roll off the throttle), things tend to be happier to shift about.

Not a "proper" solution, but I have this problem sometimes and this works for me. I don't know why.

When you are stationary on the bike, hold the front brake in as well as the clutch and bounce the front of the bike by putting your weight forward. Sit back. Try shifting into N again.

Gently preload the gear lever whilst slowly rocking the bike backwards and forwards. Always worked for me.

[Sid Squid]

Adjust the clutch.

As it warms the plates expand - the present adjustment is sufficient to lift the clutch cleanly when cold, but not when it's hot and expanded.

Originally Posted by Me, lots.

Slacken off cable adjusters at top and bottom, loosen lifter locknut, back out screw a bit, ensure that lifter arm is as far down as it will go, gently turn screw in until it contacts pushrod, back it out a bit, (~1/8th of a turn), then nip up the locknut, roughly adjust cable with lower adjuster - not too tight - then with top adjuster ensure that there remains a little slack all the way from lock to lock.