Gets hung up/sticks while shifting

hdrocks · Sep 22nd, 2009, 01:11 AM

My 1200C sportster now has about 500 miles. Occasionally, when shifting up, it will not shift the first time and will on the second try. I had the dealer look at it but obviously it did not happen during the test ride. I read that Spectro 6 Speed trans oil 75/140 is the recommend oil. I am wondering if I should have it changed now. I was going to wait till the first 1000 mile maintenance to have all three oils changed. thanks.

NEWHD74FAN · Sep 22nd, 2009, 02:05 AM

Serendipity, Please take note: Sportster only has two holes, 1) Engine oil stored in oil tank...HDT poll results prefer Mobil I V-Twin 100% Synthetic; 2) Clutch, Transmission, Chaincase...again HDT poll results prefer Spectrol 85W Primary Chaincase Gear Lube...and NOT 100% Synthetic because of the oil wetted clutch operation may experience early failure due to friction modifiers/additives.

hdrocks · Sep 22nd, 2009, 02:31 AM

thanks. as expected, learned something new and hope for more in the future. I am wondering if this is normal for new bikes. The dealer did mention something to the fact that it may be hard to put it into neutral initially but i have no problem there.

glider · Sep 22nd, 2009, 07:49 AM

It could be a clutch adjustment that is needed.

hjacobson1 · Sep 22nd, 2009, 09:53 AM

Serendipity, Your shifting technique coupled with the low mileage may be more of an issue than anything. If you have not had an HD before or in a long time, you will find the Sportster transmission requires a good solid movement of your foot to engage the gears. Mine has gotten steadily better (read smoother)over the miles ridden (now about 7500mi). As a matter of fact, the more I ride it, the better I like it. So, your "fix" may just be to ride, ride and ride!

Be safe.

Jake

hdrocks · Sep 22nd, 2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjacobson1

Serendipity, Your shifting technique coupled with the low mileage may be more of an issue than anything. If you have not had an HD before or in a long time, you will find the Sportster transmission requires a good solid movement of your foot to engage the gears. Mine has gotten steadily better (read smoother)over the miles ridden (now about 7500mi). As a matter of fact, the more I ride it, the better I like it. So, your "fix" may just be to ride, ride and ride!

Be safe.

Jake

like your suggestion. trying to hit 1000 before the winter. Just got Atlas and Gazetteer, recommended by many here.. If i see it getting worse, i will have them check it out at my 1000 maintenance. thanks!

Breeze3at · Sep 22nd, 2009, 02:44 PM

Serendipity; Is it possible that occasionally you are not letting the lever return to center after shifting, then trying to shift again? Sometimes when I am getting on it, I don't let the lever return, and miss a shift.

fin_676 · Sep 22nd, 2009, 05:22 PM

Make sure the gear change leaver is correctly positioned for your boots
if not undo and remove the pinch bolt and you can pull the gear change leaver off the shaft rotate it round i Set of splines and re fit

Brian

hdrocks · Sep 22nd, 2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breeze3at

Serendipity; Is it possible that occasionally you are not letting the lever return to center after shifting, then trying to shift again? Sometimes when I am getting on it, I don't let the lever return, and miss a shift.

hmmm, not sure. Now you told me, next time it happpens, I will try to see if i did that. thanks.

fwcole · Sep 25th, 2009, 07:13 PM

could be shifter pawl adjustment

Sep 22nd, 2009, 01:11 AM	#1
hdrocks Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 1200 sportster custom Join Date: Aug 13th, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 81	Gets hung up/sticks while shifting My 1200C sportster now has about 500 miles. Occasionally, when shifting up, it will not shift the first time and will on the second try. I had the dealer look at it but obviously it did not happen during the test ride. I read that Spectro 6 Speed trans oil 75/140 is the recommend oil. I am wondering if I should have it changed now. I was going to wait till the first 1000 mile maintenance to have all three oils changed. thanks.

Sep 22nd, 2009, 02:05 AM	#2
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 3,716 My Mood:	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting Serendipity, Please take note: Sportster only has two holes, 1) Engine oil stored in oil tank...HDT poll results prefer Mobil I V-Twin 100% Synthetic; 2) Clutch, Transmission, Chaincase...again HDT poll results prefer Spectrol 85W Primary Chaincase Gear Lube...and NOT 100% Synthetic because of the oil wetted clutch operation may experience early failure due to friction modifiers/additives. __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Sep 22nd, 2009, 02:31 AM	#3
hdrocks Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 1200 sportster custom Join Date: Aug 13th, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 81	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting thanks. as expected, learned something new and hope for more in the future. I am wondering if this is normal for new bikes. The dealer did mention something to the fact that it may be hard to put it into neutral initially but i have no problem there.

Sep 22nd, 2009, 07:49 AM	#4
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,469 My Mood:	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting It could be a clutch adjustment that is needed. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Sep 22nd, 2009, 09:53 AM	#5
hjacobson1 Contributor$ Ride: Nightster Join Date: Jan 22nd, 2008 Location: Waterford, WI Posts: 97 My Mood:	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting Serendipity, Your shifting technique coupled with the low mileage may be more of an issue than anything. If you have not had an HD before or in a long time, you will find the Sportster transmission requires a good solid movement of your foot to engage the gears. Mine has gotten steadily better (read smoother)over the miles ridden (now about 7500mi). As a matter of fact, the more I ride it, the better I like it. So, your "fix" may just be to ride, ride and ride! Be safe. Jake

Sep 22nd, 2009, 02:44 PM	#7
Breeze3at Play The Throttle Ride: 2007 Electra Glide Classic Join Date: Aug 18th, 2009 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 316 My Mood:	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting Serendipity; Is it possible that occasionally you are not letting the lever return to center after shifting, then trying to shift again? Sometimes when I am getting on it, I don't let the lever return, and miss a shift. __________________ Different rides for different reasons, and knees in the breeze in all four seasons.

Sep 22nd, 2009, 05:22 PM	#8
fin_676 Moderators Ride: 1992 Softail Custom Join Date: Dec 21st, 2008 Location: Banffshire,Scotland Posts: 452 My Mood:	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting Make sure the gear change leaver is correctly positioned for your boots if not undo and remove the pinch bolt and you can pull the gear change leaver off the shaft rotate it round i Set of splines and re fit Brian

Sep 25th, 2009, 07:13 PM	#10
fwcole Warming The Wheels Ride: 03 dyna Join Date: Sep 24th, 2009 Posts: 87 My Mood:	Re: Gets hung up/sticks while shifting could be shifter pawl adjustment

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