Tranny jumps out of gear

Robo · #1

I was riding yesterday when I pulled into a golf course to check it out. I pulled off the road and clicked the shifter down to first gear to survey the surroundings (condition of fairways and greens etc.) when pulling back onto the road she jumped out of first gear and I heard a grinding sound so I pulled in the clutch and kicked it back into first gear. Then later in the day when going from first to second it stuck in neutral till I could do some fast foot manuvers. Any suggestions.
The bike is a 83 naked goldwing (see Robert's GL1100 in the lounge) with 58,123 miles. I use mobil 1 full syn oil. Any help would be appreciated.

Try · #2

Robo wrote:I was riding yesterday when I pulled into a golf course to check it out. I pulled off the road and clicked the shifter down to first gear to survey the surroundings (condition of fairways and greens etc.) when pulling back onto the road she jumped out of first gear and I heard a grinding sound so I pulled in the clutch and kicked it back into first gear. Then later in the day when going from first to second it stuck in neutral till I could do some fast foot manuvers. Any suggestions.
The bike is a 83 naked goldwing (see Robert's GL1100 in the lounge) with 58,123 miles. I use mobil 1 full syn oil. Any help would be appreciated.

First check your control cable for too much play, but it can be a
worn dogs on the ends of gear pinions or your stopper arms
not seating correctly...

Dougal · #3

Robbo

If its not clutch adjustment causeing this as Try suggests, then it sounds quite bad and unusual. I suggest that you first remove the transmission front cover and take a look at the selector drum pins. If you cant find it there then its an engine tear down by the sound of it.

Bandanna · #4

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A WORN/BROKEN/OR BENT, SELECTOR FORK,OR AS DOUGAL SUGGESTS MAYBE A SELECTOR DRUM PIN.(DROPPED INTO THE GEARING)

HAVE YOU CHECKED OIL FOR ANY METAL FILINGS???

SOUNDS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, BUT I HOPE NOT MY FRIEND..
WOULD SUGGEST IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION,AND NOT TO USE BIKE AS IS.....

MAY CAUSE MORE DAMAGE THAN YOU WISH FOR..........

KEEP US POSTED.............

Robo · #5

Thanks for the feedback. I will check the clutch adjustment for play. How much play should it have? I have average mechanical skills, so if its ok, I'm going to have to ask alot of questions during this process of figuring out whats wrong with her. Also, I will drain the oil through a cheese cloth to check for metal filings. If it turns out to be serious, any referrals for a good engine shop in NC? Thanks again, it's not exactly the news I wanted to hear, I'm just glad that I found this site and can tap into the wealth of knowledge from good folks like yourselves.

Dougal · #6

No problem with helping out,but might I suggest that you get a workshop manual if you have not alredy doen so. Both Haynes and Clymer do a perfectly good manual for your bike at a reasonable cost. All settings willbe listed and you willbenifit form teh pictures to help explain how to do something.

Dougal

Wing84 · #7

Hi, an easy way to find out if it's clutch adjustment or tranny problem is to try to shit without the engine running and moving the bike back on forward for few inche as you are doing it because you don't need the clutch to do that, if all gear goes in easy your problem is in the clutch adjustment, if they don't go in easy you are up for a tear down.

Try · #8

Robo wrote:Thanks for the feedback. I will check the clutch adjustment for play. How much play should it have?

Have a look at this Topic

Robo wrote: I have average mechanical skills, so if its ok, I'm going to have to ask alot of questions during this process of figuring out whats wrong with her. Also, I will drain the oil through a cheese cloth to check for metal filings. If it turns out to be serious, any referrals for a good engine shop in NC? Thanks again, it's not exactly the news I wanted to hear, I'm just glad that I found this site and can tap into the wealth of knowledge from good folks like yourselves.

We'll try to help you as best we can Robo, as Dougal said: Buy a manual.

Robo · #9

I have ordered a Haynes manual from ebay. Also saw a manual on CD with blown up images when you click on a part. I am waiting to see how the bidding goes this evening.

Thanks again. your advice and willingness to help is greatly appreciated.

Robo · #10

Been out of town, but wanted to get back to everyone who shared their knowledge. I ended up rocking the bike back and forth while the engine was not running and shifting through the gears with out using the clutch. She went into each gear flawlessly. So I adjusted the clutch. So far so good. I rode it through town yesterday (alot of stop and go) and it seemed to work fine. I think with a little more adjustment it will be perfect.

Also, I installed a Plexstar 2 windshield from National Cycles. What a difference. I can actually hear the engine purring while going down the highway. I will send some pix with the wind screen installed.

Thanks again for the help.

Try · #11

Robo wrote:Been out of town, but wanted to get back to everyone who shared their knowledge. I ended up rocking the bike back and forth while the engine was not running and shifting through the gears with out using the clutch. She went into each gear flawlessly. So I adjusted the clutch. So far so good. I rode it through town yesterday (alot of stop and go) and it seemed to work fine. I think with a little more adjustment it will be perfect.

Great news Robo!!

Robo wrote: Also, I installed a Plexstar 2 windshield from National Cycles. What a difference. I can actually hear the engine purring while going down the highway. I will send some pix with the wind screen installed.

Feel free to upload som pics with your windshield.

Robo · #12

If the weather is nice this weekend I will see about getting some shots of her with the new wind shield. It's been raining today with an 80% chance tomorrow.

I have got to find the time to wash, wax and touch up the paint. I've been enjoying riding her too much lately. What is the best way to clean the spoke alloy wheels. The black is starting to look dingy.

One last tech question. When I hit the horn button. I hear a very faint noise (sounds like a faint thump) but it does not come from the horns and my lights dim slightly. I'm thinking it might be a short or could be the horns died. So far I have replaced the headlight bulb, flasher relay because they were not working properly, so maybe the horns have gone south also.

Be safe.

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