Hard to downshift when cold

[Boozer]

Does have any experience with their FJR not wanting to come out of 5th gear when cold. Never had this problem on my 07. It shifts fine going up. I have changed the clutch fluid and it doesn't feel like it's dragging. It will come out of 5th easier if I blip the throttle. I'm wondering if I should soak the clutch plates. Works good when warmed up. This is a 13 if it makes a difference.

[wheatonFJR]

So...just to get this straight: You've warmed up the bike, you've run up the gears so you are in high freeway speeds, and you go to shift back down to fourth and it doesn't want to? feels funny?

[Cav47]

Not intending to sound like a jerk, but just warm it up before you get to 5th. I am not sure of viscosity of certain liquids or the clutch plate slip rate, but if it works better warmed up, I bet you are gonna be fine.

You are pulling the clutch in when shifting right??? Kidding.

It's kinda like that doctor who says "if it hurts when you do that, don't keep doing that"

I sometimes take off without warming the engine up much, but also expect it to take a while before all systems are go. Like tires and suspension, they need time to get up to temp.

Just like all these old dudes on the forum, they need time to get warmed up before they can perform correctly!

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on the 13 upgrade! Gen 3s are great.

[Boozer]

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify, I warm the bike up for a few minutes before taking off and it's the worst the first time I downshift which is only a quarter mile down the road. It's been doing it for awhile and I'm not really that concerned about it. I just wondered if others had the same experience. The warmer it gets the better it works. And yes I am one of those old guys. BTW I might get to meet you in couple of weeks. Poolboy is trying to talk me into attending SFO.

[wheatonFJR]

I have a 13, and mine does not behave like what you are describing...definitely keep looking into this issue until you are satisfied.

[NTXFJR]

What oil are you using?

[Boozer]

I'm using MOTUL right now but she's do for an oil change this weekend. When I changed oil last time they ran out of the oil I usually run and I bought the higher grade MOTUL competition oil. I've used the normal MOTUL for awhile and never had this issue. That's what is going back in the bike this time.

[Cav47]

Now that we know that other info about warming it up, that does seem a little strange. Oil changes have a significant effect on shifting, mostly noticeable to me in the lower gears, but I have a superior 15ES, the finest of all FJRs. Like Wheatie said, you certainly could investigate. But the oil change should be done first to eliminate that variable.

SFO will be a great time. If you go, you can share some hammock time with PoolBoy. He has been known to do some hammock swinging with attendees.

[Boozer]

I agree with the oil change first. I would have changed it a little earlier to eliminate it but it gets expensive changing the oil when you know it's good oil. Yeah I've seen the picture of PoolBoy and Pants in the hammock. Had a good time at CFO riding with PoolBoy and his wife all day Sat. I think we covered 400 miles that day and just made it to dinner.

[Bounce]

When there is a bigger job that I take it to a dealership (that I include and oil change) I can tell they didn't use full synthetic before I get out of the parking lot. It does shift harder without it.

[Boozer]

Well I changed the oil hoping it would fix the issue but no joy. This morning I warmed up the bike and put it into first gear and the bike tried to lurch forward. Luckily I have always applied the front brake when dropping into gear. The motor died and I now know that I have to dismantle the clutch and clean, soak the plates. Maybe while I'm in there I'll put a slipper clutch in.

[O2bafloat]

Sounds like you have a grippy clutch. I had it on an older Kawisaki. Experimented with an oil and had to change the oil. Pull the clutch plates. Reassemble the clutch was fine until I sold the bike 17,000 miles later.

[raYzerman]

I vote for the clutch soak in this case (you really don't have to soak the plates any more than 1/2 hr.... The FJR's system does not put a lot of oil on the clutch, so you'll find it reasonably dry on the outer plates. The oil mainly hits the inner plates. You may find the plates need cleaning also...... betcha you're good to go after that. It's a one hour job, and as long as you're careful taking the cover off, you won't need a new gasket.

[MrZappo]

As far as a clutch "soak", there is nothing to "soak" per se ... Just slather the plates in oil and reassemble them dripping wet ... I dipped mine ... As far as "soaking" they are made of metal ... And some grip material. Nothing that really absorbs oil ... Remove, clean, dip, reassemble ... Easy ...


I did mine 20,000 miles ago and no further problems ...

[HotRodZilla]

How is your clutch lever adjusted? If it's all the way in, or even the first couple of numbers, the lever won't disengage the clutch enough to get smooth shifts.

[Boozer]

I have the lever set in the middle. I will try to change the setting but am pretty confident it just needs a good clean. It's getting cold here so my riding season is about done, but I will probably tackle this next weekend. We always have some warmer days in Nov, so I want to ride when I can until the dreaded first salt hits the road and then I'm done for season. Thanks for all the replies. In couple of years when I retire I'm moving south so I wont have to deal with a no ride season.

[Redfish]

How is your clutch lever adjusted? If it's all the way in, or even the first couple of numbers, the lever won't disengage the clutch enough to get smooth shifts.

And if the brass bushing in the lever is worn that adds to what 'Zilla said.

[Boozer]

I will check everything when I get a down day. Drill weekend now so I'm at work, well supposed to be working. Those damn ride reports keep sucking me in.

[Redfish]

Ride Reports suck.

[HotRodZilla]

Ride Reports suck.

Oh, whaaaaah. Here we go...