Triumphrat

sawtooth · 08-15-2007

I have '96 Sprint 900.. its new to me and is in very good condition.

I don't know if its me or the bike or both... I am having a bear of time
getting it into first unless I am at a dead stop.

If I roll up to make a very low speed turn or if do a slow rolling "California" stop it will not drop down into first..if anything it will go from second to neutral and not go any further.

Again, if I come to a complete stop, I can hit first..almost any forward momentum prevents me from getting to first.

Is this normal? is there somthing wrong and should I be worried? or is it just a learning curve??

BadMiker · 08-16-2007

I've never had any problems with my gearbox; changes smoothly and positively with a decent kick.

It might be that you are being too gentle with it (the key is to be 'firm' but not violent!) or, if the bike is very very low mileage or the gearbox has just been rebuilt then it might be stiff.

Most likely though is a binding clutch. Unless the clutch is completely disengaging then the change will be stiff. Another sign would be the bike changeing into gear with a clunk or a lurch. Bleed the clutch fluid to start with (check recent threads for some clutch fluid discussion). If this doesnt help then it's possible that your plates are warped. You need to strip the clutch and have a look at them then; warped plates look blued or unevenly coloured.

Very old oil can upset changes too; check your dipstick for black/gunk/nastiness.

Hope this helps, let us know how you get on.

sawtooth · 08-16-2007

When I bought the bike, the clutch fluid was very milky.

I had it flushed immediately and filled with new fluid. I have no idea how long it was like that or if it just sat a gathered moisture.

The wrench who did the job said that there were lots of particles and filth in the clutch fluid..and when I ask him if I should be concerned...he said it should be fine. To me.. it meant it definitely needed to be changed but it the condition was nothing too extreme. No idea.

I guess I just ride it and see what happens. The shifts are positive.

On my way back to the office...I slowed to to take a rolling turn, dropped into second..made the turn but was forced to reduce speed further due to oncoming traffic, road construction etc.

I clutched and went to go to first and it went to neutral. Made sure I had a full squeeze on the clutch...still no better than neutral. Brought it back up to second and gave her a little throttle (almost in a stall) and then was able to drop her into first.

No clue

LongRoadHome · 08-19-2007

mine got stiff shifting because the slave cylinder on the clutch had trash in it. I had bled almost 2 full bottles of fluid through it trying to chase an air bubble down before I concluded it was bleeding by in either the master or the slave.
Is it stiff if you clutch it again in neutral before trying to go to first (e.g. double clutch)?

milky oil often indicates a blown head gasket, but I'm not sure on these bikes. definitely sounds like a good bit of moisture got in there. Other than leaving the oil dipstick out during a downpour, I'd be trying to pin down the source of that water.

sawtooth · 08-21-2007

no the clutch is not overly stiff nor is the shift.

as illustrated in my last post..it just won't shift down to the first at low speed...you are in second..and go to shift to first and it goes to neutral an no further...frustrating

i don't know if it would be worth flushing the clutch fluid again or not...

the few times i rode it with the milky clutch fluid..it seemed to shift better than it does now...at least goinf from second to first

trypcil · 08-27-2007

Have you tried adjusting the play in the foot lever, or simply moved it's duration? Did you recently do an oil change
- if not put in or mobil 4T at best or any of mobil's synsethic car oils(not energy saving),what ever the correct viscosity for the bike is and change the filter.

Major Kong · 08-28-2007

+1
New oil esp. Mobil motorcycle will do wonders for shift quality.

If you put firm, but steady pressure on the lever, and gradually release the clutch lever, it should pop into gear when you get about 1/4 way out on lever travel. Immediately pull in the lever and lift shift lever foot and then reapply (like shifting into 1st gear like normal).

That procedure helps with a straight cut dog gear box. I think Triumph runs straight dogs?

Anyway, it always worked with my old Sprint.

Zip/Kong

ervdrvr1 · 08-29-2007

sawtooth,
Set the clutch lever adjuster dial out to the farthest setting and re-blead the clutch. May still have an air bubble in it. If you still have probs, could be a clutch prob or selector fork bent/worn, shift drum binding/worn, neutral or gear detent arm bent/spring weak/broken.

Erv