Transmission shifting by itself. Need a little help

[BadBrad]

Hey guys/gals,
The dog has been running pretty good this summer, but Saturday while taking a ride, the transmission shifted from 3rd back to 2nd. I shifted back into 3rd and it immediately did it again. This time, I couldn't get it to shift back into any gear. I released the clutch then pulled it in again and finally the bike began to shift again. Almost like it was between gears. Rode fine for the rest of the trip. Then this morning, same thing. It upshifted by itself, I couldn't get it to up or down shift, popped the clutch a few times, then it finally started to shift again. Tranny is full of fluid. Shift linkage looks to be ok. One of my buddies on the other site said it might be a shifter paw, but I have no idea what that is. The tranny is the one thing I generally will take it to the shop for. I had a main shaft break last year and it was completely rebuilt. Any help on things to look for would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brad

 

[firedog19]

:bang:I think you need a gremlin bell to keep those critters off so they wont shift for you

 

[woodbutcher]

damn, firedog, i started to ask if he had lost his bell!!!!!

good minds think alike.

 

[BadBrad]

I'll have to check, but I think my bell is still in place. If a bell was all it took to keep our dogs running, you would hear us coming from miles away.

 

[Moespeeds]

Pull the top inspection cover on the trans and look down in there with a flashlight for anything obvious. You'll see a little arm there towards the primary that's attached to the inside of the shift arm. It rests on top of an indexed gear, that is the shifter pawl. Put the bike in 3rd gear, and look at how the pawl is sitting, it has 2 little fingers on it, so when you actuate the shifter it pulls the shift drum forward or back to shift. In 3rd gear, the tooth on the drum gear should be centered between the two "fingers" on the pawl. If it isn't, look down between the tansmission and the primary where the shift arm is (outside the trans), there is a little allen head with a locking nut on it. It's a bitch to get tools down there but if you cut an allen wrench short you can do it. Unlock the nut with some ninja-like hand tool skills and turn that little allen head back and forth to get the pawl centered over the gear tooth. Make sure you are in 3rd gear. Here is a totally awesome drawing showing a side view.

 

[Husker-Wolf]

Good info! :up:

 

[narow37]

sounds like shifter pawl to me. not to big of a deal to fix. I made a new gasket out of material and it has held up just fine.

 

[Five Five]

Pull the top inspection cover on the trans and look down in there with a flashlight for anything obvious. You'll see a little arm there towards the primary that's attached to the inside of the shift arm. It rests on top of an indexed gear, that is the shifter pawl. Put the bike in 3rd gear, and look at how the pawl is sitting, it has 2 little fingers on it, so when you actuate the shifter it pulls the shift drum forward or back to shift. In 3rd gear, the tooth on the drum gear should be centered between the two "fingers" on the pawl. If it isn't, look down between the tansmission and the primary where the shift arm is (outside the trans), there is a little allen head with a locking nut on it. It's a bitch to get tools down there but if you cut an allen wrench short you can do it. Unlock the nut with some ninja-like hand tool skills and turn that little allen head back and forth to get the pawl centered over the gear tooth. Make sure you are in 3rd gear. Here is a totally awesome drawing showing a side view.

Thanks Moe .... I learned something today:up:

 

[BadBrad]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at it tonight and let you know what I find. Sure hope it's that easy to fix.

 

[Moespeeds]

Thanks Five Five, I got some mad drawing skills. You should see my stick figures, it's like Van Gogh type shit.

 

[Oscar Maldonado]

I got some mad drawing skills. You should see my stick figures, it's like Van Gogh type shit.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[erldawg]

Thanks Five Five, I got some mad drawing skills. You should see my stick figures, it's like Van Gogh type shit.

:roll::roll::roll:

Do you still have both ears Moe? :roll:

 

[Raywood]

I may be coming through that area tomorrow if you need some help!

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Thanks Moe .... I learned something today:up:

I did as well!

Not to highjack this thread just trying to drop some knowledge on myself!

Question! Is he adjusting it in 3rd gear because thats where his trouble lies? Or adjusting it because 3rd gear is a good gauge for a 6 spd?

Will adjusting the paw in 3rd gear also adjust it for other gears? I guess I would have to look at how the mechanism works but in my head (and with Moe's Van Gogh type shit drawing) if you adjust one you adjust all? No? Or am I missing something

 

[Moespeeds]

Adjust in 3rd because that's the center of the range. Imagine if the pawl or gear were machined slightly off, the further you get from 3rd, the larger the error. If you center it in first or sixth, the error will be much larger at the opposite end. Always center in the center gear. It's a shifter PAWL. Cats have paws, I hate cats, and so did Van Gogh.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Adjust in 3rd because that's the center of the range. Imagine if the pawl or gear were machined slightly off, the further you get from 3rd, the larger the error. If you center it in first or sixth, the error will be much larger at the opposite end. Always center in the center gear. It's a shifter PAWL. Cats have paws, I hate cats, and so did Van Gogh.

Thats what I assumed, I was just curious. Just wanted to make sure that it wasn't based on his issue revolving around 3rd gear. Makes sense!

My bad with "paw" versus "pawl". I looked at your drawing quick and thought it was "PAW!" I thought you were trying to say you love cats! Although I hate cats, but dogs have paws. Now I'm really confused.:loony:

 

[troppushcet]

If your shifting problem started happening recently and have over 3000 miles on your bike, I don't think it would be a shifter pawl adjustment unless the jam nut on the adjuster screw is loose. I would check your shift forks and fork rod.

 

[BadBrad]

If your shifting problem started happening recently and have over 3000 miles on your bike, I don't think it would be a shifter pawl adjustment unless the jam nut on the adjuster screw is loose. I would check your shift forks and fork rod.

From looking and reading the manual about shift forks, it appears that these are in a fixed position on the fork rod. I have about 18000 miles on the bike and this problem did just start happening. I guess once I get the cover off the transmission, I'll see if the pawl is centered in 3rd gear. If it is, what am I looking for as far as the shift forks and shift rod are concerned? A bent rod? Worn forks? I'm hoping it's just a loose jam nut on the pawl.

 

[troppushcet]

It would be nice if it is just a shifter pawl adjustment....but if its not? When you have your top cover removed, you will have to remove the shift drum to expose the shift forks and fork rod. Then carefully spinning the fork rod by hand and watching the shift forks...if they seem to have any movement...like up and down. The fork rod is bent...if you don't see any movement? Then I would remove the shift forks and look for wear and with that many miles I bet you will find main 2nd shift fork with heavy wear on the pads or even groove marks and counter 3rd shift fork bent...you can check to see if it is bent by placing the shift fork pads only on a flat surface like glass and if it is bent it will rock. I hope this helps you.

 

[Moespeeds]

I agree, if it ain't the pawl ajustment, forks are next, and maybe dogs on the gears. Look at the little nubs on the sides of the gears that lock them to each other. If it's bouncing in and out of gear these will wear quickly. If you replace the forks make sure you also replace the guide rod they ride on. It's only a few bucks more. Baker has exploded views of the transmissions with part numbers on their website.