hello everyone.I'm new to the site and other than my introduction post this is my first.Not sure im even posting thread in correct place so feel free to correct me if I've made a mistake...i have an 08 ridgeback and a couple of months into ownership i broke a valve that dropped into the combustion chamber resulting in a more less complete rebuild.When i got my bike back it ran very smooth and strong through all gears but i felt like i needed to adjust the clutch rod/cable because i wasn't totally disengaging when i pulled in the clutch lever and finding neutral was nearly impossible and it lunged into first.Through the help of this website i adjusted the clutch rod/clutch cable to specs and now she slides into neutral up from first or down from second like butter.No lunging or any of the prior issues whatsoever...But now in 3rd gear only when accelerating it is doing something i can only describe as lunging then dragging or a slipping type of feeling.Yet the rms dont jump as they would if the clutch was slipping.And as i said it is only in 3rd gear and only during acceleration.Any input whatsoever would be greatly appreciated...
ANY IDEAS???
- Thread starter Bart330
- Start date
jimizee028
TRUE COLORS COLLISION
Have you checked the clutch hub nut? Its the nut that holds the entire clutch pack to the spline,they are famous for backing off resulting in these types of symptoms...
bigdogtech01
Well-Known Member
How many miles on transmission? Does it feel almost like a jumping feeling of going in and out of gear? It's possible the transmission bearings are failing or the Counter shaft bolt has loosened up, causing the gears to offset. If it was clutch hub nut, most likely you would be feeling it in your clutch lever, and you would not be finding neutral easy. Along with clutch slipping in higher gears. Give me a call if you would like...my number is linked to my Facebook page.
I have not checked the clutch hub nut.As i stated in my intro i have always just taken my bikes to local repair shop so I'm not very knowledge..was hoping to get pointed in the right direction from you guys.To answer BIGDOGTECH01 the transmission has 11000 miles on it and yes it feels like it slides out of gear then slams back in,and only during acceleration.If i shift into third 3rd at 35mph or so the lunging is minimal.its when i start at the bottom of third gear and climb is when its jumping.But before i made the clutch adjustment to correct the lunging and hard shifting it did not do this in 3rd gear which is what was leading me to believe it was in the clutch rather than the transmission...Or maybe im just trying to think positive as the 6k ive spent having it rebuilt has left me a little short in the finances department.If it turns out to be a transmission issue im afraid my dog is gonna have more downtime as i cant afford to have anymore extensive work done to it at this point...
bigdogtech01
Well-Known Member
I can understand the finance thing 
I hate to say it, but it sounds like it's in transmission. I can't say for sure without riding it, but from what your describing, it sounds like it's going in and out of gear..caused from either worn bearings, worn shift fork/s, or loose Counter shaft bolt (or all the above)...any oil leak from left side?(primary side)
FYI, I offer rebuilds starting at $385.
I hate to say it, but it sounds like it's in transmission. I can't say for sure without riding it, but from what your describing, it sounds like it's going in and out of gear..caused from either worn bearings, worn shift fork/s, or loose Counter shaft bolt (or all the above)...any oil leak from left side?(primary side)
FYI, I offer rebuilds starting at $385.
Last edited:
Damn!! Well i am going to most likely have to live with it for the rest of the season and put the money together over the winter to have it addressed..Man i just got it back a month ago after it being in the shop for over a year...Hopefully once i get everything worked out i can get a break from the troubles.Its too bad everyone i talk to has to live hundreds of miles away...Sure can't wait to get my troubles behind me so i can enjoy my rides rather than feel every cruise is a troubleshoot....
ksmike
Active Member
It sounds like your bike is doing the exact same thing mine was, jumping in and out of third gear. It also feels like jumping a tooth on the belt. Found it to be a bent shift fork and shaft. As far as fixes go, it is pretty easy to replace the forks (3). You just have to get the transmission belt pulley off to access the shift fork rod and then the forks come out the top cover.
On mine it was hard to see that the fork was even bent until I compared it to a new one.
On mine it was hard to see that the fork was even bent until I compared it to a new one.
bigdogtech01
Well-Known Member
Your welcome. Yes, shift forks are $44 each x3 if all need replacing. It is pretty easy job, just takes some time to get in and check them. Let me know if I can help you with anything else or if you need some tranny parts.
ok so both of you seem to agree its leaning towards shifting forks?I guess that could explain why i didnt have this issue when i first got it back.When i made the clutch adjustment the rod was sitting at a good 2 turns out as opposed to the 1/4 turn per specs.I rode the bike for 4 or 5 days before i had the time to make the adjustment and in those 4 or 5 days there were a few times when stuck still at a light i had to pretty much slam it down into gears.That would probably be enough to bend those forks huh.Well shit!! Ok..Will i be ok to do my best to avoid that spot in third and wait until winter to fix or could i do further damage?? I am most likely going to attempt to work on it myself..So bigdogtech you say i can get those forks directly from you? And just out of curiosity how many hours of labor would you say you'd have in it if it were being done by you??
bigdogtech01
Well-Known Member
By time everything is said and done, it's a good 2.5-3hrs..you will need to take pulley cover off, then drive pulley itself, along with exhaust, side covers, and top cover...once top cover is off you can remove shift drum..under shift drum you will find shift forks held in via the shift fork rod.
You will want to do this before long, otherwise it will just wear on your gears (that's a lot more $$)
And yes, I can get you any or all forks you need along with anything else.