trans

On my 99 RK every once in a while I seem to miss 5th gear? I change the trany oil every spring. I think this started happening about 2~3 seasons ago? Just wondering if anyone could share some info...

When you say that you "miss" 5th gear, is it slipping, jerking, clanging, or just by passing the gear totaly? Let me know. Ride Safe, David.

When I say it misses 5th gear, I mean that it is just like I have found neutral between 4th & 5th gears. Pulling the clutch back in and giving the shifter another slap toward 5th resolves the problem. Not good when you’re already at 6000 rpm before shifting...

Running fast so will make this short and to the point.


Possible causes:

Worn or improperly adjusted linkage and or Heim joints.

Worn bushing in the primary where the foot shift linkage goes through.

Shift Pawl adjuster screw not adjusted properly. This is the adjuster screw right next to the shift arm on the tranny. It must be set so the pressure during travel is egual on both sides and the lever centers. This is a critical adjustment and has a huge effect on shifting.

Bent shift forks. Since you mentioned banging gears at 6k, you may have bent the shift forks. This is real common on the FL models with heel / toe shifter because there is a tendency to stomp down on the upshift and this puts a huge strain on the shift forks. If you use the heel to upshift do not use it when speed shifting!!!! That heel can exert a lot more force than your toe does.

Other possibilities, lazy foot, not getting full clutch release, worn shifter drum and some others.

Time for a service manual and some checking.

Thanks for the info, again!