[signoredavide]

So I ride a gs500, and one day last week I decided to coast in neutral downhill for two blocks near my house. The engine was pretty close to operating temp, maybe not fully though. Anyways I came to a complete stop after coasting and engaged it in first gear then the engine died, started it up again put It in first and started going. I'm sure i screed something up though because sometimes I can't engage 3rd or 4th on my first try, the shifter just wont go up. I've also noticed that the clutch has a much higher friction point, like almost the top of the range. I barely have to pull the clutch at all to engage it, whereas before it would engage at about mid range.

So did I screw something up? I didn't think it could be that bad to coast in neutral...

 

[Steve G.]

As long as you don't coast along with the engine off. Some bikes, and I don't know every one, pump oil into the gearbox, and this does not happen obviously when the engine is off. The Honda CBX is one bike where this is a definite no do.

Steve

 

[Francis]

Sorry to hijack, but does anyone ever "coast" with the clutch pulled it while you're in 5th or 6th (or any other ones)? I don't think it's bad, but I'd like some confirmation.

 

[mickm]

Sorry to hijack, but does anyone ever "coast" with the clutch pulled it while you're in 5th or 6th (or any other ones)? I don't think it's bad, but I'd like some confirmation.

Francis, create your own thread....

Regarding coasting, sometimes I'll "coast" as I slow down towards a red light. I'll be in 5th or 6th, clutch engaged while the bike gradually slows down. When the light turns green, since the clutch is already pulled, I'll quickly gear down to the correct gear (2nd or 3rd) so the bike can continue to move forward.

 

[Mr.Sushi ya ha]

Not bad on wet sump bikes....but what might have happened is by coasting you cooled the engine, then when you went to start it it was below operating temp...hence the thing dying...dono about the shifting tho??? if it has linkage from the shifter to the engine sometimes that needs a good lubing up...

 

[vancitymike]

As long as you don't coast along with the engine off. Some bikes, and I don't know every one, pump oil into the gear box, and this does not happen obviously when the engine is off. The Honda CBX is one bike where this is a definite no do.

Steve

That would make sense, I did coast my bike @ Britania beach last Sunday after going thru all the traffic and I noticed Monday that my clutch needed adjustment. But, that could of been because of the stop n go in traffic. Hard to say.
I would say that because the engine is idling, the clutches and gears don't get sufficient lube, because the oil pressure is low at idle.
I'm making an assumption here. I don't know much about bikes.

 

[Steve G.]

That would make sense, I did coast my bike @ Britania beach last Sunday after going thru all the traffic and I noticed Monday that my clutch needed adjustment. But, that could of been because of the stop n go in traffic. Hard to say.
I would say that because the engine is idling, the clutches and gears don't get sufficient lube, because the oil pressure is low at idle.
I'm making an assumption here. I don't know much about bikes.

That's not quite what I said.
You will not damage your engine/gearbox whilst coasting, engine running, clutch pulled in. Only if the engine is turned off, doing the same coasting, can you damage gearbox internals in some bikes which use pressurized oil lubrication, instead of splash lubrication.

Steve

 

[greenboy]

As an aside.

Coasting in neutral for two blocks is something I would avoid simply for safety reasons. You may have to suddenly get on the gas to avoid a hazard, and that split second of shifting into gear, or the right gear, to get you out of trouble may be the world of difference you need.

 

[vancitymike]

@ Steve.

My bad. Thanks for clarifying

 

[Darkcbr]

I coast in neutral all the time. It's not bad for your transmission. Sounds to me like your clutch needs to be bled.

 

[signoredavide]

Is the friction point on bikes usually about halfway of the full range of the clutch?
Because it just seemed to change as soon as I let it go in neutral. Maybe it's just me...

 

[KillahK]

you had me at Screwed up Tranny!!




HAYYYYOOOOOOO

 

[Elder_MMHS]

Is the friction point on bikes usually about halfway of the full range of the clutch?
Because it just seemed to change as soon as I let it go in neutral. Maybe it's just me...

It's somewhat adjustable in terms of play. From the factory, the clutch engagement on the GS500 is near the top of the lever. You will want to check the tightness of the adjustment nut at the lever end (pull back the rubber cover, it's the wide, thin "disc" nut) as well as at the front sprocket cover end (covered by another rubber cover) and make sure nothing is loose.

 

[enomis]

If i see a red light up ahead I gear down to 2nd gear or 1st depending on how far I am, than I coast it close enough to the car ahead. I will stop if I have to..if not I will just continue on in a low gear

 

[Dan_T]

as other people have stated, it definitely doesn't sound like a transmission problem. Sounds like something clutch related.