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Is this normal?

bryanchurch06

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Nov 4, 2022
Messages
711
I rode the 1st mile today around the block, the shifter will only shift gears if I am moving. So at a full stop I can shift into neutral and up into 1st, cannot shift into 2 unless I'm doing 10mi and reving the engine. Shifter feels very stiff unlike the supercub which can run through the gears standing still and is very smooth. Both bikes are new with zero miles to start. Can the cold weather be a factor? I see people in video working the shifter by hand while the bike is on the center stand. I am hoping this isn't a issue that requires a visit to the dealership.
 

bryanchurch06

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Joined
Nov 4, 2022
Messages
711
Update
I let the bike run for several minutes on the center stand, once the bike was warm I was able to hand shift quite easily thru the gears. Still not as smooth as I want but not the disaster I imagined, I have no idea what I was doing while riding to cause the issue. While reading the threads I read not to shift thru the gears without moving the wheel? I see this practice quite often by the YouTube mechanics I watch online. I am trying to research further the last thing I want to do is destroy my transmission.
 

m in sc

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Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,434
Location
Rockhill, SC
its better to have it moving, trust me on this. I've rebuilt enough transmissions with damaged shift forks to attest tot he fact that it should only be shifted when rolling when it can be helped. 2 to n or 1 to n is kinda different, but the rest, yes, for sure, try to be moving.
 

bryanchurch06

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 4, 2022
Messages
711
its better to have it moving, trust me on this. I've rebuilt enough transmissions with damaged shift forks to attest tot he fact that it should only be shifted when rolling when it can be helped. 2 to n or 1 to n is kinda different, but the rest, yes, for sure, try to be moving.
Thanks, I was actually reading your old posts most of the afternoon lots of great info there. I've ridden bikes since mid 70s and I've never thought about it before I guess I just did what I saw everyone else doing just shows you are never to old to learn. I am thankful to all of you who have taken the time to post your tips, tricks and even mistakes here. Really helps alot when your switching to a new style of riding, I've spent the last 35 yrs on large street bikes and this is a whole new ballgame for me.
 

SneakyDingo

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Aug 6, 2021
Messages
1,560
Always have a little movement in the transmission when shifting. It seems that everything just moves a little better when it's moving slightly. The Honda owner's manual has a mention of rapid shifting will cause damage to the transmission.

If you think of a derailleur system on a bicycle, those always worked best when you were moving slightly and then shifted. Use the same approach.

That being said, shifting is a pretty good indication for whether the engine oil needed replacement on my bike after you've run it up a bunch of miles. When I didn't have the shift support, I'd get a LOT of missed shifts when the oil was degraded. After that, shifting being a bit sloppy is also an indication that the clutch requires adjustment.

My bike was a little... "stiff" in some ways (like shifting) until it was worn in, and it rode a lot better after the 800 mi service.
 

m in sc

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Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,434
Location
Rockhill, SC
well, motorcycle transmissions have shift dogs that need to line up, and if you force them together when not aligned, they can be chipped and also bend the shift forks.

this is a very basic overview to help visualize the parts, and yes, most are the same, even ours:

this is also why quick shifters for a split second cut the ignition, it unloads the transmission allowing time for the gears to unload, align, and slide together. it gets even trickier when they are undercut (which is basically a dove tail on the dog and receiver) but that doesn't apply here on the ct125's.
 

bryanchurch06

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Joined
Nov 4, 2022
Messages
711
Mine has always been finicky while shifting into 2nd. It seems better at about 18mph.
I've realized part of my problem is the heel shifter, which is crazy because on my 2022 supercub I have no problem at all. There is a difference in the angle or size on the 2 bikes, I cannot heel shift at all on the trail
 
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