Subject: Downshifting
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: May 5, 2003, 5:56 AM
Post ID: 1712869186
Finally got some time to work on Patience yesterday. Synched the carbs
with my carb stix - thanx Pat Hayes for the perfect step by step
directions! She runs much much smoother now. Also had to tighten down
both of the exhaust header nuts - Cam noticed a puff of exhaust come out
the right side when I fired her up, and during a "get her hot" test ride
before synching the carbs, I saw that nut turning about as I rode. Not
Good. Both sides were loose, the right was terribly loose. All
tightened down now. Also had to fix a busted connector on the nuetral
switch, works now.
Now on to the downshifting question. When I took off the battery tray a
few weeks ago to gain access to the trans plate where the shifter return
spring is (I made my own gasket for that plate as it was leaking and
used some gasket goop in addition - worked! No more trans fluid leak!)
I think I may have stretched the clutch cable a little as I was removing
it. During the intial warm up ride, I noticed that downshifting to 1st
as I slowed down/stopped getting ready to take off again was nearly
impossible. Had to start in 2nd gear quite a few times. I got her home
and adjusted the cable a bit, turning the nut in so the shifting arm
moved towards the trans case figuring that would get me more pull on the
clutch for better release. Took her for another test ride after making
this adjustment and synching the carbs and still had the same problem.
Upshifting was smooth and downshifting down to 2nd was perfect, but it
was a bear slipping her into nuetral or 1st. Got back home and checked
the clutch handle for 1/8 inch clearance and had none, so I backed out
the nut which moved the shifting arm towards the rear tire to get 1/8
clearance. Haven't had the chance to try that adjustment out yet as "my
time ran out" and it was time to head over to a family BBQ. Any
thoughts on why I am having trouble getting into 1st gear? Was my
adjustment process correct, i.e., turn the night inward so the arm pulls
more towards the rear case to get more throw on the clutch, or is it
opposite? Should I be concerned with 1/8 inch clearance on the handle?
Thanx!
Keith Ruff
71 Police Ambassador - NJ