Why is it so hard to find neutral?
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Why is it so hard to find neutral? Eat Dirt 04-24-2008
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Posted by Eat Dirt on April 24, 2008, 4:48 am
When shifting from 2nd into neutral, it usually ends up in 1st. Then
when going from 1st into neutral, it ends up in 2nd. It seems that no
matter how gentle I try to shift, it goes right past neutral. Why is
this and what can I do to rectify the problem?
I'm using 10-40 oil and just got the oil replaced, so i don't suppose
it's slipping due to bad oil.

The bike is a 83 Kawi GPz305 with 23,000 km that I'm restoring. Aside
from this problem all gears seems to shift OK, although the clutch is
nearing its end but still has some life left. Since this is a bike for
the wife to learn to ride on, this is sure to prove to be a problem
for her. Even I have a tough time finding neutral when coming to a
stop, so I can just imagine the difficulty and frustration she'll have
while learning to ride the thing. On a side note (and I'm not sure if
this is relevant or just how the bike was designed) it doesn't shift
into 2nd while stopped. It shifts fine when moving but never while the
rear wheel isn't moving.

If this is an easy fix (the neutral issue), can someone please post
detailed instructions on what needs to be done? I have a service
manual that I can refer to, if the work isn't too complicated and is
something I can do on my own.
Thanks

Posted by Mark Olson on April 24, 2008, 6:57 am
Eat Dirt wrote:
> When shifting from 2nd into neutral, it usually ends up in 1st. Then
> when going from 1st into neutral, it ends up in 2nd. It seems that no
> matter how gentle I try to shift, it goes right past neutral. Why is
> this and what can I do to rectify the problem?
> I'm using 10-40 oil and just got the oil replaced, so i don't suppose
> it's slipping due to bad oil.
>
> The bike is a 83 Kawi GPz305 with 23,000 km that I'm restoring. Aside
> from this problem all gears seems to shift OK, although the clutch is
> nearing its end but still has some life left. Since this is a bike for
> the wife to learn to ride on, this is sure to prove to be a problem
> for her. Even I have a tough time finding neutral when coming to a
> stop, so I can just imagine the difficulty and frustration she'll have
> while learning to ride the thing. On a side note (and I'm not sure if
> this is relevant or just how the bike was designed) it doesn't shift
> into 2nd while stopped. It shifts fine when moving but never while the
> rear wheel isn't moving.

This is a feature most Kawasakis have, called "Positive Neutral Finder".

I really don't think there is anything wrong with the bike. Some bikes
are just finicky about getting into neutral.

Why is it important to you to shift into neutral while the bike is
moving, anyway? Shift into 1st as you are coming to a stop, and once
you are stopped, use the PNF feature to get into neutral if you need
to. Normally when you are stopped you should leave the bike in 1st
gear, so you can can take off quickly if you see a car in your mirrors
just about to crush you...

--
'01 SV650SK1 '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7

Posted by cbx dreamers on April 24, 2008, 1:52 pm

> to. Normally when you are stopped you should leave the bike in 1st
> gear, so you can can take off quickly if you see a car in your mirrors
> just about to crush you...
>
A safer stop is to be in first gear, 2 feet down equally [ so you dont waste
any time 'righting' the motorcycle ]
and turn around and look behind you.
Mirrors are not enough.
Turn and look makes eye contact with the driver behind, it establishes you
are real and watching their actions behind you.
Mirrors dont do that.



Posted by Mark Olson on April 24, 2008, 1:59 pm
cbx dreamers wrote:
>
>>to. Normally when you are stopped you should leave the bike in 1st
>>gear, so you can can take off quickly if you see a car in your mirrors
>>just about to crush you...

> A safer stop is to be in first gear, 2 feet down equally [ so you dont waste
> any time 'righting' the motorcycle ]
> and turn around and look behind you.
> Mirrors are not enough.
> Turn and look makes eye contact with the driver behind, it establishes you
> are real and watching their actions behind you.
> Mirrors dont do that.

You are deluded if you think eye contact can be established with a drunk
who is hurtling toward you at 70 mph. Even sober drivers have looked me
in the eye and proceeded to drive straight at me forcing me off the road.
Protecting yourself in the manner I described doesn't depend on whether
the other driver sees you or not, much less whether eye contact is
established.

--
'01 SV650SK1 '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7

Posted by Vaughn on April 24, 2008, 3:55 pm
> cbx dreamers wrote:
>
> >>to. Normally when you are stopped you should leave the bike in 1st
> >>gear, so you can can take off quickly if you see a car in your mirrors
> >>just about to crush you...
> > A safer stop is to be in first gear, 2 feet down equally [ so you dont waste
> > any time 'righting' the motorcycle ]
> > and turn around and look behind you.
> > Mirrors are not enough.
> > Turn and look makes eye contact with the driver behind, it establishes you
> > are real and watching their actions behind you.
> > Mirrors dont do that.
>
> You are deluded if you think eye contact can be established with a drunk
> who is hurtling toward you at 70 mph. Even sober drivers have looked me
> in the eye and proceeded to drive straight at me forcing me off the road.
> Protecting yourself in the manner I described doesn't depend on whether
> the other driver sees you or not, much less whether eye contact is
> established.
>
> --
> '01 SV650SK1 '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
> OMF #7

Yup.

Gotta always be ready to cut and run.

Horns, eye contact, reflective vests, flashing LED brake lights, and
all the rest can help a little, but always be ready to cut and run.
That is a rider's greatest strength for road safety.


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