Clunky gear shift

Hi everyone,

Have just bought a CB 500 s 2002 with 28,000 on clock and full service history. There is a loud clunk noise when I put her into first and when I change up from first to second. Is this kind of noise normal?

The gear changes on the CB 500 seem quite noisy compared to my previous bike Yamaha YBR 125.

Mine does the same; worst is when coming to a stop at, say, traffic lights and pushing down in to first while still rolling slowly the gearbox gives an almighty *clack!*, so laud sometimes I'm convinced something has broken. I think the gearbox may be just a tad crude tho.

S

Mine is clunky too - if, like mine, if it doesn't happen in other gears I wouldn't worry... it's not given me any trouble and I've had mine for a few years now.

went out with a mate today to a classic bike show at cleobury mortimer. he was leading as he knows the way and he could hear some of my first to second changes over the sound of his suzuki bandit,lol

My 500 also clunks from first to second. I think it is just the gearboxes on these rather than a problem. Probably just the design as you have to pass neutral between 1st and 2nd.

Mines not clunky in any gear. Are all your chains on the way out?

P.S. does anyone want to buy a TV?

From all your replies, I think that these gearboxes are based on old school design like Honda is anyway!

It's just the nature of the beast. I am pleased with it otherwise.



Kung fu,

With all due respect, I fail to see what the drive chain has to do with the gear box

rubber_duck wrote:Kung fu,

With all due respect, I fail to see what the drive chain has to do with the gear box

If the chain is loose it can rattle when you put it into first or up to second; it makes the clunking sound a lot worse!



And to add to the other's replies; mine has always done this since new so nothing to worry about

rubber_duck wrote:With all due respect, I fail to see what the drive chain has to do with the gear box

You should have gone to specsavers.

The drive chain has a lot to do with the gearbox. When you pull the clutch in to change gear the input and output shafts are no longer rotated by the engine but are now driven by the back wheel and the drive chain. If the chain is too slack it could slap about causing the speed of the output shaft to fluctuate and that might upset the gearchange. If the chain is too tight it could be putting pressure on the output shaft that prevents the selectors from sliding freely.

As a chain wears the difference between the tightest and losest spots grows to the point where it may become impossible to adjust adequately to give smooth gear changes.

HTH

Hi everyone, mine is doing the same. It looks like it is the way it works, rather rough. There is one tip, which really helps: when changing "up" make a small pressure on the gear lever (push it a bit up), just a little ahead of using the clutch. Try it and you will see how effortless the change actually is. As for going from 1st to 2nd, I have found it is much dependent on how "coordinated" is the throttle thrown down while changing, you really have to work with your right hand. When I don't, it says to me with a clunk. Cheers.

Thank you for your replies people.

Kung fu, I stand corrected and have learnt something new in the face of your superior knowledge.......

Its not uncommon, my 2010 CBF1000 clunks into gear, it seems to be a jap bike thing, none of my european bikes do. nothing to worry about. the YBR's gear box is tiny so there probably was a slight clunk but not nearly as noticable

Could be the particular honda's feature, my friend's vtr1000 makes even louder and significant sound.

Mine clunks most of the time, but occasionally I seem to get it just right aand I can barely feel the change. What I do keep finding though is that I'm often in neutral and not 2nd, a bit embarrassing when a car load of boy racers have just given me their best smirk at the lights, I think well I'll be away from here faster than you think, only to still be there sorting out my gears 30 seconds later...................

Yes, yes, exactly it happens once in a while. Needs some attention, clunks, but works. Cheers.