Shift to first gear

[rwall89]

Alright so here is my first odd issue with my Nomad 1500. Every once in a while I have an issue shifting from neutral to first gear. It just wont seem to go. After a few tries it will go. Other times is drops right in. Anybody else had this issue or know why? Kinda feels like my old dirt bikes used to do me. Never knew why then either, just didnt care.

[VulcanE]

When does this happen? Is it when your starting out for the first time of the day, or like you shift to neutral at a red light, then try to go to 1st when the light changes? Have you tried letting the clutch out a little, then pull it back in then try to shift to 1st?

[rwall89]

I never shift to neutral at red lights, just hold clutch in while in first gear. Its always when Ive had it parked. Not necessarily parked for a long time though.

[eagle]

When was the last time the oil was last changed? An oil change usually makes the shifting easier when the oil has just been changed.

[rwall89]

Im not sure. I just got the bike a week ago. Was gonna change it next weekend when I do my truck

[macmac]

You don't happen to be shutting the engine off in 2nd are you? There is a neutral finder, but it won't let you start the engine in 2nd and fist to first gear. (please don't ask how I know ) In that case you break yer ego first and then ride off in 2nd to then shift to first moving.

This can produce a lot of chatter from the female part on the pillion seat too. ( Don't ask how I know that either )

[rwall89]

I am very picky about shutting it off in neutral unless I absolutely have to have it in gear to keep it from rolling. Then I leave it in first. The oil looks a little low so I'm gonna add some before my ride through LBL today and see if that helps any

[dan313]

I've found that when that happens I just roll the bike about 2-3 inches and then put into first gear. I don't know why this happens.
Also when you come to a stop the bike will sometimes go into neutral by itself because of the neutral finder. A pain in the Butt. You think your in gear and let go of the clutch and all you get it vroom and your like WTF just happened.

Good Luck

[macmac]

I park on 1st, but a few times rolling into a highway rest stop, I end up in 2nd and park that way by mistake. The first time this happened to me i thought the tranny was busted. I couldn't get into first no matter what i did with the engine off.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by rwall89

The oil looks a little low so I'm gonna add some before my ride through LBL today and see if that helps any

Are you checking it with the bike upright? It'll read low if it's on the sidestand. Sorry if it's a stupid question, but you did say you just got the bike.

[rwall89]

I stood it up to check. It took almost a quart so it was low. Only did it to me once today.

[hayes]

Every once in awhile, my old 900 would do the same. If it won't shift, let the clutch out and pull the clutch in again, shift into first. Worked every time on the 9. It was like the trans was out of alignment and that slight drag of releasing the clutch was enough to allow it to be back in line.

[rwall89]

Thanks for all the advice guys. While were somewhat on the oil subject, is it ok to put lucas in motorcycle oil?

[eagle]

Are you are referring to the Lucas oil product to reduce oil consumption? If that is the case no, because it will mess up the clutch.

[rwall89]

I was. And thank you