Down Shifting

Dave · 08-15-2010, 12:51 PM

Ever since I started riding bikes, whenever I wanted to down shift I always had to let the clutch out a bit in between shifts. Yesterday while riding my Ultra I came to a stop while in 4th and while stopped I was able to down shift to 1st by just tapping the shift 3 times without letting out the clutch between shifts. I tried it at the next stop light and I was able to repeat this.

My question is, is this feature something new or has it been around for some time? I had always thought with sequential transmissions one has to let the clutch out between shifts.

macmac · 08-15-2010, 01:22 PM

First I have heard of that. And that won't work on a Nomad fer beans if you stopped in 2nd. Unfortunatly you need to move ahead in 2nd to fish out 1st. But we are not talking a Nomad either.

In the past when you did, or had to, the shifter forks were not finding the syncros to match up with, and evidently you made it a habit.

I have needed to do that on older bikes with worn forks and syncros to fish neutral when the engine was running. In doing that you slow the tranny which is moving still, and slow it down by levering the clutch, so the syncros can find a place to engage.

If you were ever trying to find neutral from 1st or 2nd and the shifter just kept going into 1st or 2nd over and over you will know what I mean. But it comes from wear and tear on things that have been used and isn't a normal thing to have to do.

Sin City Stan · 08-15-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Ever since I started riding bikes, whenever I wanted to down shift I always had to let the clutch out a bit in between shifts. Yesterday while riding my Ultra I came to a stop while in 4th and while stopped I was able to down shift to 1st by just tapping the shift 3 times without letting out the clutch between shifts. I tried it at the next stop light and I was able to repeat this.

My question is, is this feature something new or has it been around for some time? I had always thought with sequential transmissions one has to let the clutch out between shifts.

My 09 Nomad can do that.

**glwilson** · 08-15-2010, 05:01 PM

Standard operation on my bike Dave...

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-15-2010, 11:54 PM

Most of the time I try to be downshifted before I come to a complete stop. Just something I always try to do. If I come to a complete stop in third or second it doesn't want to downshift every time. I then have to let out on the clutch and it will downshift. One of the reasons I like to downshift before coming to a complete stop.

blowndodge · 08-16-2010, 03:55 PM

It means the syncro's on that Ultra are wearing out and the transmission is about to grenade itself.. But since it's is a Harley thats to be expected

It's really not a "new feature" either. Harley transmissions have blown up on a regular basis for quite some time now!

Stump · 08-16-2010, 07:47 PM

My 01 nomad shifts just fine , never a problem when you down shift before you come to a complete stop . :-/

macmac · 08-17-2010, 03:31 PM

Stump, If you stop in 2nd you will. So long as you shift to 1st stopping you won't have a problem at all. Sometimes i mess up and think I went to 1st and didn't. Then it seems to get 1st again I have no choice but to go off in 2nd get moving at a walk then I can catch up 1st.

The first time I did that I was somewhere on Rt 40 in Ohio, and headed west. My take was the shifter fork was pooched. At the time I wasn't aware of the neutral finder.

**glwilson** · 08-17-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

It means the syncro's on that Ultra are wearing out and the transmission is about to grenade itself.. But since it's is a Harley thats to be expected

It's really not a "new feature" either. Harley transmissions have blown up on a regular basis for quite some time now!

Jealous!

08-15-2010, 12:51 PM	#1
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	Down Shifting Ever since I started riding bikes, whenever I wanted to down shift I always had to let the clutch out a bit in between shifts. Yesterday while riding my Ultra I came to a stop while in 4th and while stopped I was able to down shift to 1st by just tapping the shift 3 times without letting out the clutch between shifts. I tried it at the next stop light and I was able to repeat this. My question is, is this feature something new or has it been around for some time? I had always thought with sequential transmissions one has to let the clutch out between shifts. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-15-2010, 01:22 PM	#2
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Down Shifting First I have heard of that. And that won't work on a Nomad fer beans if you stopped in 2nd. Unfortunatly you need to move ahead in 2nd to fish out 1st. But we are not talking a Nomad either. In the past when you did, or had to, the shifter forks were not finding the syncros to match up with, and evidently you made it a habit. I have needed to do that on older bikes with worn forks and syncros to fish neutral when the engine was running. In doing that you slow the tranny which is moving still, and slow it down by levering the clutch, so the syncros can find a place to engage. If you were ever trying to find neutral from 1st or 2nd and the shifter just kept going into 1st or 2nd over and over you will know what I mean. But it comes from wear and tear on things that have been used and isn't a normal thing to have to do. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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08-15-2010, 05:01 PM	#4
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Down Shifting Standard operation on my bike Dave... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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08-15-2010, 11:54 PM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Down Shifting Most of the time I try to be downshifted before I come to a complete stop. Just something I always try to do. If I come to a complete stop in third or second it doesn't want to downshift every time. I then have to let out on the clutch and it will downshift. One of the reasons I like to downshift before coming to a complete stop. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-16-2010, 03:55 PM	#6
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Down Shifting It means the syncro's on that Ultra are wearing out and the transmission is about to grenade itself.. But since it's is a Harley thats to be expected It's really not a "new feature" either. Harley transmissions have blown up on a regular basis for quite some time now! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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08-16-2010, 07:47 PM	#7
Stump Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scottown ohio Posts: 1,225	Down Shifting My 01 nomad shifts just fine , never a problem when you down shift before you come to a complete stop . :-/ __________________ Everyday is a holiday when you love your job, And if you don't you live in a nightmare.
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08-17-2010, 03:31 PM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Down Shifting Stump, If you stop in 2nd you will. So long as you shift to 1st stopping you won't have a problem at all. Sometimes i mess up and think I went to 1st and didn't. Then it seems to get 1st again I have no choice but to go off in 2nd get moving at a walk then I can catch up 1st. The first time I did that I was somewhere on Rt 40 in Ohio, and headed west. My take was the shifter fork was pooched. At the time I wasn't aware of the neutral finder. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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