Im New and have just purchased a firestorm,
11-13-2009, 01:09 AM
#1
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Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 42
Im New and have just purchased a firestorm,
Hi all, im fairly new to biking and recently noticed the gears on bike have a little clunk, i.e not like geared cars, my first bike was a suzuki bandit 600 this had the same, but when i got the firestorm, i couldn't help noticing the gear shifting has a slight clunk,
Is this normal? i know that 1st to 2nd is renowned for it but even that sometimes goes in smoothly, but other times it doesnt, simalair with the othe gears.
thanks
Is this normal? i know that 1st to 2nd is renowned for it but even that sometimes goes in smoothly, but other times it doesnt, simalair with the othe gears.
thanks
11-13-2009, 01:45 AM
#2
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MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Kempner, TX
Posts: 4,402
Good oil.. do a search, find all 10,000 recommendations and then choose one, try it, chose another, make up your own mind on what a good oil is.. cuz no matter who you ask your going to get a ton of replies,
And Yes, the SH is clunky shifting.
At the no cast level is reminding you to shift with authority,, not harshly, but you cannot glide it in to gear…make a decision to shift and do so.
Next up would be the oil recommendation above.
After that two other things I found that add up to some very nice shifting.
Custom shifter and linkage from Jamie here on this list, look in the classifieds and you’ll see his post on the billet shifter he has available.
And you can improve upon it even more with the Factory Pro complete shift kit.
All told.. Quality synthetic 100% ester based oil, Jamie’s shifter and the Kit from Factory Pro makes for a slick shifting Super Hawk
And Yes, the SH is clunky shifting.
At the no cast level is reminding you to shift with authority,, not harshly, but you cannot glide it in to gear…make a decision to shift and do so.
Next up would be the oil recommendation above.
After that two other things I found that add up to some very nice shifting.
Custom shifter and linkage from Jamie here on this list, look in the classifieds and you’ll see his post on the billet shifter he has available.
And you can improve upon it even more with the Factory Pro complete shift kit.
All told.. Quality synthetic 100% ester based oil, Jamie’s shifter and the Kit from Factory Pro makes for a slick shifting Super Hawk
11-13-2009, 07:35 AM
#3
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 293
yeah +1 to txsuperchicken's suggestions. quality full synthetic will make a night and day difference with shifting (just remember to compare warm before complaining :P) haha j/k hell even fresh conventional oil will make shifting feel better albeit only for a limited time.
11-13-2009, 02:32 PM
#5
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SuperSport
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North Wales, PA
Posts: 809
no, the superhawk has a tendancy of shifting hard from first into second. having good oil can make the problem a little better, but its not a total fix. that's just the way the bike is. it wants to be shifted with authority. right around 4.5-5k rpm. that's what works for me. you'll get used to it. nothing to worry about. if you are worried about the initial clunk when you put it in first from neutral, that's also nothing to worry about. the hawk has a heavy duty clutch, and alot of momentum spinning before you put it into gear. its normal. inline 4 bikes like your bandit don't make as much torque so don't need such a heavy duty clutch. put some mobil 1 15W-50 and you'll be fine.
11-13-2009, 05:04 PM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 201
Hey, consider yourself lucky! I've just bought a Firestorm this week and rode it for the first time today. Lovely bike, and the gears feel just like they should.
I also have a Buell, and putting that thing in gear is like you don't even have the clutch pulled in...it grinds and coughs into gear like an old cultivator! And neutral? LOL! Good luck with that on a Buell!
The Storms feels great...enjoy...
I also have a Buell, and putting that thing in gear is like you don't even have the clutch pulled in...it grinds and coughs into gear like an old cultivator! And neutral? LOL! Good luck with that on a Buell!
The Storms feels great...enjoy...
11-13-2009, 05:33 PM
#9
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In case you didn't know, the engine oil is the transmission oil. It's all part of the same lubrication system. And in case you didn't know, like I didn't, not all car oils can be used in motorcycles. Some of them have some slippery additive in them, and they will make your clutch slip and wear out prematurely.
11-14-2009, 09:56 PM
#10
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Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 42
Nice one guys, just spoke to guy down the road who has an XL 1000 varadero, same engine, he says its normal too, maybe the revs need not be completely taken off fully when pulling in the clutch. well thats what he said!! lol
Bizarre thing is, i live in the uk so its probably not going to be used anyhow until spring, typical british crappy rainy days, sorry ranting on (dry weather biker myself)
Bizarre thing is, i live in the uk so its probably not going to be used anyhow until spring, typical british crappy rainy days, sorry ranting on (dry weather biker myself)
11-15-2009, 06:32 AM
#11
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MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
My VTR shifts wonderfully and I am using much of what TX says. Here is my set-up:
- Jamie D shifter (machined to accept a needle bearing, works very very well!!!!)
- replaced stock linkage ends with Heim joints (no slack at all)
- move shifter arm so that it gets as close to 90 degrees to linkage as posible (can go two splines; it's all about geometry)
- recently installed a FP detent arm
While it still clunks a bit on the 1st -2nd shift, the throes are short, postitive and remarkably light, there is zero play (either vertically or laterally) in the mechanism and it now shifts as well as anything I have ever ridden.
- Jamie D shifter (machined to accept a needle bearing, works very very well!!!!)
- replaced stock linkage ends with Heim joints (no slack at all)
- move shifter arm so that it gets as close to 90 degrees to linkage as posible (can go two splines; it's all about geometry)
- recently installed a FP detent arm
While it still clunks a bit on the 1st -2nd shift, the throes are short, postitive and remarkably light, there is zero play (either vertically or laterally) in the mechanism and it now shifts as well as anything I have ever ridden.
11-15-2009, 04:03 PM
#12
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Mikstr, I like the sound of your mods to the gear shift. Can you guide me to the suppliers? My 'new' 2000 VTR has a bent shift lever, and rather than replace with a stock item, I might as well upgrade over the winter. P.S. I like the mods to your bike in general...sounds like a real nice bike.
Nick,
I lived in West Yorkshire before we moved to Canada...so I know what you mean about the wet British winters! LOL
John
Nick,
I lived in West Yorkshire before we moved to Canada...so I know what you mean about the wet British winters! LOL
John
11-15-2009, 07:42 PM
#14
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MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
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Thanks for the kind words John and yes my bike runs real well. TO be honest, short of getting the set of OS high-comp JE pistons I have sitting around installed, it is pretty well modded out (nothing really left to fix or improve without reaching deep into the wallet). If I can be of any help or provide advice in any way with your VTR let me know.
cheers
Micky
cheers
Micky
11-16-2009, 08:23 PM
#16
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Squid
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 35
Bike transmissions differ from cars - they need to be shifted deliberately. The hawk definitely has a loud sound to the shift as well, esp. in the lower gears. I run full synthetic oil, I don't believe it changes the behavior or experience.
11-16-2009, 10:24 PM
#18
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Squid
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 42
Nice One all<
Took the bike out for serious ride re evaluation on sunday, the sun was out yipeee!
I tried to shift with keeping a little gas on and it has done the trick, maybe it was me being over zellous when changing.
Need to do some tinkering now bit of subframe rusty paint needs sorting as with the mirrors as the paint has come off, other than that might change oil and filter asn give the girl a good clean ready for xmas.
Took the bike out for serious ride re evaluation on sunday, the sun was out yipeee!
I tried to shift with keeping a little gas on and it has done the trick, maybe it was me being over zellous when changing.
Need to do some tinkering now bit of subframe rusty paint needs sorting as with the mirrors as the paint has come off, other than that might change oil and filter asn give the girl a good clean ready for xmas.
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