[SuperdaveP51]

:banghead:I have a 2003 VTX 1300s that recently has had difficulty in shifting from 1st to 2nd and back again. If I have to come to a complete stop without downshifting, once I'm stopped it will only shift to neutral and then I have to work it to get into 1st gear to go.

In 2nd and 3rd gear between 30-40 mph on switchback roads getting on and off the throttle has a lot of backlash and a"clunk" in the crankcase.
I know these bikes are common with more than usual backlash but jeez.

3rd to 5th and back shifts smoothly- no issues there

Before I spend a hell of alot of $$$ to get it fixed, What should I look at

 

[wanderingbear]

I've been reading these complaints since I got here and what your discribing is normal.

 

[Charlie D]

you have to shift into first while you are still moving, it is due to the way the gears are cut.

the backlash shouldn't be much but if you have never been on a bike with a driveline it feels like lots.
you could pull the rear tire and see if everything is still good, there are some rubber pads in there and a bearing in the flange that doesn't last forever.

 

[Madness_MC]

SuperdaveP51 -

Judging from the fact the you have just joined this forum and this is your first post - Welcome.

Also realizing that the bike you have purchased is a 2003 model and is therefore 6 years old, it's had time to work out all of the kinks associated with new, tight parts. That said, there are some things that you will become aware of. As Wanderingbear and Charlie D have both stated, what you are experiencing with your 2003 VTX1300 is mostly considered "normal" behavior for a 1300.

I can offer several suggestions - if you haven't already, pick up the VTX1300 Service Manual and become familiar with many of the basic repairs that we as VTX1300 owners do on a regular basis. I don't mean oil, filter and spark plugs. I'm talking about clutch adjustment, throttle adjustment, final drive gear oil changes, cooling system maintenance, etc... That and the other "items" for which the VTX1300 has become infamous - steering neck bearings, front fork springs, rear shocks and/or bushings, START button contacts, rear wheel drive flange bearings, etc...

For your shifting problems, follow Charlie D's good advice. I'd also state that if you check and properly adjust your clutch, starting down at the crankcase adjustment at the lower end of the clutch cable and finishing off at the lever area for final adjustment, a good portion of your shifting problems will "go away".

The "clunky" feeling is typical of the VTX1300 driveline and is normally no cause for concern. I would, however, find out if the rear wheel drive flange bearings have ever been replaced. You didn't state the bike's mileage, but this may be a possibility in causing a "rubbing noise" to come from the rear wheel (hub) area.

 

[burgvtx]

I noticed alot of what you are talking about moving from a cb750 with a chain to the vtx with shaft drive. There is no chain to flex and stretch anymore so when you give it gas in a low gear it gets to the back tire more directly, instead of through a stretching chain. Once you get used to babying the throttle a little more in lower gears, it wont be so bad. be sure to downshift before coming to a complete stop, and if you cant get the bike in gear, slip the clutch a little in whatever gear you are in and then try to shift. works for me every time.

 

[BubbaJePH]

Sometimes I end up 'double clutching' my 2006 1300R to get it into gear. In second, engage clutch, shift to neutral, let the clutch out and squeeze back in and down shift to first. I found out if I downshift to first and let the clutch out too fast at a good speed, the rear end wants to come around the right side. These bikes have a lot of torque. Having the 1300 R/S you may want to lube the shift point on the heel toe shifter along wiht all the other things mentioned above by Madness and others. Welcome to the group!!!

 

[SuperdaveP51]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Very informative, I'm convinced that I'm not going crazy after all.

 

[JCF57]

As said above, welcome. And as you may have already noticed, this is the place to copme to for information and help.

 

[Sauceman]

As far as downshifting I always blip the throttle, that is when you pull in the clutch you give it a shot of gas as you downshift. What this does is it brings your engine rpm's up for the lower gear allowing for a nice smooth downshift. All three actions are almost done at the same time, and with enough practice you can even downshift without the clutch. Most times now I only use the clutch for starts and stops.

If you stop in 2nd gear the bike will only shift into neutral, it will not generally go right into first, this is normal.


cheers

 

[briandabeastlol69]

As far as downshifting I always blip the throttle, that is when you pull in the clutch you give it a shot of gas as you downshift. What this does is it brings your engine rpm's up for the lower gear allowing for a nice smooth downshift. All three actions are almost done at the same time, and with enough practice you can even downshift without the clutch. Most times now I only use the clutch for starts and stops.

If you stop in 2nd gear the bike will only shift into neutral, it will not generally go right into first, this is normal.


cheers

Thank you guys

 

[catnip4badkitty]

Hello Everyone. I have a 2006 VTX 1300. New to me. A year. I was going to go for a ride. First time for the season. Washington State. It started fine. Warmed up. Pull in the clutch. Slowly release and dies. Everything worked great when I parked it. The cable looks great. Not too loose. Why? I have all my gear on. I want to ride. Lol. Thank you

 

[rhigbee38]

engine just dies? like kick stand out and running in gear?
Humidity in WA. very high. Moisture in Clutch fluid or do you have a cable> I have 1800. Foot on rear brake?
Hummm....So it is in gear and running then with right foot on ground You push on shifter with left foot and it dies. That is the kick stand down thing. We have all done this. If that is not it then you got something strange going on. Honestly this motorcycle is very simply designed. There is no connection between clutch action and engine running. That is why we have that red cut off switch. If you go down and are running in gear. As you release clutch the discs and plates rub on each other. You can stall the engine with a jerk or poor skill sets but this should be apparent. I bet yer kick stand was down

 

[rhigbee38]

engine just dies? like kick stand out and running in gear?
Humidity in WA. very high. Moisture in Clutch fluid or do you have a cable> I have 1800. Foot on rear brake?
Hummm....So it is in gear and running then with right foot on ground You push on shifter with left foot and it dies. That is the kick stand down thing. We have all done this. If that is not it then you got something strange going on. Honestly this motorcycle is very simply designed. There is no connection between clutch action and engine running. That is why we have that red cut off switch. If you go down and are running in gear. As you release clutch the discs and plates rub on each other. You can stall the engine with a jerk or poor skill sets but this should be apparent. I bet yer kick stand was down

I mean it is running and clutch is in. Then you push on shifter. Kick stand down engine dies