Now that my bike is running smoothly, it's time to obsess over something else.

With the bike in Neutral, Clutch out... there is a considerable amount of noise compared to with the clutch pulled in.

I can pop the bike into any gear, with the clutch pulled in, and there is just regular engine/transmission noise. Pop it back into Neutral, clutch out.. and it makes a bit of a whirring noise. It also sounds like it is putting some load on the engine, but that is just my impression. I can sorta hear the same sound when in high gear/ low rpm.

Only other thing I can say about the transmission is that it's become rather difficult to find 1st, especially when at a stop. If I don't gear down before stopping, sometimes it takes a few stomps to find 1st.

I'm running rotella t6 right now, on a whim. It was on sale.

I've included a pic of the clutch arm on the right hand side of the bike, incase it looks out of wack. I thought they were supposed to be at more of a 90' orientation to the crankcase. Don't tease me about my rainpants melting on my header pipe :/

 

Don't know about the rotella I know nothing about it. Start off with the simple things, clutch adjustment cable adjustment, lever moving free and lubricated, gear lever not bent or damaged, gear shaft not bent. How long since you changed the oil.
Oh and you need a heat guard on the pipe

 

Getting in gear would likely be clutch adjustment, make sure it is right.

I'm thinking the noise is likely some drive line rattle due to clearances on gears and maybe the clutch basket might be a bit loose if it is riveted to the gear - never been in there so I don't know.

 

2 things that could cause hard shifting-Clutch engagement is misadjusted via cable or possible issue with shift star/ratchet.
My de(e)r, departed SV was notorious for clutch rattle-it would pound out the damper springs in the hub and you would get a bit of clatter at idle.

 

Clutch arm looks normal. If its hard to get into neutral especially thats almost always your clutch not disengaging all the way.

My 250 is very finicky when down shifting, sometimes i have to let the clutch out just a tad to get the dogs lined up or it wont downshift, happens maybe every 2-3 rides, but i am used to riding janky bikes so that is nothing new lol

Crank in some more cable tension and see if shifting gets better

 

Thanks for the replies.

I don't have as much trouble finding neutral as I do just trying to kick down through the gears esp from 2nd to 1st. The shift feel is not worrisome, or all that annoying. I can just slip the clutch lever a bit and it shifts better.

As for noise, I can see my rpms drop a bit when releasing the clutch in neutral.

Clutch in, rpms fine.. clutch out, noise and *slight* drop in rpm.

I'll pull the cover eventually, as for shift star I thought the older style was more reliable? Or is it the other way around :P

 

All it takes is a bent alignment pin to cause issues. Also, inspect the profile of the detent star for any irregularities and the follower.

 

My first thought is a worn clutch basket. Happened on my old R6 so I sold it rather than deal with it. It's not a tough fix, just didn't wanna mess with it.

I've also had some trouble getting down into first, but only when I'm in neutral at a stop, or slowing down to a stop. I can pull the clutch lever and step on the shifter, but sometimes it will stay in neutral. Strangely, I can let the clutch out, pull it in again, and it'll go right into gear. If that wouldn't work then I rock the bike forward a smidge and it'll pop into first.