Hi
I'm having trouble getting the gears. I do have a bit of a knackered ankle from a bike accident but its never been an issue before. It feels like the gearbox is balking but it's intermittent.
The local dealer has adjusted the primary chain and the cable free play but I still feel it's not right.
It does appear that the reach from foot rest to gear pedal is longer than on other bikes I've had and I have to shift my foot forward to get the up changes. I've adjusted the lever position and this has marginally improved matters.
I'll take it back to the dealers but I'd be grateful for any suggestions?
Thanks

I do find the shift from 1st to 2nd quite long. 2nd upto 5th and 5th down to 2nd is ok. The gearbox is ok but the clutch is not the best. Feels "a bit sticky" sometimes for the want of a better way of putting it but this might be down to the gearbox oil temp at the time.

I sometimes do not use the clutch from 2nd upto 5th, I know people say you should not with a Buell, but it is much better and I have had no problems. You do have to time it right though but that is just practice.

It sounds like you might have small feet. Touratech sell an adjustable length gear lever which might help. I have one on my bike and it does let you set the lever throw to the way you want it. They are not cheap and you will find, or I did anyway, that you need to file off the side and hole paint for the Nylon bushes to fit right so that the lever does not bind.

Also make sure you use a cable tie at the top of the clutch cable boot to stop water getting into the clucth cable and/or gearbox. It is a top mod on a XB Buell and a must. You should find the gearbox, like the engine, gets better once it beds in.

I found I needed to adjust my ride style slightly, for the Uly, to get the best from it due to the type of bike it is. High torque at low revs needs a slighty differing way of doing things. You most always need to "slip the clutch" at very low revs to get smooth engine control. It is just the nature of the bike type and not a fault.

Many thanks for that. I've taken your advice and ordered the adjustable lever and I guess I'll adjust to the Uly eventually.
I like the fact that it is so different. I've had Guzzis' and BMWs so it's not too much of an adjustment!
Thanks again.

I suppose that since your dealer has made adjustments, she has also put the proper oil in the proper amount at the proper mileage in the primary....

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2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus

I would hope so............Once I've fitted the new lever I'll see how it goes.

Otherwise the bike is great. Just love the engine and the fact that at standstill sitting on the stand it makes the ground vibrate..........

be aware that most buells left running on the sidestand will either fall over or 'walk' enjoy you new bike


...........whichway?

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........have you tried turning me off & then turning me on again ?

right
I have no advice but another question, ru listening Maz?

My 07 Uly has only done about 2000 miles since its visit to the Emporium, I am still depressed but my bike is mostly ok!!!
Problem over the last 2 weekends in finding gears, checked cluthc cable play [about 2-3mm] checked g/box oil [although it was a little on an accentuated fall because of the drive it was up to the overflow -should this be done on the stand, or upright??]
Found out by trying that after every gear shift i have to 'release' the lever by a slight tap in the opposite way to where it just went. I know it could be a simple as releasing/lubricating the screw the lever hinges arround, but before I do, is this right?
I know it probably means a write off,Mazz, but its still my only bike!!!!!

Tranny oil is checked with bike vertical and the clutch is adjusted inside the primary inspection cover - not on the cable.
How many miles has your bike done since the primary chain tensioner wears comparatively quickly until the chain cuts into it and then it can ride on the rollers instead of the side plates? Adjustment intervals are much longer then.

Does the lever spring back after a very light tap?

_________________
If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

Probably the clutch basket bearing breaking up.......tis a regular fault on XB's.

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

I'llcheck the oil again. vertical - to put my mind at rest, thanks
The bike is on about 8000 miles and is going sweet, apart from this.
I dont know if the lever springs back, but i cant change gear if i dont tap it. Feels stiff when i try to move it with my hand, but it probably would anyway???

Is the bearing an easy job if that is what it needs

Thanks guys, much appreciated

Just picked up the thread, Be VERY careful with this. I lost the clutch and it cost me very dear. Took Maz a week and nearly a grand just for the clutch replacement - but I did need plates, bearing in fact the whole lot. Might be worth running it into Maz or your local dealer for investigation and repair now before you also experience the "big bang"!
Intersting point from the dutchman, securing the clutch cable gator with a cable tie to stop water ingress, Will try this as I am def looking after my clutch!
Best of luck

.....Bickers, if you check your cable gaitor you will see that it's already double cable tied

You actually brought the bike to me for belt replacement.......turned out that the basket bearing had seized resulting in the belt breaking.

The 'grand' you spent included not only a new belt but also the clutch bearings, friction plates, steel plates, diaphram spring, labour etc. etc. etc........think/know you'll find that the labour was the smallest fraction of the invoice

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

How much time did you spend, Maz, sittin' there wishing the thing had a trap door?

_________________
2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus

None at all mate, didn't need the trap door on this occaision.......just wished that Erik hadn't down graded the massive ballrace basket bearing on earlier models to a poxy little needle race on the XB's

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Ah. Not the best idea is it Maz. Sorry, I see your point now.