Newbie Shifting Question ('95 Honda CD50 Benly)

[TylerWitham]

I'm an American living in Japan but hoping I can get help before bringing my bike back to ask the shop.

I just bought a '95 Honda CD50 Benly. Never rode a motorcycle or used a clutch before.

All is good except I cannot for the life of me shift into 2nd gear. I hold the clutch down, let off the gas, then try to shift up, but it only goes up into neutral no matter how hard I push. I can get into 2nd if I shift twice quickly, but that's obviously not smooth or very safe. I must be missing something.

I have a side but maybe related question too. What's the metal back piece of the shifter for? You can see it in the picture of my bike. It shifts the bike into neutral when pressed down with my heel. Thanks!

https://i.imgur.com/cMOnyit.jpg

[stinkwheel]

I presume you're trying to do this 1st to 2nd shift while the bike is moving forwards? They often have a "neutral finder" mechanism so if the bike isn't moving when you try to go 1st to 2nd, it'll just go into neutral.

It's a "heel-toe" gearshift. They sell a lot of this type of bike in Asian countries where people ride them in sandals. As such, they use their heel to change up a gear instead of lifting the lever with their toe.

Check the gear lever isn't fouling any other bits of bodywork that could be preventing it going through its full range of movement (such as the heel shifter hitting the sidestand bracket).

You may find it shifts more smoothly if you "rev match" where you close the throttle, pull in the cutch then "blip" the throttle slightly as you put pressure on the gear lever.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[TylerWitham]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Ste is our resident expert on niche subjects.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[jeffyjeff]

TylerWitham, that CD50 Benly is a nice looking little bike. Congratulations on your purchase. Hope it works out well for you.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[TylerWitham]

Mystery solved. Asked my neighbor after I was still having trouble and I saw him in his driveway. Turns out you keep shifting down. Once for first gear, twice for second gear, etc. Shift up to shift down. So simple but I never would've guessed. I wonder if this is an older bike thing or an Asian bike thing, or what.

I'm not smooth with the clutch yet but getting better. Now it's working as intended, just need to spend time on it. The guy knew right away.

[stinkwheel]

They have used a variety of shift patterns on those little C50-derived motors.

Worth being aware that some of them also have a "circular" gear shift which allows you to continue changing "up" from top gear directly back into first for if you stop at lights or similar.

They are hugely robust little engines and so it doesn't generally damage them if you accidentally go from 3rd to first at full revs but you do land up bent over the handlebars looking like an idiot.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[steve the grease]