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TylerWitham |
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TylerWitham L Plate Warrior
Joined: 28 Jun 2021 Karma :
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Posted: 12:56 - 28 Jun 2021 Post subject: Newbie Shifting Question ('95 Honda CD50 Benly) |
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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 |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 13:29 - 28 Jun 2021 Post subject: |
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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. ____________________ “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. |
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TylerWitham |
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TylerWitham L Plate Warrior
Joined: 28 Jun 2021 Karma :
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Posted: 13:49 - 28 Jun 2021 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | I presume you're trying to do this 1st to 2nd shift while the bike is moving forwards? |
Yeah. I'm having the same issue riding the bike and when it's stationary. I want to try a few more times when riding it though, didn't know about the "neutral finder" so that might be doing it. Not sure if the bike has that function.
stinkwheel wrote: | 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. |
Gotcha. I'll test it out tomorrow to make absolutely sure.
stinkwheel wrote: | 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. |
That's interesting. I'm assuming it only shifts up so that you can operate the bike without ever having to press your toes up? I.e. Press toes down for first from neutral, then heel press down for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
stinkwheel wrote: | 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). |
Someone elese said the same so I'll do that tomorrow.
stinkwheel wrote: | 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. |
"Blip" as in a quick release?
Thanks a lot for the help btw. I would've never found out about the heel shifter. Still learning Japanese so it's difficult to ask about complicated or niche topics. |
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Nobby the Bastard |
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Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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jeffyjeff |
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jeffyjeff World Chat Champion
Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :
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TylerWitham |
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TylerWitham L Plate Warrior
Joined: 28 Jun 2021 Karma :
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 12:24 - 29 Jun 2021 Post subject: |
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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. |
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steve the grease |
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steve the grease Crazy Courier
Joined: 26 Jan 2018 Karma :
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 2 years, 293 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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