2003 Transmission

Hi All.

I have a 2003(P) model with 61,000 on the clock. Recently I have noticed that it can be a problem shifting from first into neutral, especially after coming to a complete stop, and it will sometimes need a quick 'blip' of the throttle to make the change. I have tried letting out the clutch and pulling it back in just after engagement, but this does not seem to help.

I do funeral escort work and I have noticed this problem when entering intersections from a stop sign or light. I now try to change into neutral before coming to a complete stop, and find this makes the shifting that much easier. On two separate occasions a gear-change appears to miss the mark and it has (temporarily) locked up in neutral. A quick shift up or down seem to fix that problem.

I was told that the clutch might be the culprit but I had a new one installed at 35,000. Has anybody else had a similar problem, especially the problem shifting 1st / Neutral?


Any feedback would be appreciated.


Regards
Barry

How about trying the simple things first? Try bleeding your clutch fluid.

Also check/lube the shifter linkage.

BTW, all ST1100 transmissions are the same, not year specific.

Bazza99 said:

... I now try to change into neutral before coming to a complete stop...

Click to expand...

Which generally is the proper way on a shaft-driven bike (the whole tranny-line is a bit "stiffer" then on a chain drive...)
But also +1 on the other suggestions:
- throughout overhaul of clutch hydraulics (especially in escort (and/or urban stop&go) the clutch oil (and seals) will heat up more thus age quicker...)
- remove shifter lever + linkage and clean/lube the ball joints and the pivot for the lever

I also find a slight "between gas" easing the down-shifting while approaching a stop, but don't know if such would be appropriate while escorting...

I doubt that something within the gearbox is wrong, cause if the "claw" on the spindle (loc 12) gets stuck, you cannot shift at all...

The clutch fluid was previously bled and replaced by a local dealer so I don't think that is the problem. Have now noticed that the shifter will occasionally lock up between first and neutral, and I need to push shifter up into second and then down again through neutral back into first to free it up. I will now go to the next level and remove the shifter, etc and check for breakage or signs of wear.

Thanks for all of the feedback.

Barry

How fresh is your oil? Dino or synthetic? Mine shifts very smoothly with new oil.

Bazza99 said:

Have now noticed that the shifter will occasionally lock up between first and neutral, and I need to push shifter up into second and then down again through neutral back into first to free it up.

Click to expand...

hmm... this now sounds like a mechanical issue inside the gearbox... named shifter claw might stuck thus not releasing the drum to rotate it into 1st...

I have the same problem that Barry has - it is frequently a real PITA to get my 2001 ST 1100 into neutral. I know it is not a problem with the clutch fluid, my dealer has checked that. Besides, the clutch works just fine for all other purposes, and the bike shifts just fine when riding it. I've never ever had any problem going from first to second or vice-versa. The problem is finding neutral.

I also know that it is not a problem with the mechanical linkage between the foot-shifter thing and the transmission, because I replaced all those parts, and lubricated the mechanism in accordance with the excellent advice found on Mike Martin's website at this link: Shifter Tune-Up. My oil gets changed about every 5,000 miles. The dealer uses top-quality Castrol motorcycle oil.

So, I am convinced that it has to be something inside the transmission that is causing neutral to be difficult to find. By 'difficult to find', I mean I can sit on the bike for minutes applying ever-so-gently increasing pressure from second gear downwards (or first gear upwards) trying to find neutral, but I just keep on going from first to second or vice-versa.

My bike has 100,000 miles on it now, but this problem has been around since about 50 or 60 thousand miles - more or less the same mileage Barry is now at.

Has anyone ever taken a transmission apart to solve such a problem?

Michael

Tried a third mechanic who also confirmed that the clutch was not engaging completely. Went ahead and had the clutch replaced, and this seems to have fixed the problem. The wrench did show me the main nut which appeared to have some of the thread broken. If it was not tightened correctly the last time it may have caused the clutch to wear prematurely. Anyway, all is good for now.

Regards to all.
Barry

Glad you got the problem sorted out and back on the road.