Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: aralph on September 17, 2015, 20:08:20 PM

Title: bent shifter fork
Post by: aralph on September 17, 2015, 20:08:20 PM
Having problems in 2nd gear only.
Under medium to hard throttle, transmission pops out of 2nd gear into neutral.
It's very consistent. Only under light acceleration will it not pop out.
My mechanic has suggested a bent shifter fork.
Troll, I read in a previous thread you had to change one. How much work does this involve?
Also any other possible reasons for this issue?

thanks
aralph
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: Troll on September 18, 2015, 09:18:25 AM
The sooner you get it fixed, the better. When I bought my 1500, that was one of the things that was wrong with it. The PO tried to ride it for a while after bending the fork and did extensive damage. To rebuild the trans, requires engine removal and complete disassembly of the engine. Nice time to inspect the internals...The dealer I had do the job charged me 15 hours labor, and gave me 25% off on the parts..This is a HUGE job! On the bright side, the engine was fine inside, and because I ride like a (more or less) adult, it's been 62,000 miles since it was done with no issues at all
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: aralph on September 18, 2015, 15:34:35 PM
Quote from: Troll on September 18, 2015, 09:18:25 AM
..This is a HUGE job!..

I had a feeling it would be. Thanks for responding.

aralph

Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: Gooseberrie on September 21, 2015, 09:16:30 AM
Sorry to hear. Rounded off dogs and windows may be the cause and this puts the shift fork under great tension. Something else may be the cause but these are mostly extensive repairs.

The gears mostly pop out on certain revelations of the engine. Like you mentioned, on throttle. Adapt to a different style of riding or skip second gear when riding fast before fork is bent.

I report a complete healing of hard shifting and strange occurrences on slopes with thicker oil. Oil is always being mentioned to provide a possible cure. Also check the oil level. The oil I started off with was the cheapest but fresh and like specified, It worked great on my former bike and other users of the product had no complaints. Because of the price there were extensive reviews, I am certain there was nothing wrong with it. What I turned to was Motul Motorbike Oil, Motul 5100 4t 15W50 4 liter cans.

I wonder if clutching the gears would help. After pulling the clutch and a short throttle one shifts into gear the moment the revs go noticeably down. That would be easier when the engine goes round rough then on smooth running engines.

Check the clutch because some problems with sudden change to higher revs at slow speed are to be expected when the clutch wears out and when there is little free play. High speed together with torque is not always where one encounters clutch problems. Also when cleaning the master cylinder and it was dirty, like brownish and crystallized fluid, the small return hole, somewhere in the system on the bottom, must absolutely be checked and cleaned. Air in the lines can be removed with tying the lever to the handlebar overnight (rope can damage or put dark marks on grips). I had the brake done and with all the experience and tools in the shop they could not prevent air from entering. Use no friction enhancers in the engine oil.
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: aralph on February 11, 2016, 21:35:27 PM
Well complete tear down is under way.
Wow there is a lot of pieces in there
Bent shift fork and a couple of bad gears.
New piston rings and cam chains also.
Plus 2 new whitewall tires.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

aralph

Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2016, 21:54:07 PM
  Tony why did you wait till winter was almost over to get on this project. You never told me we had a lift table at home.....19th and 20th going to be at the bike show in Toronto, 2 hour drive fro you along the 400.......just saying.........
best of luck with the repair job.
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: aralph on February 12, 2016, 17:49:00 PM
As much as I would have like to tackle this job myself, I don't have a garage to do it in.
Took the bike up the highway to the good people at Hudson's in Tilbury.
Brought the bike up in Nov. and they finally were able to start on it this week.
All parts are available and being ordered Monday. So it should be back together
long before riding season starts.

As for the bike show, that weekend already booked up.
Enjoy the show, I'm sure you will post some pics for us.

aralph
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: greenbarn on February 15, 2016, 19:49:48 PM
That's a lot of parts.....     Hope they don't have any left over!  :o
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: Troll on February 16, 2016, 08:33:08 AM
You should have them put in a new clutch spring while they're in there..it's like $18...easy enough to do while it's all apart
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: greenbarn on February 16, 2016, 22:16:35 PM
Quote from: Troll on February 16, 2016, 08:33:08 AM
You should have them put in a new clutch spring while they're in there..it's like $18...easy enough to do while it's all apart

That's a really good point -- it's a known problem with the 1500-- mine was slipping at 18,000 - some last a lot longer, but while it's torn down, I'd surely do it.
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: aralph on February 17, 2016, 19:01:44 PM
Quote from: Troll on February 16, 2016, 08:33:08 AM
You should have them put in a new clutch spring while they're in there..it's like $18...easy enough to do while it's all apart

Thanks, didn't think of that. Thought I read somewhere about using
springs from a Meanstreak cause they are heavier. Yes or no?

aralph
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: greenbarn on February 17, 2016, 21:31:46 PM
There is a whole mod page on the clutch upgrade:
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/clutchparts.html
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: chief on February 17, 2016, 22:46:14 PM
Quote from: aralph on February 17, 2016, 19:01:44 PM
Thanks, didn't think of that. Thought I read somewhere about using
springs from a Meanstreak cause they are heavier. Yes or no?

aralph


Nah... just go with the last spring the made for this and the two holders. All 1500 and 1600's eventually went to this setup and it corrects the original problem with the weak drifter spring.
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: aralph on February 18, 2016, 18:01:45 PM
Again thanks...

aralph
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: CDNRatMan on February 18, 2016, 18:34:23 PM
   >:( Just have it ready for July for the Reunion.......
Title: Re: bent shifter fork
Post by: richaud on February 19, 2016, 06:33:27 AM
How the frick are they getting the new whitewalls in there ?? ;)