No neutral

[shunter]

I had the lc out again yesterday and tried to get neutral with the engine running,it's absolutely impossible even rolling the bike,or doing it gently by hand. It looks like a new clutch cable but it is pretty heavy to use. I spoke to the previous owner and he has put 10w40 motorcycle oil in and said it is not that,he was aware of the fault. The gearbox does seem a bit notchy around the 1st and 2nd gears. It goes in first time every time when the engine is not running. Do these bikes have a heavy clutch. Thanks 

[Delbert]

It's probably got heavy duty springs in it ,, some of us use only three heavy & three std ,,,some buy genuine yam springs ,, there's a fair bit of info on here about neutral problems , mines a bitch at times but not impossible !! The oil can have an effect as can incorrect clutch adjustment

[midlifecrisisrd]

Difficulty in getting neutral is normally clutch drag.

Either wrongly adjusted, crap oil, notched basket or warped plates

Steve

[russie]

If it's any consolation, mine does that, and so did my old LC. In my case it's not the adjustment as I've checked that. I was contemplating putting ATF in my gearbox, I remember some bikes had that specified back in the day (Honda liked putting it in forks too!) Has anyone done it?

[wallcraft]

Ran my 4lo with ATF with no problems, makes it nice and light and no slip.

[shunter]

The ATF must be worth a go,I did use it in my honda xr 250 forks and it worked well. I will order up the standard clutch springs as the clutch seems very heavy. Thanks for all your input.

[russie]

Some Volkswagen DSG gearboxes use wet clutches but the oil still has to lubricate the gears, forks and bearings and withstand the sheering forces between the gears. I've got a stock of it and it seems piss thin so might try that?

[Deleted]

DSG Gear box oil is 70W, too heavy for a bike I would say as it is temperature dependent too

[flatspot]

I had this once which was a pita. Changed everything, plates, springs, push rod, ball bearings, cables etc. The steel plates measured spot on according to haynes. Anyway after taking that frikin side cover off a million times I finally changed the steel plates and that nailed it. Snicked in and out of neutral sweet as a nut. I recommend trying it even though they may look fine.

[shunter]

Thanks I think I will go down complete clutch and springs route and thanks everyone for your help with this.

[ianr4863]

I stripped mine a couple of weeks ago to try to solve a similar problem . I bought a new Gear Selector Shaft from Norbo as a precaution but when I was swapping over the spring and collar I noticed how much the pin had worn the spring which allows the selector to slop about when you try to select gear . I have a few about so I fitted the best one with no wear . After that a Shift Pro from Martin at MBD . Refitted everything and filled it with Rock Oil mineral 10 - 40 and it works like a dream . It might be worth a look at yours when you strip it .

[shunter]

The plot thickens,thanks for that I will check that.

[jools]

I use Motul Transoil no issues with that

[elliottles]

hi,

the thick plottens more, mine does exactly the same. the clutch does drag (roll down hill in gear with the clutch pulled, the revs go up) and the ONLY thing I have not changed for new are the steel plates, so maybe next time I will renew them AND check the basket tangs for notching.

you have to think that if it goes into neutral when the engine is switched off, it must be the dragging clutch.

I would love to know your final cure please!

cheers

les

[shunter]

I will be happy to report my progress,but knowing my luck it will be the last thing I try.

[elliottles]

its ALWAYS the last thing you try!!!

good luck

[paulperth]

+1 for the Gear Selector Shaft

[ukcalling]

Had this problem and it was clutch adjustment

Need to put the adjuster in further than you think to remove the drag

I would try that first

Nick

[shunter]

I will try that first just in case. Thanks