Bike doesn't want to go into neutral when running...?

[papercutout]

It's a bit strange really isn't it? I can pop her into neutral easy as pie once the engine is turned off, but with it running I cannot get her into neutral from 1st, I tend to stick her in 2nd and give her a tiny kick down.


I've got my clutch biting point pretty close to the bars, could this be the cause? Any other idea's?

[His Dudeness]

How's your chain? A slack chain can cause this problem. Also try slackening your clutch cable a little. That will bring the biting point of the clutch back closer to the handlebar

[dazza]

Tick over too low ? My bike does this if the idle revs are too low.

[johna6968]

If the clutch biting point is almost at the bars then I would say its in need of adjustment and wont be helping the problem..

[papercutout]

I'll be riding to work very shortly (damn night shifts), so I'll adjust the biting point then, and we'll have to see.

The chain is fine, I retensioned it the other day. Tickover seems fine too. About 1K.

[dazza]

I could be wrong but 1k sounds low to me, it's certainly too low for a thou, don't know about the 600's. Can anyone confirm this ? .

[johna6968]

Usually aim for 1200 rpm idle (hot)...

[Punkstig]

There should only be 5mm freeplay at the clutch lever.

You obviously don't do many clutchup wheelies with the biting point back there!

Oh, and I assume you're using four fingers not two!

[fazersharp]

Biting point sounds a little too much.  Somtimes when comming to a quick stop I can find- finding netural being a bit iffy somtimes, maybe because im lost as to what gear im in or was when I stopped.
I think I end up doing what you do and from 1st kick up to 2nd and then "tap" down but I think its only when Ive stopped in a hurry.

[papercutout]

I adjusted the biting point out a little last night, and there was no difference. I'll do it a bit further tonight to see if that helps.


I don't do any wheelies, I know my limits, and I'd rather not make a tit of myself (5mm isn't that comfortable, I ride the bike in all weathers, and when it was bitterly cold I wanted as little movement of my fingers from the heated grips as possible! lol)