Finding Neutral V7III

[Kiwi_Roy]

I have a V7III Special
Sometimes when i'm sitting at a light with the clutch lever pulled in I think about that poor little thrust bearing tearing itself to pieces
It would be nice to be able to slip into Neutral and not have to hold in the clutch while I wait for the light to change.
But it's a heck of a job to find Neutral the box goes from 1st to second and back again without so much as a flicker of the N light

Does anyone have an idea how I can improve the Neutral selection with the engine running?

Thanks in advance

Roy

[John A]

I try to hit neutral while I’m still moving if it seems I’ll be stopped for awhile. ‘Snot optimal. Sometimes it helps to let the clutch out a little to spin things a bit. It’s troublesome alright

[Kev m]

Your clutch cable adjustment is just a hair too loose.

I've seen this on at least a half dozen smallblocks including factory demos (I've pulled over and reset them on the side of the road) and most recently my own V7III as a warm engine started to show the same symptom.

Just snug it up a tiny bit more, obviously making sure it still fully engages.

My MkIII slips right into neutral now.

[Vagrant]

If it's not at 2MM it just doesn't work right on the III. Funny thing, the v85's don't care where they are at. Find a 2MM drill bit and use that to set the free play.

[Moparnut72]

I have the exact same bike. I have absolutely no trouble finding neutral. On mine shifting gears takes a more gentle touch than any other bike I have owned. I adjust my clutch to have a very small amount of free play before releasing the clutch. The new Mandellos have hydraulic clutches which are set up this way as they should be. Riders have complained about them, they shouldn't as this is the way they should be. Set up this way makes for much smoother shifting instead of having the pull the lever in a fair amount you just have to preload the shift lever and tickle the lever and the shift will be smooth and silent. I learned to do this many years ago on old Airheads which were notorious for clunky shifts.
kk

[Kev m]

This is the way ...

[Kiwi_Roy]

This is the way ...

Did you forget the attachment Kev?
2mm where?

[Kev m]

Did you forget the attachment Kev?
2mm where?

Sorry it was a pop culture reference (it means the last words spoken are basically a religious truth).

But I'm happy to answer your question.

Insert the drill bit between the lever and perch where the cable enters the lever. The idea is to adjust the cable so that's all the freeplay there is and past that movement of the lever immediately starts to pull the lever on the transmission.

I mean I do it by feel with a small gauge ruler but it's the same result, 2 mm freeplay.

[mhershon]

I get neutral from second as I'm slowing for the light. Having ridden British stuff years ago, I cannot sit at a light in gear. Our old Britbikes would overheat the clutches immediately rendering you clutchless for the duration of your ride. As you're decelerating to the red stoplight, ease the lever down into neutral from second. If it resists, open the throttle just slightly and it'll slide right into neutral. Once you've done it a few times...and adjusted your cable correctly, all will be well. Trust me, and the Wildguzzi regulars.

[kingoffleece]

On motorcycles that were a bit hesitant to go into N at a stop I feather the clutch just a bit so the bike moves maybe 2 inches, pull it in and shift while the bike is moving ever so slowly.  Works every time and has for over 50 years.

[Bulldog9]

Your clutch cable adjustment is just a hair too loose.

I've seen this on at least a half dozen smallblocks including factory demos (I've pulled over and reset them on the side of the road) and most recently my own V7III as a warm engine started to show the same symptom.

Just snug it up a tiny bit more, obviously making sure it still fully engages.

My MkIII slips right into neutral now.

Agreed, I use the dime method. Put a dime between the clutch lever and the housing and adjust the cable for no slack. I just had to adjust mine after this 3,000 MI trip. The first time in about 6,000 mi it had to make a clutch adjustment.