Can't find neutral with the engine running. Speed Triple

[Tucovonsmash]

So the Triumph Speed Triple has been standing for a while as i have been out of the country and then the weather has been gash.

It has been started up weekly and runs fine but today i decided to put it in gear for no particular reason.

It sounded noisier than usual when going into gear (i know the speed triple isnt the last thing sophistication on the gearbox front) and then would not go back into neutral. it was hard to move it from 1st to 2nd but would definitely not get neutral.

with the engine off it went straight into neutral fine.

i know thats vague but anyone got any thoughts?

is it just abnormally cold? does that make a difference?

would the gearbox oil have sunk to the bottom and it needs a decent run out? is that even possible?

is there another black hole in the universe growing ever larger and larger that has begun life in the gearbox of my motorbike and is about to expand and swallow up my house and the neighbours?

thoughts appreciated?

cheers

theo

[3DP]

Clutch drag - can't remember if they are hydraulic clutches, but if so, bleed it out.

Plates could just have dried out though and needs a run.

Either way, it's symptom of the clutch plates not fully parting and therefore loading the transmission making it hard to select neutral.

[Jazoli]

It'll just be because the oil is cold and the clutch will be dragging slightly, it can take a long time for the oil to come up to temperature compared to the water, once its fully up to temp I imagine it will be fine again.

Edit re above, its cable operated Pete.

[moanthebairns]

Crud in the lever mechanism?

At this time of the year in can be troublesome to find neural if it's a tad sticky.

[Tucovonsmash]

Hoofing

thanks for the replies gentlemen (if any of you are women then thank you as well you are cool to)

hopefully no massive bill coming my way when i get it serviced, will see if it eases on the run into town.

cheers

theo

[ssray]

A motorbike gearbox is not really designed to shift up and down without the vehicle moving, try ( if you can) getting the rear wheel off of the ground, paddock stand etc and change gear then
Ray

[bgunn]

Little blip of revs and then try shifting into neutral.

[thatdude]

If it's been just sitting and left on the side-stand, the oil can drain away from the clutch plates (usually the clutch plates are on the opposite side of the stand) and dry out. They can "fuse" a little and this can cause drag.

Not a bad idea when the eninge is running to hold the clutch lever in, sprad the plates part and let some oil get in between.

Do try adjusting the clutch mechanism (it might need more adjustment than just the cable, I'm not sure if that is possible easily though) and also get it out for a ride, say a 10-mile round trip.

My suzuki owners manual suggests that, when storing for a long time, before storage to drain the existing oil and re-fill with fresh oil right up to the fill hole! I presume this is, in part, to help stop clutch issues. Of course, you have to drain again afterwards before resuming use of the bike!

As for oil itself; your engine dosnt have seperate engine and gearbox oil. The engine, clutch and gearbox are all lubricated by the same fill of oil.