84-85 Honda Shadow Problems??

Question

Alright. My dad has a 84-85 honda shadow that works really well. All except for the shifting/transmission part. When I rode it, the thing woulnd't shift down easily. You had to hit it down a couple times and then it would shift. Causes problems when i reach intersections when it does that. Shifting up has no problems at all. I would like to fix it in order to get my motorcycle liscense with that bike cause I don't have any others. Whats the matter with it? Is it getting too old and dryed out or what? How can i fix it?

I'm still rolling when i shift down. This is during the ride not when i stop.

Answer 1

With the engine "not running", try shifting through all the gears by rocking the bike forward and back (don't use the clutch lever).
The transmission should shift fine.
If not, the motor will have to be disassembled to repair the transmission.
Possible bent shift fork or worn shift drum.

Contact a motorcycle driving school and ask if you can use one of their bikes for your road test at a reduced rate of their course (that's how I took my driving test).

Answer 2

Could simply need new clutches.
Hows the pressure on the shift lever when you pull it in? does it feel nice and crisp or spongy? If it's getting spongy you may need to drain /replace and bleed the system. Pretty simple on that bike. They been know to wear out the seal in the slave cylinder. The one at the transmission. All the above can be done with the engine in the frame. Getting the parts may be a problem for that bike.
Some more detail may help.

Answer 3

Whoa.
All motorcycles are hard to shift down when they're STOPPED. You'll get the hang of shifting down while you're still rolling.

Answer 4

Even though I have been a Honda mechanic for many years I cannot remember off the top of my head what type shifter that model has. If it has a linkage type check all the pivot joints for looseness and/or rust.