Motorcycle Repair: 1997 Yamaha Royal Star shifting problems?, yamaha royal star, clutch applications

Question
I have a 1997 Royal Star that shifts rougher when warmed up. When I shift from 1st to 2nd with my heel I have to be careful or I get some crunching when the gears engage. It goes into the other gears okay but not as smooth as when cold. Is this normal? If not do you have any idea what the problem could be? The clutch seems to function normally and I can detect no slippage. I am running Mobil 1 20-50 synthetic motorcycle oil if this matters.  

Answer
Hi Gary,

The problem is not normal. I haven't heard of any other owners experiencing the same problem.

The crunching sound is a major concern. That's sliding  metal pressing against rotating metal.

Is the oil designed for use with motorcycles? The last time I looked it was not suitable for wet clutch applications. You mentioned the clutch was not slipping.

The problem happens when metal reaches operating temperatures and expansion occurs. Could be a transmission problem, clutch master/slave cylinder problem, or a simple adjustemt.

Inspect oil after draining for evidence of metal particles. Some metal particles are to be expected with normal use. Excessive particles means further investigation is necessary.

I recommend having a local Yamaha tech inspect the problem for you.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively