Like other vehicles, motorcycles also have transmission systems, and the transmission system makes the wheels rotate. Through a transmission, a motorcycle engine transfers power to the wheels for moving forward. If this vital component has any issues or fails to function normally, it can lead to an unsafe ride and damage all of its engaging components over time. If these issues are not addressed initially, it will undoubtedly cost you a costly repair. Suppose you don’t know anything about transmission, or even if you have some ideas about it, by the end of this article, you will learn everything you need to know. In that case, your concept will be more transparent about motorcycle transmission, and you will be able to address transmission issues at the initial stage and take action against them. Before getting into the main point, let’s learn more about motorcycle transmission.
How does motorcycle transmission work?
The power needed to propel a motorcycle forward is generated by rotating the engine crankshaft. After that, this generated power flows to the clutch. Engine power gets transmitted to the gearbox by the clutch plates pulling together when the clutch lever is released on a motorcycle. The shifting drum spins to move the shift forks while a motorcycle is in gear. This fork works as a slider. It slides the gear into position to engage a specific gear. To move the motorcycle forward, the torque or power produced by the gear is finally transferred to the back wheel through the drive chain or belt.
Some common signs of transmission problems.
1. Poor acceleration and power loss
If your motorcycle has any transmission issues, the first signs you will notice are loss of power and poor acceleration. The calculation is straightforward: acceleration power will automatically decrease when your motorcycle engine can’t efficiently generate enough power to rotate the wheels. In case of transmission issues at the first instance, it will be noticeable that your motorcycle engine may run smoothly, but still, it feels underpowered. It may cause clutch slippage, damaged internal components, and misadjusted throttle or clutch. Problems like poor acceleration and power loss can also occur for other reasons. However, most of the time, such problems are caused by transmission issues.
2. Unusual noise
A motorcycle engine can hear Multiple types of noise due to transmission issues, such as rattling, grinding, whining, clunking, buzzing, slapping, or knocking. That could happen depending on the specific reason. Still, the most common issues that can cause such noise are Worn-out bushings, synchronizers, clutch plates, faulty bearings, damaged gear or gear teeth, loose or misaligned components, and a bad transmission fluid pump. If you are not an expert, it is easier to determine what kind of noise comes from what source. A professional’s assistance is necessary to address the specific problem.
3. Engine overheating
There are many factors behind a motorcycle engine overheating caused by lousy transmission; some of the notable ones are insufficient oil supply to the engine, decreased engine cooling ability, worn-out gear plates or gear teeth, and clutch or gear shifting issues. This type of malfunction puts lots of pressure on the engine, and the engine fails to transfer sufficient power to the wheels. Problems like engine overheating occur mainly due to the engine’s natural workflow being reduced or destroyed.
4. Burning smell
It is not always mandatory that a transmission fault can cause a burning smell. However, there are some significant reasons for the burning smell, such as transmission faults, overheated transmission fluid, clutch problems, and transmission fluid leaks. This wear, tear, and misaligned components cause excessive friction between internal parts. That makes blue or black smoke come out through the exhaust pipe with a sharp burning smell. It is advisable to consult an expert to diagnose this issue properly.
5. Bent shift forks
The shift fork mainly works as a slider to engage and disengage motorcycle gears. When you shift the gears, the shift drum rotates, and shift forks help to move the gear dogs along the transmission shafts to ensure smooth engagement to the correct position. There can be two or more shift forks to handle the movement of the gear set, depending on the transmission design of your motorcycle. For transmission overload and improper shifting, shift forks get bent. When the shift forks get bent, they move out of the transmission, which causes transmission problems.
6. Gear slipping
One of the most common signs of transmission failure is gear slipping. The most liable components for gear slipping are worn-out gear dogs, misaligned clutch, and bent or broken shift frocks. The shifting drum spins to move the shift forks while a motorcycle is in gear. The engine receives power when you accelerate. By putting on the gear, this power or torque travels to the gearbox and then to the wheels through the chain. If the gear is not appropriately engaged, problems like gear slipping occur.
How to prevent a motorcycle transmission?
The easiest way that I follow to prevent unwanted problems and extend the working capacity of my motorcycle transmission is to change the transmission fluid on time, use good quality or recommended fluid, check the clutch adjustment regularly, avoid sudden gear shifting, and always maintain fully clutch engagement while changing the gear. Also, check the drive chain or belt at least once a week and make sure it is maintaining the correct tension and is well lubricated. Keep an eye on if the transmission fluid is leaking. I always give the engine approximately 2-4 minutes to warm up after every start. These steps are reasonably enough to prevent your motorcycle transmission problems.
Prior and proper knowledge about something helps you to be aware of the particular subject and protect yourself from significant losses. Likewise, if you have at least general knowledge about motorcycle transmission care and prevention, it will be easier for you to act accordingly. When you already know or understand the problem in the early stages, your journey with your motorcycle will be more cost-effective, easier, and enjoyable.
I hope you enjoyed the article. If you like it, leave a comment and let me know what you are interested in learning about motorcycles. I’ll be back shortly with the article.