can't downshift smoothly

[dee jones]

After running the 94R1100RS for about a tank of gas and pulling off the interstate, I've noticed the bike want allow me to shift down into the lower gears without a real struggle. Also there seems to be a different pitch or whine at about 4 to 5 thousand RPM's in 3rd and 4th gears.The clutch seems to be properly adjusted so I am starting to feel like the problem may be in the gearbox.The bike only has 35000 miles on it and it seems that the transmisson rattles more than our other RS. Has anyone had an experiance like this?

[BMW-K]

Not as of yet, but let me ask you this: do you "throttle blip" downshift?

I find that if blip the throttle before downshifting (which equalizes the RPM's at the rear wheel on the downshift) I have no problems at all getting a perfect shift without any chatter.

[JimVonBaden]

On my 94 RS my upshifting and down shifting is pretty smooth. The only time I have a problem is when I stop fast without downshifting as I go. It can be a bit tricky to get it all the way to first. Otherwise my bike shifts as smooth as any Asian bike I have ridden.

Do you have a good synthetic in your tranny? Redline Shockproof or Mobile 1 gear oil makes a world of difference in trnas shifting.

As for the rattle, the 94-95 and some 96 trannies tend to be lounder than normal.

Jim

[Feedback]

It just seems to be the nature of the beast. I went through all those concerns when I first got my 94 this summer. I have found that if I have to stop fast, leaving it at the top of the gear box, I have to slowly let the clutch out (Not all the way, you have to feather it a bit) while putting downward pressure on the shifter. You will feel it drop into gear. I have gotten better with practice and can get it to the bottom of the gear box quick now.

[AntonL]

Is this what you are experiencing?

If you roll off the throttle and THEN try to downshift, the lever doesn't want to move. If you are on the throttle and then clutch and downshift without engine braking first, all is OK.

If this is the case, you probably need to adjust the cable.

[bjaanning]

I also seem to remember someone here once mentioning that the level of trans- fluid may be low with those symptoms.

[flars]

IF the clutch is adjusted correctly:
1. If you come to a stop then try to downshift, you will ofttimes have trouble going down through the gears. This is normal. Do what they recommend about letting the clutch out a little to get it to drop in. I am sure you probably know about this type of problem.
2. If you are having trouble downshifting when slowing down or trying to drop a gear to get the rpm up, you may have dry input shaft splines. I think this usually shows up in the 3-2 shift, but also exists in the 4-3 shift. You should pop over to www.bmwrt.com or www.bmwgs.com and search for 'input shaft splines' or 'spline lube' and you will see a lot of discussion about this. If this is what is happening, you need to get it taken care of before you strip the splines (and coast to the side of the road with no more go power). This isn't a big deal to take care of - just don't put it off or else it WILL break.

[scottfarm]

If your shifting is getting sticky it is a sure sign it needs a spline lube. It should be done at least every 20K. When Was it done last on your bike. I could not believe the difference in shifting when I did mine. My clutch was gone at 40K and I replaced it also.

[dee jones]

I really never thought about the splines being the problem. Since I just purchased the bike,I am not sure when they were last done. Since there seems to be more growling than on the other BMW's I've owned I figured I stick in a new,used transmisson and clutch in while I was at it. But I'am thinking that maybe it nots necessary. The 94 RS only has 36K on it,do the transmissions usually wear out that fast on the 94s? Thanks for all the suggestions. Its hard to get the bike to downshift into First after its been ridden a while.

[rdfarr]

Is that the drive shaft spline? I didn't think oilheads had a lube interval, unlike the old airheads. (I'd look it up in my Clymers for the answer, but lost it in the recent hurricane.)