New Hodaka Wombat owner with downshifting problems

[Jerrycole1318]

I just took delivery of my 72 Wombat and just love it excluding missing shifts only when downshifting. Upshifting is precise. I searched the thread and didn't see any discussion on missing shift when only downshifting. Any help would be appreciated. The bike is all original with 2100 miles. And looking forward to many enjoyable rides. Thanks Jerry in SC. Would love to find any other members near me in Columbia, SC or Saluda, NC

[RichardMott]

A: Measurement Method
Remove magneto cover assembly. Remove the foot change inside cover. Measure
from the inside surface of the magneto cover to the nearest face of the shifter
sliding pin. The proper measurement is 35.1mm (1.38 in.) (measured at the
center of the shifter arm slack). Loosen the lock nut and adjust the eccentric
bolt as necessary to achieve the proper measurement. Tighten the lock nut and
re-install the inside cover. NOTE: If desired, the inside cover may be left
in place - in which case, the proper measurement is 37mm (1.45 in.)

[RichardMott]

B: Trial and error method
Place a stand or block under the motorcycle so it is held upright with the rear
wheel clear of the ground. Shift transmission to low gear. Remove the two
Phillips head screws securing the shifter cover to the magneto cover and set
cover aside. Using a metal stylus, scribe a line from the head of the shifter
arm adjusting bolt down and across the shifter guide. Turn the lock nut
securing the shifter arm adjusting bolt counterclockwise one turn. (Prevent
adjusting bolt from turning while loosening lock nut by holding with a 10mm end
wrench). Rotate the eccentric shouldered adjuster bolt 1/4 turn
COUNTERCLOCKWISE from scribed line and tighten lock nut (against prevent
adjuster bolt from turning while tightening lock nut). Rock rear wheel forward
and backward to test for low gear engagement. Repeat process for second,
third, and top gears. If engagement appears to be satisfactory, test ride the
machine as final proof. If the transmission fails to shift properly during
the road test or while rocking the wheel to test engagement, back off the
adjusting bolt lock nut, reset adjuster bolt position to 1/4 turn CLOCKWISE
from scribed line on shifter guide and tighten lock nut and test as before.
Properly adjusted, the transmission will not skip a gear, neither will it
allow the gear to come in and out of engagement under acceleration. After
adjusting, check lock nut for tightness and replace shifter cover and screws.

[Bullfrog]

Rick has given you all the information for checking adjustment, and adjusting, your shifter mechanism -- but here is a bit of information on what might be going on.

Check for "slop" in the fit of the foot change shaft in its bore in the shifter case. Slop there will result in shifting problems. If you get into the innards of the shifter, check for signs of excessive wear/"slop" of the other things that move too - again, excessive wear/"slop" will cause problems.

The specific symptom you report - problems with missed shifts while down-shifting only - suggests that ONE of your control shaft springs is partially collapsed (the one on the right end of the control shaft). The control shaft springs and ball receiver can be replaced with the engine in the frame - though you'll need a Workshop Manual to guide you through the procedure (or it may be covered in a tech article in the Resonator Revisited?) HOWEVER, keep in mind that the control shaft spring has collapsed because one of the following two situations exists: 1) shifter mechanism is out of adjustment (and has been for a long time) 2) there is excessive wear("slop") in the shifter mechanism. AND, keep in mind that if my long distance diagnosis is correct - you will need to replace the control shaft springs AND re-build or adjust the shifter mechanism to restore proper shifting. Replacing the control shaft springs alone won't fix it - and rebuilding/adjusting the shift mechanism alone won't fix it. You'll have to do both. Not big problems to fix, but both must be addressed.

Ed

[Jerrycole1318]

Thank you guys a lot. I don't have the skill or confidence to attempt so will look for a mechanically inclined chap to do it with your instructions and parts from our sponsor. Jerry

[viclioce]

I had never split a set of cases before buying my first Hodaka, 3 years ago. If you go to the strictly Hodaka website, you can
1. buy a Wombat shop manual, &
2. Do the job yourself, putting fear aside.
Between the info in the manual and the folks on this forum, you can do it. Just read & ask questions. It's not going to explode on you like an old pocket watch full of springs!

This does, however, require a few specialty tools. If you're going to own a Hodaka, you should get used to doing your own work, to know it was done right and for the personal satisfaction! Victor

[viclioce]

If you really don't want to do your own work, tell us where you live and maybe one of us knows someone near by? Victor