Dumb question about gearbox lubricant

I think before I tried a different oil to solve this issue I would experiment with the amount of free-play for the clutch.

The reason why I say this is that I was having trouble finding neutral on my Tiger after adjusting the clutch as per the 'book'. Had real trouble finding neutral so I tightened up the free-play a bit and the trouble just disappeared !

 

Modern motorcycle engine oil is designed/formulated to lubricate both the engine and the gearbox at the same time without causing problems with the clutch (slip or drag - occasionally both!).
Daft as it sounds, an oil and filter change using good quality motorcycle specific oil will often improve the action of the gearbox, especially if the oil has not been changed recently.
Also, as thebiglad says, check that the clutch is properly adjusted.
There is no need to use gearbox oil in the engine, so don't! Ever!!

 

Agree with Steve. If it's not had a recent oil change do that instead

 

Put it in the dustbin

 

You should have about 3mm free play between the the lever and the mount, easily done with the cable adjuster.

 

I think the transmission oil you are referring to is for the rear bevel box on a shaft drive bike

 

if the adjustment makes no difference I would change the oil. in a Sprint forum I use some of the guys swear by silkolene,some motul but always quality oil of the correct grade for the bike. pretty sure your bike is good on semi synthetic but check it out. Never ever use additives they cause more probs than they fix on modern bikes

 

ps likewise best to leave car oil alone

 

Any good quality bike oil is perfect. Halfords own brand is supposed to be Silkolene but that's just rumour.
Personally I pay the extra so that I know what I have

 

Be careful with low friction additives as they can cause clutch slip in engines with wet clutches. I would also check the gear selector and associated linkages are nice and free with very little slop in their movement. I once bought a Bandit 600 that had supposedly lost six gear. It was just excessive play in the gear linkages that were not giving full travel. Made a tidy profit on it

 

Glad some one remembered the alternative name for Silkolene. I couldn't for the life of me remember it

 

I agree with the biglad, adjust the clutch free play and all will be well, same thing with my hyperstrada, I have to adjust that quite often, soon as I start to have problems engaging neutral, it's time to tweek the clutch cable a little. They do stretch over time and also as the clutch plates wear.