Goldwing "Ghost Shifting" - Thoughts & fixes?

[Dez]

Greetings,

This weekend while riding through the Smokies I experienced without warning a non-human initiated downshift from 5th to 4th on my '04 Goldwing CSC Trike.... BAM - just like that going about 65 mph she downshifted. I have since read a few articles outlining things from lazy shifting, oil grades, rocker shifters/toe-heel shifters, to tranny issues.... I've had her for approx. 6000 miles and she has a total of 17,000. Never happened before. What experience have any of you had on this topic and what was done to fix?

So far my plan is to 1 - make sure no lazy shifting and 2 - get the oil changed to something like amsoil... I figured for now that I would focus in on things I have control over.

What are your thoughts, ideas, suggestions??

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gold Rush]

Greetings,

This weekend while riding through the Smokies I experienced without warning a non-human initiated downshift from 5th to 4th on my '04 Goldwing CSC Trike.... BAM - just like that going about 65 mph she downshifted. I have since read a few articles outlining things from lazy shifting, oil grades, rocker shifters/toe-heel shifters, to tranny issues.... I've had her for approx. 6000 miles and she has a total of 17,000. Never happened before. What experience have any of you had on this topic and what was done to fix?

So far my plan is to 1 - make sure no lazy shifting and 2 - get the oil changed to something like amsoil... I figured for now that I would focus in on things I have control over.

What are your thoughts, ideas, suggestions??

Thanks in advance!

There are a number of theories regarding the real cause of the Ghost Shifting Dez.

Initially, we all thought it was just a bent shift fork because we were hot rodding the Wings and shifting too hard. Later on, someone decided the only way to prevent that was to grind the gears so they were always pulling each other together. Can't say if that was a cure or a band aide. Mostly learned to tell when it was going to happen and get ahead of the game.

My '01 would pop out of 5th back into 4th every once in a while. My '06 did the same. I noticed in each case there was a different feeling sometimes when shifting (like something did not fully engage). When that happened I could almost bet it was going to kick out. Got to when I felt that situation I would intentionally down shift then up shift again to prevent the surprise.

Have not had that issue with the '15 as yet but on occasion it will just not shift from 1st to 2nd until I release the shifter and do it again. The shifter lever moves but no shifting action takes place.

Same root cause I believe but don't know what it is. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[3FOR2]

"Have not had that issue with the '15 as yet but on occasion it will just not shift from 1st to 2nd until I release the shifter and do it again. The shifter lever moves but no shifting action takes place. Same root cause I believe but don't know what it is."

That really warms my heart... I thought it was me...

 

[JaysGone]

Greetings,

This weekend while riding through the Smokies I experienced without warning a non-human initiated downshift from 5th to 4th on my '04 Goldwing CSC Trike.... BAM - just like that going about 65 mph she downshifted. I have since read a few articles outlining things from lazy shifting, oil grades, rocker shifters/toe-heel shifters, to tranny issues.... I've had her for approx. 6000 miles and she has a total of 17,000. Never happened before. What experience have any of you had on this topic and what was done to fix?

So far my plan is to 1 - make sure no lazy shifting and 2 - get the oil changed to something like amsoil... I figured for now that I would focus in on things I have control over.

What are your thoughts, ideas, suggestions??

Thanks in advance!

Its also happened to me a handful of times over the past 4 years.

In my case 4th to 3rd under acceleration.

Took the trike to Honda while still under the basic warranty.

Their answer was and I quote.

" It doesn't exist". End of Hondas non help.

 

[rwbetour]

2008

My 2008 has done it (5th down to 4th) about 4 times over the years but in recent years, it has not done it at all. Fingers crossed.

 

[Road Rider]

My 2008 has done it (5th down to 4th) about 4 times over the years but in recent years, it has not done it at all. Fingers crossed.

My 2008 started ghost shifting every once in a while when I first got it used . It got progressively worse until the transmission finally went completely. At first I thought I may not have put it into gear all the way but I have been riding motorcycles for over 40 years with no transmission problems. I had to get the bikes transmission rebuilt. Justwings.com is the place to find your answers. In my opinion Greg is the best one to work on the problem he has rebuilt over 40 transmissions. His web site has a lot of information and he will also be glad to talk to you on the phone.