Factory Pro Shift Kit to fix crappy shifts?

[twitchmonitor]

The shifts on my '95 900ss feel like shit. No other way to put it. The shifts aren't very positive, and don't quite feel "right." I just discovered the Factory Pro makes a small kit designed to fix this, but haven't talking to anyone who's used it.

Here's the kit: prodd09.html, Ducati 900ss/cr/sp Test Data by EC997a Eddy Current Dynamometer

Has anybody got experience with this product, or done something else to clean up the shifting?

[Hedgehog]

What exactly is wrong with your shifts other than it doesn't feel right? Have you checked the shift pawl to make sure it's centered on the pins? Is the pawl arm spring broken? Is there a problem with the centering mechanism?

[Ducman851]

Ill let you know. I just got one from someone to try out.

[Graydon]

Will this shift kit reduce or eliminate getting neutrals between 3rd and 4th and between 4th and 5th and between 5th and 6th? I seem to be able to get neutrals between all of the top gears.

Thanks,

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Graydon

Will this shift kit reduce or eliminate getting neutrals between 3rd and 4th and between 4th and 5th and between 5th and 6th? I seem to be able to get neutrals between all of the top gears.

Thanks,

Graydon, if you're getting neutrals in one direction only (i.e. either upshifting or downshifting but not both) then it's likely the pawl isn't centered properly over the shift pins.

[Graydon]

Bob,

Thanks for your comment. Is the pawl on the left side or the right side on this trans? Is it something that can be adjusted?

Thanks,

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Graydon

Bob,

Thanks for your comment. Is the pawl on the left side or the right side on this trans? Is it something that can be adjusted?

Thanks,

It's on the left side. If you have the Haynes manual, the adjustment is on page 2-28 (at least in mine). See figure 15.7a for what I mean by centering. The pawl arm spring on mine broke years ago, but I can't remember if I got false neutrals or if I had to play with the pedal to get it to shift.

[Graydon]

Thanks, Bob.

I'll look at it next oil change.

[Hedgehog]

I just remembered: as a practical matter, you can get a good idea if the pawl centering is OK by moving the shift arm when the bike is properly in a gear. If it moves the same amount in each direction before "grabbing", then it's probably OK.

Good luck!

[DucatiDom]

Or just get a billet shift lever and go to GP shift pattern. Haven't had a false neutral since I switched. Got the lever on fleabay for like $65.

[DucatiDom]

Remove the linkage and get a billet lever, haven't had a false neutral since. Drawback is getting used to the GP pattern, especially if you have more than 1 bike. Got my lever fron flleabay for about $70

[Ducati23]

The pawl spring very rarely is an issue (behind the clutch under the right side cover). Under the left side cover, check the shift rachet arm tension spring (the one in the 90 degree angle area) that holds the rachet arm down and check the rachet arm shift stop (small tab that sits under the shift select wheel pins during a shift) Both can break, usually one follows the other when a break happens. This isn't common out of the blue, but happens frequently if a left side tip over occurs. The parts are not expensive as Ducati parts go.

The centering of the rachet arm is also important but to do this correctly it requires a Ducati tool that allows the arm centering mark to be centered visually while the transmission is manually placed in 2nd gear.

The factorypro kit won't fix either of these problems and doesn't really do much since the Ducati shift star and detent spring are adequate from the start. On many bikes the factorypro kit helps a bunch, not so much with the Ducati application.

These problems are best left to a Ducati service tech, but you can try to do it on your own. The actual transmission is rarely damaged as it is nearly bullet proof. Of course there are exceptions but not very many.

[Ducati23]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog

I just remembered: as a practical matter, you can get a good idea if the pawl centering is OK by moving the shift arm when the bike is properly in a gear. If it moves the same amount in each direction before "grabbing", then it's probably OK.

Good luck!

This is not correct. The shifter centering feel spring controls the spring loaded movement or feel of the shifter. You feel it when you move the shifter up or down before it actuall engages the rachet & pawls.

The actual movement of the mechanism may or may not measure the travel differential depending on if the rachet arm tab is broken or bent. No good way to know this without pulling the left cover and inspecting the shift mechanism.

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Ducati23

This is not correct. The shifter centering feel spring controls the spring loaded movement or feel of the shifter. You feel it when you move the shifter up or down before it actuall engages the rachet & pawls.

The actual movement of the mechanism may or may not measure the travel differential depending on if the rachet arm tab is broken or bent. No good way to know this without pulling the left cover and inspecting the shift mechanism.

I said "as a practical matter". If the thing is no longer centered, then something has happened; whether it's a broken pawl arm spring (just happened on the monster board to someone), or a bent pawl arm or whatever.