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Can’t find Neutral
Hi All-
I’m the new owner of a 2001 v92c with 42k miles. I bought the bike 3 days ago in NC after a pretty short test ride. I noticed that it was difficult to downshift into 2nd and 1st gear and mentioned it to the owner as I had read a little about transmission issues with the first gen bikes. He said it didn’t have “that” issue and that it had to do with “oil”. I didn’t press. Maybe I should have. I’ve never been a wrencher, just a rider, until recent circumstances have put me in a situation where I can no longer afford Indians or mechanics. 🙂 And so I am a dangerous wanna be wrencher now at age 56, with no garage, no lift, and pretty limited tools.
Anyway I bought the bike because he took $1500 and I figured I’d still come out okay even if she had some issues. I rented a U-Haul trailer and brought her back to SC where she promptly refused to start, not even turning over. I charged the battery to no effect, bit the bullet and bought a new battery, but she still wouldn’t start. Long story short I changed the plugs (first time in my life on any vehicle) and with a 2×4 on the floorboard propping the tank up (I knew it would be bad if I removed the tank) and after a few hours (yes hours) I managed to pull the old plugs and replace them. And so I replaced and tightened everything and guess what? She started immediately! I was so stoked! No mechanic. No bill outside of parts.
Fantastic. I hop on the bike and go for a ride. She sounds great (no baffle pipes that look like Vance & Hines long shots but I can’t find any markings) and she scoots too (Victory Anger Management EFI which I just started reading about). Shifting is hard and clunky loud but I’ve read that this is normal. I watched Rylans video on the first gen Vics and unless I missed something the ’01 shouldn’t have the trans issues of the first two years, correct or no?
Loud and clunky I can deal with, but sitting at a light for 4 minutes holding the clutch in because I can’t find Neutral is no bueno. 🙂
I have a downloaded service manual that I’ve been reading, but the only thing I’ve found so far is a grease point on the shifter assembly. I have no idea if the transmission is crapola or not.
Please help and remember that though I’ve been riding for 25 years I’ve never really done any work on any of my bikes (Triumphs for 20 years, Indians for 5 years) I’m ashamed to say. I’m a quick study and eager to learn, but I’m dangerous now that I actually got a bike to start. hahaha.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Victor
ps I forgot to mention that when I first rode the v92c I fell in love. She just “fits” me. 🙂
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1 Reply
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You bought the wrong bike for a guy with “with no garage, no lift, and pretty limited tools.”
You are only 3 days or so in. Do you want to learn a new skill? Buy a load of new tools? Spend the next riding season’s nights and weekends in the garage learning the in’s and out’s of this bike until all the items are fixed?
Or are you looking for cheap, reliable, fun transportation that is a good use of your time and money?
If the former, then buy the lifetime membership here, a manual, upgrade the toolbox, garage, etc. and start digging into a bike that probably has a variety of issues that no local mechanic will be able to figure out. Here is where you teach yourself that new skill.
Or if the latter, sell this bike and buy a Victory created after 2003 when the reliability and trustworthiness of the bike drastically increased.
There will be no way for me personally, from my desktop in Iowa, to figure out all the things that could be wrong with this bike. There are just so many combination of possibilities.
When you buy a 1999-2001 Victory you make a pact with the motorcycling gods that you’re an awesome mechanic, with a fully stock garage, and you are ready to tackle whatever silly shit the bike throws at you. Your first 99-01 will always be the one you learn the hard lessons on. But in a week/month/year or however long it takes then you’re left with a bike that is unique, interesting and fun. But damn, what a journey it’ll be to get there.