How a motorcycle transmission works (Animation)

This video explains the working mechanisms involved in a motorcycle transmission through relevant animations. Motorcycle gearbox is a series of gear steps that help to change torque and rpm of a wheel depending on the different conditions. It is a constant mesh sequential transmission system. In Constant Mesh Transmission system, all gears remains constantly meshed with each corresponding gear mates at all times.
Music: KZbin audio library
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[@vtaqz4809]

People don't understand how much time goes into modeling, animating and rendering. Great animation!

[@greenmarine5]

Industrial designers have an amazing skill set.

[@shameem8743]

❤

[@knighthollow5023]

coloring those gears made it more easy to understand.

[@Pizdzirynka1]

bullet green hands down to this, made so much more sense

[@zerohero7125]

who ever invented this is a genius without reasonable doubt!

[@FSXflyermaster]

Eat Shit imagine bringing politics into a an engineering video. Snowflakes really like to let everyone know that they’re upset

[@DFX2KX]

Not just that, Constant mesh transmissions in motorcycles use synchromesh most of the time these days (even though they still use the gear-neutral-gear selector drum). Which is a type of constant mesh gearbox developed by GM with a whole team of engineers. So far from the 'inventor-entrepreneur' capitalist ideal Eat Shit's idolizing to boot. They still make more then he does though, most likely.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@eatshit2863 , because she's an America hating demon loving communist. Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 28.

[@guigui78340]

nobody invented this design only improving upon previous iteration of the design. it is called cumulative knowledge. i hope i don't appear to be argumentative

[@jets8991]

sugar glider good call. finally someone inputting actual information rather than arguing about a topic that has litteraly nothing to do with this

[@mboyer68]

I've worked on motorcycles since 1979. And I'm a degreed mechanical engineer. This is the best explanation I've ever seen! Some of those old GM videos showing how car rear axles and other things are on par with this, but you also have a much better narrator:) Thank you for creating this video!!

[@FLMKane]

Hey man can you give me some advice about how to get an engineering job? This is random but I've been unemployed since last year and I have a masters degree in Me

[@jonbreneman6101]

@@FLMKane Can I ask what area you're from? Here in the Northeast, there are far more engineering jobs than there are engineers. You might have to be open to moving to an area with a lot of tech jobs if you're having trouble where you are currently. I am still a student, but many of my friends are already involved with internships that have offered them full time positions upon graduation

[@user-pi2nn4ee5q]

@@FLMKane и

[@Mohammed-hb8rc]

💯🌹

[@Muwahid999]

@@jonbreneman6101 which place are you referring to , btw?

[@TecknoMechanics]

Visually, the gear sizes are exaggerated for presentation purposes and are not to scale, as some gears may appear unrealistic. But the positions and shifting are correct (including 4th and 5th gears )and match with that of real life gearbox.

[@eatshit2863]

I did learn something , thank you. I leaned that I wish I had a 6 speed bike.

[@thepoorprince3494]

can i download your video?

[@TecknoMechanics]

Yes you can

[@jefffrayer8238]

Perfect video and explains everything great. I was hoping to learn why my 2 Harley's and Honda all clunk hard going from 1st to 2nd but not the other gears. Watching several times even at slow motion I couldn't quite figure it out. Thanks for your great videos.

[@FinalStopMobileAutoTech]

@@jefffrayer8238 clutch basket wear

[@matthewbrown7659]

Pretty sure the star shift detent mechanism in my 2006 Ducati Monster has a neutral spot ground in between EVERY DAMN GEAR.

[@kosomies]

That's why you buy a new drum and change the old one

[@somedudeinchirons4936]

Its a false neutral dont worry

[@derpydrummer1529]

You have to shift all the way up not a incomplete shift or you will hit neutral when shifting fast and also if you don’t your transmission to make weird noises match revs with the speed the shift down or up counts on speed and revs

[@biglightball]

This false neutrals occur when shifting improper way. Wrong rev match. Not pushing the gearbox leaver before the actual shift. and or Not pushing it long enough. Animation in this video is very good. If you watch it closely and with understanding, then you can learn how to eliminate false neutrals, have *huge* satisfaction from riding properly and keep your gearbox from breaking completely.

[@biglightball]

If you will practice, then you will be able to shift gears in much less than 0.5s, up and down, without false neutrals.

[@larryproffer8603]

Funny, I’ve had the gear sets in my hands many times, disassembled and reassembled transmissions in my dirt bikes but didn’t really understand how they functioned until I watched this video. Thanks.

[@mx500a4]

Yes same here, I was just the changing bearings on my suzuki RM125 rotating the transmission trying to figure out why some gears are half way meshed, now it makes sense. What a great video.

[@mboyer68]

Well said! I know exactly how you feel!!

[@williamfrock268]

Omg lol. Ive been riding and racing 30 years and never could visualize it. Probably should watch the video twice, how crazy.

[@davidmalin5491]

Same here on a Yamaha gearbox you can misalign the neutral position and it comes between 2nd and 3rd

[@gettinemail]

I feel like a magician just showed me how he does his magic tricks

[@sinsilius]

If only there was a such fine video back when I was starting to firgure out and fix bikes... Great explanation!

[@rickarddt]

Yeah man, I've learned a huge amount from this type of content in the past 3 years since I have uncapped fibre. I've always bought the Haynes manual for my current vehicle, now I have that and the experience of countless mechanics and home DIY men as reference, what a blessing.

[@skeler3759]

🇱🇹

[@jrob5115]

@@skeler3759 88 HH SH

[@gotYOUR3s]

It’s so simple yet such an intimidating subject. Thank you for finally explaining a motorcycle transmission to me. I’ve always just accepted that it’s magic and those who do transmission work are just secretly wizards

[@ravenblackwing7888]

Same lmao

[@siggyincr7447]

Well done on the video. A lot of these technical channels have terrible narration or inaccurate animations. Nice to see one done well.

[@GeofreySanders]

Grammar was funky. Lots of missing articles.

[@kkfoto]

@@GeofreySanders True, funky writing, but effective anyway

[@jjsnead1294]

Agreed. This was very informative. Granted, I had to watch it 3 times but that's my fault.

[@ericl2969]

@@GeofreySanders It sounded like typical "Japanese English". It's extremely difficult to translate to English with completely proper grammar if your native language is Japanese (I base this on all the English instructions I've read for products made in Japan). I'm cutting them some slack for that. Anyone who can speak both of those languages and translate even poorly is smarter than I am.

[@user-jc1km1qv1m]

Because it's indian

[@remigusker6024]

"We find neutral position only between 1st and 2nd gear" Modern Honda gearbox: AHEM?!?!

[@macariealexandru5861]

Whats "modern honda gearbox"? :D

[@gullit97]

Don’t wanna be that guy, but my 2019 cb650r never gave me a false neutral so I guess they’re not that bad 😂

[@busansanai]

Harley Davidson Street Rod: imma forget about that ridge thingy. You can stay on first gear and keep the clutch disengaged with your hand.

[@ScienceChap]

Get a quickshifter, like on my Yamaha MT10...

[@Novur]

@Corn On The Colb hate explaining the joke, but the comment you're replying to is implying that Honda gearboxes aren't modern in their design, for comedic effect

[@denchua]

The level of detail in the explanation is amazing!

[@TheMasterfulcreator]

'This *brief pause* is the neutral position of the motorcycle' Wow, this gave me chills.

[@Bikerbuoy]

I needed a gear selection explanation to send a friend and found this one. Hey! I was the technical director of a Japanese motorcycle brand for 14 years and never saw anything this good. Who need's the factory tear-down manual? Brilliant! Well done you folks.

[@colmreynolds9869]

Awesome video, Thanks. Explains why bike transmissions rarely have problems even though we tend to be rougher on them. Why clutchles shifting works better on bikes, even why I ocasionally get neutral when I accidentally fail to press the lever all the way.

[@LifeOnTwoWheels]

I learned more from this video than in my 4 years of engineering

[@wilsonedward4435]

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣My god this is exactly what I was thinking

[@danielvalderrabano9566]

bruuuh, ypuutbe is the new university. for real

[@I_killed_that_beard_guy]

Practicals are always superior than theory and it's a fact

[@sepg5084]

@@I_killed_that_beard_guy this is a video explanation, not a "practical" whatever.

[@sepg5084]

If you learned more from this video than on your 4 years of engineering, you aren't studying well. I learned this from a book years ago...

[@GabenHood]

Instructions unclear, I am now addicted to ASMR gearbox descriptions.

[@oompalumpus699]

I feel truly blessed to have stumbled upon this channel. I love the professional presentation of these various mechanisms.

[@oc2phish07]

What a brilliant and beautifully prepared video. I have been riding motorcycles since 1964 and teaching motorcycle servicing, maintenance and engineering for almost 20 years. This is the best, clearest, most accurate and detailed demonstration I have ever seen. Congratulations.

[@jothain]

One of the best educational animations I've ever seen with very good explanation of what is going on. This would've been diamond when as kid I opened up my Suzuki engine cases trying to be careful, but dropping loads stuff into table without ever seeing how they were in engine. Luckily I got few pages of some spare part catalogue to see how they could fit back 😂

[@grumblyone3334]

Beautifully articulated! I've been slacking on learning something new every day, & this ought to hold me over for a few!

[@fastpacedcheese]

I could listen to this woman s voice count to 9 billion twice and still be captivated. Also the video is very well made, everytime a question popped in my head they addressed it but more importantly they addressed a whole lotta stuff i didnt even think about. i give to this video a perfect 5\7.

[@royshashibrock3990]

As an engineer, I want to say this is one of the best explainitory videos I have ever seen. No BS, and it clearly explains what the title says the video is about. Bravo

[@tslim250]

yeah this is a perfect demonstration as to how this works, and for gearheads who didn't know how bike's worked!

[@davidhall8874]

That is the best illustration I have EVER seen for motorcycle transmissions. I feel like I truly understand it for the first time!!!

[@srinitaaigaura]

Best video I've seen yet of a motorcycle transmission. It shows animations you can't show even in gearbox teardown videos. So that's why false neutrals can happen sometimes in motorcycles.

[@MagicFoe88]

THANK YOU for being the first ever person to explain why the neutral is in between 1st and 2nd. I never understood it, until now.

[@alfarosiarsita]

This is first vidwo that explain neutral posision in motorcycle!

[@petrsalek984]

306 People are probably CVT fans

[@elihelpdesk7563]

I am going to reiterate what everyone else has said...this video is awesome. I seriously had a lightbulb moment watching all of you motorcycle videos! Thank you for making something so equal parts informative & easy to understand & digest.

[@cpuuk]

That is without doubt the best explanation of a motorcycle gearbox, EVER.

[@henrihawk8825]

I'm getting into motorcycles and I was confused about a lot of this stuff, but this video answered all of my questions! Thanks!

[@isaacnoel4022]

That helped me understand why it feels how it does when you shif through, thank you that's an awesome way to help visual learners.

[@altair7001]

This is probably the best, clearer, and most concise explanation & rendering on the subject. Kudos to the creator.

[@-Graham]

So this is synchromesh gearing. I've heard it for decades but I never visualised it before. This makes total sense! The notched free gears are still rotating with the rest of the system but without power delivery until the keyed gears are slid into them. This is really clever!

[@guard13007]

I love this, especially because it explains why neutral can be difficult to find while shifting, it's a little harder to physically match up with!

[@Fulmynato]

and that's also the reason why motorbikes have a signal light on the cockpit for neutral position, while most manual cars usually don't

[@Engineer9736]

That was interesting! When on the bike i always wondered what the shifter pedal actually did. But when not on the bike i never think about it. So, now i got my answer. Thanks 👍

[@art40odd]

I was a mechanic many years ago. Did play with an occasional gearbox in changing sync cones and swapping out a gear or two. Easy enough but how someone designed then made these was beyond comprehension. Pulling a motor was fun & simple enough as we did quite a few of them, loved pulling apart the V8s then putting them back together along with many diesel engines. Differentials were in the gearbox category but to then explain how to pull apart and rebuild an auto transmission was another level. If doing it everyday, then it may have become clearer. Thanks for your video.

[@dingznthingz]

"We hope you learned something today. Thanks for watching." I learned alot! Videos like this are saved in my watch list to be viewed over and over until I have it memorized. Thanks for an outstanding educational video.

[@ericl2969]

Funny thing, I already knew this because years ago I was curious and looked in one of those aftermarket repair manuals you can get for most popular bikes. The photos of transmission disassembly made the workings of the shift process very clear to me, but I still think it's really cool that someone put this in a video and did such a nice job with their explanation.

[@gauravbiswas3644]

Thank you so so much for this video!

[@andrewbaggley276]

As someone who has every intention of taking a motorcycle engineering/maintenance course in the near future, this video serves as a wonderful introductory piece, and really charges up the interest in seeing how this sort of thing might work in real life. Every thanks for this, and hoping that there are more episodes to come in the series.

[@bikermaniac6002]

The best video related to constant mesh transmission, thanks for posting.

[@autocrow]

Wow, excellent explanation and video! Now I understand the term "constant mesh" and why it's the dogs that break. I've broken two motorcycle gearboxes and fixed them myself, but didn't know much about how it actually worked. Love the animations! Couldn't be any better or easier to understand than this.

[@ddoismael]

p mk ho

[@ddoismael]

ob😊h

[@martinmurphy9821]

Great animation and explanation . Thanks

[@richardstewart4135]

Thank you for creating this. I am a lifetime motorcycle rider and although I have seen the inside of motorcycle transmissions many times, this demonstrates the actual function better than any book I have ever seen. Well done!

[@supersandwich8967]

Very well said!

[@iemandjwzz4614]

This is by far the best explanation ever about a motorcycle transmission.

[@SpeedSeekerMoto]

Now I can finally understand why I grind a gears trying to get back into 1st or 2nd after misshifting into neutrual.

[@SpeedSeekerMoto]

I believe its because you are having to shove the dog gear into the already spinning gear.

[@rrsharizam]

That explains everything I feel when shifting the motorcycle gears

[@vikingson9000]

I could listen to her explain gears all night !! very well illustrated .

[@kevinbeach2383]

I used this to help my grandson understand how the transmission works. GREAT JOB !

[@socks2441]

that was absolutely bloody brilliant. explains literally everything i need to know, and in a super simple way. my dirt bike has a slipping third gear. this video will make it soooo much easier to diagnose and figure out once i finally get around to pulling it apart. :-)

[@ianbrown9047]

It is extremely important to keep every washer gear and clip in the same position as it was. Make sure everything is facing the same direction too. If you miss a single washer it can cause major functionality flaws. If you can find a service manual diagram it’s a big help.

[@oc2phish07]

If by 'slipping' you mean it jumps out of gear at times, especially under hard acceleration, then the chances are you have a slightly bent selector fork. This can be caused by riding with your foot on, or under the gear lever and applying a very slight pressure while you are riding, even if you don't realise you are doing it. It causes the fork to rub excessively hard on the groove in the sliding dog and that causes heat and wear and the fork bends a little. Just being slightly bent can mean the engagement dog clutch teeth don't fully connect with the holes in the adjacent gear and under hard acceleration they jump apart. Usual cure unfortunately is a new selector fork, sliding gear and the gear next to the dog clutch. And gaskets and oil of course.

[@raghunathsyama9843]

Nice graphics I understand everything

[@izzy8609]

This information helps me shift better and makes me understand the process I'm doing hundreds of times a day on my own motorcycle

[@paulalbares643]

Thank you for posting this series, this is very informative, educational and done in such a way that it is comprehensible to anyone who takes the time to digest all aspects of the video. Thank you so much, transmissions have always been a mystery for me and this solved it all.

[@GAMINGwithGregory]

This is so cool

[@Glenburrows]

and that means I will now never consider taking apart my gearbox

[@Pizdzirynka1]

Glen Burrows made me want to have a go one time

[@marklohmann6267]

One of the best explanation of this kind of transmission I’ve ever seen.

[@rinna88]

This is even better than my usual mindfulness practicing! The narration on its own brings me to a higher state of motorcycling consciousness. I think I am going to combine this with yoga and see what happens.

[@johndunn9819]

I did "learn something " today... Thanks for showing.

[@FurrySh0ck]

Honestly, I've had kind of a hard time of understanding what's going on when shifting gears. Thanks, I get it now

[@Richard-wk9le]

This is the very best explanation of how any transmission works I have ever seen Well done thanks

[@mechveteran01]

EXCELLENT demonstration, it finally makes sense!!

[@croveriam6585]

why is this in my recommended at 3 in the morning

[@bossilays_i]

Remember 3 am is best of KZbin recomendation ngl

[@flounder2760]

those gear interactions between dog gears and non dog gears explains the play you get when in gear but the engine is off where you can roll a little forward or backward before the transmission stops you.

[@jaymartinson3236]

I think the term for that is "lash" but i could be wrong.

[@richardkey4289]

That's a big thing to teach someone new to riding moto, that the shifter needs turning to work; hard to explain, easy to demonstrate if a bike is present- ' just do this' ( rock, shake bike a bit, click!)

[@EvilSapphireR]

Can you please explain why that would happen? Logic tells me the wheels shouldn't even rotate with the transmission engaged unless the engine is actually rotating.

[@Roma_da_]

Thanks to this video I loved this mechanism so much that I bought a broken 1996 YZF 1000 Thunderace gearbox to admire it. Genius's work.

[@Philscbx]

Nicely Done - So many are totally confused how this works, crashing Gear Dogs hitting first gear with cold engine, and clutch pack cold is glued solid.

[@truittgaines4703]

Pretty good video with the exception that 1st gear on the input shaft is known as a fixed gear and rotates constantly with the shaft. And that some times the splined sliders are used in such a way that they become fixed gears themselves to complete the power flow. Also showing a power flow chart might have been useful.

[@jasonneal]

Well, that makes sense, now I know my output shaft is the one giving me problems, since it falls into neutral shifting into second and into fifth

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Beautifully animated and explained. I had a basic idea of how my transmission works, but this makes it very clear.

[@ruchits7394]

This is a lovely animation along with clear, crisp, lucid explanations! Beautiful! Thank you ❤❤

[@jonahschwenk3135]

This lady's voice put me to sleep faster than my math homework

[@Turtis]

any device that has a “shifter shaft” has my respect.

[@BertGrink]

And if your shifter shaft becomes worn out, you take the bike to a shaft shifter ;)

[@shngsam8777]

this is the best graphical explanation i have seen so far

[@PrendereCinque]

This is a perfectly sone video. There are explanations for every critical concept and they are presented in the right order, with overlaps where necessary. Truest exceptional!

[@kegonpegs2833]

I come to this video about once a month to remember the magic below my sketchy decisions

[@jamesslick4790]

👍😜👍

[@diwa393]

It would be great if you can make a video like this telling about CVT(Constantly Variable Transmission) and how do they work on moyorcycles and cars alike

[@ormand3000]

I can give you the answer: CVTs work like shit

[@addictedtoair1351]

Its just like changing your sprocket size, but automatically

[@yonmoore]

Something I've been trying to understand for years and years. Thank you!!

[@Facey1000]

Easily one of the most helpful videos in my recommended. Thanks

[@juuhelikkas151]

"Neutral only between first and second gears" My AM6 : hahaa gearbox go boom

[@Markus_included]

Yes, happens to me all the time

[@CptModi]

Ha, same. Didn't expect another Moped-guy here...

[@sanjipkarki4697]

Motorcycle is one of the best transport in all over country i loved it engine of motorcycle i had bazaz which was good but now i sold it

[@tomhoehler3284]

Excellent video! NOW I understand constant mesh motorcycle transmissions! Thank you!

[@jakelencher817]

ive torn bikes down but never really knew how the transmission works, you understand it alot better when you can visualize whats happening while youre shifting.

[@kevinghifari2330]

how in the world would you count all that dimensions on shapes and Angel soo precisely to move 3 guider pins?? mind blowing

[@kanishka.b8550]

Yeah thinking of these things give me anxiety.

[@sory4beinanonymous]

Engineering and ratios. Japanese precision 👌🏼

[@sinsilius]

Yeah, and these things were already there before 3D model drawings on computers and stuff! There were more sophisticated and accurate things tho

[@DFX2KX]

There are some very handy mathematical formulae that can be used. And a few assistive tools that existed before the advent of CAD/CAM software. The short answer is: It takes a long damn time to engineer something like this. And almost as long for the 'Syncromesh' system that's supplanted this (it works in the same way, except the gears in red don't actually slide either. They are locked/disengaged with a separate device called a synchronizer that the forks move, it shifts way smoother and wears much less) despite those being designed on a computer.

[@niilo2245]

Before this video I had my own crazy ideas, maybe you as well.

[@RUBBERNMETAL]

Thank you for the wonderful explanation and the bonus on the neutral and also hint on why we get false neutrals. Really helpful stuff!

[@Marksman2oo7]

Fascinating! I really enjoyed learning about the neutral position between first and second.

[@MrSuperrajab]

3:57 thats why there is that false neutral i get every now and then XD

[@TucsonDude]

Yep. Ya gotta COMMIT when shifting gears. My old ZX11 had a neutrals all over. My new BMWs have none apparent.

[@theodorsonfors1391]

Cool now could you do a video on those scooter "gearboxes" :)

[@Bassplayer2735]

You are talking about a CVT. They aren't gearboxes, because there are no gears.

[@jsjeheh]

@@Bassplayer2735 no bro they have gears you can google it

[@cookaboorra]

and what is not said, is very well understandable, as the fork moving the gears through the drum, and how the wholem mechanism is able to rotate at any time....BRAVISSIMO !

[@kommireddypavan]

I didn't learn anything except how they look and work this video is for engineering and tech students as a doctor who is a bike enthusiast, this flew over my head

[@Kuhtlass]

Some manual transmissions seem like someone took a file and went over the star for like 2 seconds expecting it to be the neutral valley (when shifting from first and second and also rocking the bike till it finally clicks into place).

[@HeyAddieImTojo]

Ascendant i have that problem on bmw f700gs 😂 coming to a stop, going from second to neutr- NOPE FIRST GEAR! Okay just geeeently touch the lever to get it into neutral. *touches it gently, nothing. Adds a tiny bit more force, nothing. Adds a tiny tiny bit more force, SECOND GEAR*. God damnit

[@stahlschorsch]

@@HeyAddieImTojo I had that same problem as well on my old bike. as long as it was still moving, it was at least possible to switch to neutral if I was very careful, but if I came to a complete stop and then tried to shift into neutral, it was close to impossible. Always shifted right into the next gear. Oddly enough, as soon as the engine was off, it wasn't a problem at all to find neutral position.

[@ilcontrabbandiere1797]

I’ll use this as an ASMR

[@user-fi4yd2kf6g]

Isn't this a miracle? And also, despite riding the bikes for last 20 years I just couldn't understand how a gearbox works. Now I am a bit smarter, thank you for this animation!

[@raseemriyas2889]

I've been trying to get the concept of neutral in a a car transmission but no animation specifically explains it, this finally made everything dock. Well made.

[@rickberry4477]

Nope still lost. 😂

[@lordbiznezz6225]

Same 😂

[@unsafe_at_any_speed]

Wait until you start counting teeth to calculate gear ratios

[@whereizzyat]

2:06 the gear is moved off its axis and its driving me crazy!!!

[@Confidential619]

Shit I should've never read this now it was bothering the shit out of me. Like hearing some scratch a chalk board.

[@thomasbarlow4223]

Right

[@universeandme8885]

But I don't care because the video is still so awesome for me.

[@SatishsrinivasanLp]

One of the besttt animations ever with so much detail. So many takeaways. Thanks 😊😊

[@siddeshwarprasad]

finally understood how bike gears work. thank you for the well made video