Finding neutral

Sounds like a dragging clutch. Check for correct clutch adjustment in the usual way and if neutral still difficult to select I'd suggest dismantling clutch , cleaning plates thoroughly ,then refilling primary chaincase with20/50 oil. This has always worked for me.

James advice sounds good.

Howd you get on checking your clutch out?

Though to post back as recently I had problems with mine. No drag as such but finding Neutral (esp when hot) was like calling Elvis.

I also had a super heavy clutch since I bought the bike, no broken cables but a 30min ride would kill the left hand with new cables routed correctly.

So I cleaned the clutch plates up, put in a 2mm spacer plate and filled up with ATF fluid.

Now ive no noise on gear engagement, a 3 finger easy feeling clutch, and she just pops into Neutral no probs. Feels like a different bike altogether!

Clutch drag will indeed cause this but the Mk3 has an extra pitfall in the form of a neutral indicator switch which consists of a brass body with plunger which screws into the front face of the box and is operated by a domed stud mounted on the inner face of the cam plate.

The switch has to be screwed into the box until it just operates and the lock nut then tightened. Any further and it will act as a sort of counter-detent precisely at the neutral position. It will create stiffness as the cam plate approaches neutral resulting in higher pressure and then as it goes over centre, it will suddenly free off.

This can be adjusted in-situ but it's a bit of a fiddle with the cross over shaft in the way.

My 99 has a neutral indicator, when I release the clutch and the bike does not lurch forward it indicates to me that neutral is still in there. Somewhere.