Can't seem to shift - GS850GL

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  • jdion81
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    Can't seem to shift - GS850GL

    While trying to check the wiring to be sure everything was correct during the rebuild I lifted pulled the clutch and lifted the shift lever. The engine has not been started yet, and there is no fluid in the engine, no oil and no gear oil. When I pulled the shift lever it took more effort than normal (but not a lot) to get it to crunch/clunk into gear. I wanted to check the gear position indicator and tried to shift to another gear, but I cannot.

    Right now the Neutral light is lit on the dash and I cannot shift to another gear while pulling the clutch. Any ideas on what to check, or if not being able to shift without running and no fluids would cause me to not be able to shift?

    I thought maybe the clutch cable may need adjusted, I have over adjusted it to get more pull than needed to test that its the clutch not pulling enough. Still no change.
  • roeme
    Forum Sage
    Past Site Supporter
    • Jul 2015
    • 1206
    • Switzerland

    #2
    On a 550, there are three different points were the clutch actuation mechanism can be adjusted (both ends of the clutch cable and the worm drive in front of the pushrod), but I'm not sure about your model.

    The symptoms you describe are almost the same I encountered when the third adjustment screw rattled loose.
    #1: 1979 GS 550 EC "Red" – Very first Bike / Overhaul thread        New here? ☛ Read the Top 10 Newbie mistakes thread
    #2: 1978 GS 550 EC "Blue" – Can't make it a donor / "Rebuild" thread     Manuals (and much more): See Cliff's homepage here
    #3: 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 II Racer – One needs a runner while wrenching
    #4: 1980 Moto Guzzi V65C – Something to chill

    Comment

    • jdion81

      #3
      Are you saying there is a adjustment for the clutch inside the clutch cover?

      Comment

      • roeme
        Forum Sage
        Past Site Supporter
        • Jul 2015
        • 1206
        • Switzerland

        #4
        Originally posted by jdion81
        Are you saying there is a adjustment for the clutch inside the clutch cover?
        No, I'm saying there's one on the 550's. Stick your nose in the manual/parts drawing of your model, maybe there is one as well...or wait until someone of the old farts passes through
        #1: 1979 GS 550 EC "Red" – Very first Bike / Overhaul thread        New here? ☛ Read the Top 10 Newbie mistakes thread
        #2: 1978 GS 550 EC "Blue" – Can't make it a donor / "Rebuild" thread     Manuals (and much more): See Cliff's homepage here
        #3: 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 II Racer – One needs a runner while wrenching
        #4: 1980 Moto Guzzi V65C – Something to chill

        Comment

        • roeme
          Forum Sage
          Past Site Supporter
          • Jul 2015
          • 1206
          • Switzerland

          #5
          Originally posted by roeme
          No, I'm saying there's one on the 550's. Stick your nose in the manual/parts drawing of your model, maybe there is one as well...or wait until someone of the old farts passes through
          https://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oem...8b4e64c/clutch

          Part 28 on the clutch drawing. Surely you have tried to put the lever one notch further than it is currently...? (Or is that impossible?)

          Also, our Library seems to missing a 850 Service manual.
          #1: 1979 GS 550 EC "Red" – Very first Bike / Overhaul thread        New here? ☛ Read the Top 10 Newbie mistakes thread
          #2: 1978 GS 550 EC "Blue" – Can't make it a donor / "Rebuild" thread     Manuals (and much more): See Cliff's homepage here
          #3: 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 II Racer – One needs a runner while wrenching
          #4: 1980 Moto Guzzi V65C – Something to chill

          Comment

          • jsandidge
            Forum Sage
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jun 2013
            • 1482
            • Norfolk, Virginia

            #6
            Originally posted by roeme
            Also, our Library seems to missing a 850 Service manual.
            I almost missed that the other day too. It's actually on top of the block of all the other manuals.
            https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
            1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
            1981 HD XLH

            Drew's 850 L Restoration

            Drew's 83 750E Project

            Comment

            • jdion81

              #7
              I got the manual and all of the parts drawings. Unfortunately it wasn't a clutch adjustment issue, I found what it is. I think I have it resolved. It was this thing a jig:

              IMG_20180219_194917.jpg

              Comment

              • jdion81

                #8
                I got the manual and all of the parts drawings. Unfortunately it wasn't a clutch adjustment issue, I found what it is. I think I have it resolved. It was this thing a jig:

                IMG_20180219_194917.jpg

                When I had the clutch cover off, it slid out of alignment and was too far in the low position.

                Comment

                • jdion81

                  #9
                  I removed the gear shift lever and was able to slide the shaft towards the clutch side of the engine and realign the teeth on the gear shift piece that was pictured above. I'm able to shift easily from neutral to second gear, but it takes a little effort to get it in the first first gear. I have to slightly pull up on the lever and then quickly press it down to get it to shift to First. I'm not be able to get it to shift into 3rd or above.

                  Comment

                  • tom203
                    Forum Guru
                    Past Site Supporter
                    • Aug 2010
                    • 8925
                    • Norway,Maine

                    #10
                    I'd pull the clutch assembly off and look at how shift mechanism should be setup

                    image.jpg
                    1981 gs650L

                    "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                    Comment

                    • jdion81

                      #11
                      I just pulled the cover and using an inspection mirror found that I was off by one tooth on the gear shift lever where it meshes with the other gear that moves the pawls. I'm sorry I don't know what the part name is. I'm able to shift from 1st gear to neutral and then the second easily now but can't seem to go any higher than 2nd gear. I still have no fluid in the engine, do you think this could be causing my issue?

                      Comment

                      • 2BRacing
                        Forum Mentor
                        • Jan 2009
                        • 796
                        • Onrus, near Hermanus, South Africa

                        #12
                        Try moving the rear wheel back and forth a bit while trying to move the shifter into higher gears.
                        1981 GS850G "Blue Magic" (Bike Of The Month April 2009)

                        1981 GS1000G "Leo" (Bike Of The Month August 2023)

                        Comment

                        • jdion81

                          #13
                          Yep, wiggling the wheel allowed me to shift up and down. But now it seems the clutch isn't engaging. Turning the wheel while the bike is in gear turns the engine. I need to figure that out, hopefully just an issue of adjusting the clutch.

                          Comment

                          • tom203
                            Forum Guru
                            Past Site Supporter
                            • Aug 2010
                            • 8925
                            • Norway,Maine

                            #14
                            "But now it seems the clutch isn't engaging"

                            Assuming you meant disengaging... the clutch will still have lots of drag ,especially when it's cold and unlubricated. So,yes, cable probably just needs adjustment
                            1981 gs650L

                            "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                            Comment

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