Cannot get first gear from neutral

[littleroot]

Maybe a coincidence but ever since I replaced the starter clutch I am having trouble getting first gear from neutral after I pull up to a light. In fact it is impossible unless the bike is moving. I remember when I was about to start the starter clutch project someone asked if I had this trouble and the answer at the time - was "no".

So any ideas what I should check?

Thanks!

[Nessism]

You might want to try reducing the amount of freeplay in the clutch cable and see if that helps.

[Big T]

You don't have an aftermarket clutch pack and/or springs, do you?

My Barnett needs to warm up before you can (skillfully) slip it into neutral

[Guest]

I click into first with the clutch pulled while coming to a stop and then click into neutral.
Don't bang on it you will bend the shifter forks. Rock the bike back and forth and it should slip into 1st.
You really should stop in 1st anyway. That way you can get the hell out of the way if something happens.

[blowerbike]

my GS450 automatic goes into 1st fine

[Guest]

my GS450 automatic goes into 1st fine

Be quiet!

[Guest]

my GS450 automatic goes into 1st fine

Lolz....yes, it would!
Littleroot, adjust your clutch exactly as per the Suzuki manual & try again.
Tony.

[blowerbike]

is it mechanical binding or lack of clutch slip?
the linkage on 82-82 1100E's get sloppy and if not adjusted to compensate for the slop.... the shifter/linkage will bottom out when attempting to go into 1st gear.
my GS450 auto has NOS and is faster than chef bill's nitro powered "L" model!

[Guest]

is it mechanical binding or lack of clutch slip?
the linkage on 82-82 1100E's get sloppy and if not adjusted to compensate for the slop.... the shifter/linkage will bottom out when attempting to go into 1st gear.
my GS450 auto has NOS and is faster than chef bill's nitro powered "L" model!

It would be.

[Guest]

my GS450 auto has NOS and is faster than chef bill's nitro powered "L" model!

It would be.

The Chef's creation was tasty, but turned out a little too "well done".
Tony.

[bonanzadave]

linkage on 82-82 1100E's get sloppy and if not adjusted to compensate for the slop.... the shifter/linkage will bottom out when attempting to go into 1st gear.

Thats where mine was. Actually it was the pivot shaft for the linkage that was corroded and binding. That shaft has to have some lube. Littleroot has an L. No linkage.

[blowerbike]

Thats where mine was. Actually it was the pivot shaft for the linkage that was corroded and binding. That shaft has to have some lube. Littleroot has an L. No linkage.

i could have sworn he was working on an 82E model earlier as far as the starter clutch...seems he had RS miks on it also and even posted a picture or 2.
maybe i have him confused with someone else
littleroot am i smokin some bad stuff or what????

[Guest]

i could have sworn he was working on an 82E model earlier as far as the starter clutch...seems he had RS miks on it also and even posted a picture or 2.
maybe i have him confused with someone else
littleroot am i smokin some bad stuff or what????

Probably..............

[littleroot]

Yep, it is a Barnett clutch the PO put in. But he later removed the Barnett springs as he said they were too hard to pull.

I had not thought about this but yes the clutch cable probably needs adjusting anyway as it is 1) harder to start in first with clutch pulled in and 2) much harder to push the bike with in first gear with clutch lever pulled (most people here say that is normal.

The good news is it has forced me to get into 1st gear every time I stop which is the right thing to do!

Thanks for the tip.
-Bob

You don't have an aftermarket clutch pack and/or springs, do you?

My Barnett needs to warm up before you can (skillfully) slip it into neutral

[Larry D]

Find a stock clutch pack and replace it. I bet a dollar to a doughnut it will solve your problem. Is it easier to get into gear after the bike is warmed up ?