Making It Easier To Select Neutral

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanks! (for giving me another chore.)

Looks like on the 550 you gotta take the carbs out first.
Oh, it's always fun to pull the carbs on a 550…

Still, after putting heavy clutch springs in my 1100G, it's even tougher to get the shifter to stop at N.

This may work, and I think there was a post about this last summer.
The more I read about it, the better the chance I'll remember.

Thanks.

[old_skool]

Spings steel in any configuration, over time, can and will take a "set". One possible mod would to maybe add a steel disc spacer or washer atop the spring between the plug nut?? Yes???

Actually with a bike that already has the heavier spring, might just be weakened over the years as you said "set", just replacing with a new stock spring will probably do the trick.

[Monty]

Looks like on the 550 you gotta take the carbs out first.
Oh, it's always fun to pull the carbs on a 550…

Still, after putting heavy clutch springs in my 1100G, it's even tougher to get the shifter to stop at N.

This may work, and I think there was a post about this last summer.
The more I read about it, the better the chance I'll remember.

Thanks.

Damn! I just had my carbs out by a mechanic. I wish I saw this before so I could have replaced it at the same time.
I can rarely get N with my bike running. It does seem to get easier as it gets warmer out(As does a lot of things with my bike. )

[old_skool]

Looks like on the 550 you gotta take the carbs out first.
Oh, it's always fun to pull the carbs on a 550…

Still, after putting heavy clutch springs in my 1100G, it's even tougher to get the shifter to stop at N.

This may work, and I think there was a post about this last summer.
The more I read about it, the better the chance I'll remember.

Thanks.

I just ordered heavier springs also, but I'm only going to replace 3, kinda doing my own spring tension adjustment without using all 6 HD springs and having to gorilla squeeze.

[Suzuki_Don]

Don, what's your long-term impression of the spring mod? I'm tempted to try it on my '79 GS550E.

I am continuing to find it easy to select neutral without any problems. The rest of your clutch items must be in good nick and be adjusted correctly. If clutch plates are buckled or warped in any way you will not find neutral because of the clutch drag. First job is to make sure all clutch items are in 1st class condition.

Don't forget to use standard Suzuki clutch springs in your motor, there is no requirements for heavier springs. My 550 puts out around 80hp compared to the 49 that is standard on a 550 and I have no clutch slip with standard springs. The springs on my '77 550 were also used on the GS750 so no requirement for heavier springs.

[AJ]

Just for completeness....

Many times a simple CLUTCH adjustment is all it takes to fix the finding neutral problem. Even the slightest drag on the clutch will make it hard to shift that transmission. If your bike lurches a little when you shift into first from neutral, you need to adjust the clutch.

[keman]

what about adding a spacer and using the existing spring?

[Dogma]

On my 850 it was impossible to get neutral with the bike stopped and engine running. Until I finally put new clutch plates in (clutch springs didn't fix the slipping this time).

I'm thinking the problem with getting to neutral is not this spring, but a dragging clutch due to warps, tired springs, too much oil in the clutch, etc. This spring is the only thing that finds neutral and keeps it for you. It drives the detent that gives you the very slight bump (with the engine off) in the shifter between 1st and 2nd letting you know you're in neutral. Weakening that spring will only make it easier to miss neutral and accidentally select a gear.

[JimmyR]

I discovered while riding my Harley that if I was stopped at a light I could only find neutral if I revved the engine a little. If I just let the engine idle it was impossible to find neutral. Well when I started riding my GS1100G I found the same thing. Engine off neutral easy to find, running a bit trickier. So If I'm stopped and want to find neutral I rev the engine just a little and it is far easier to find neutral. The weird thing is that if the bike is just barely moving neutral is easy to find.

I think all bikes could learn from Kawasaki. They have a really easy neutral. No idea what they do but it is ridiculously easy.

[GS1000G Shopper]

Info courtesy of Powersports Plus

1980 GS1000G PN 09440-06018
1981 GS1000G PN 09440-06018
1982-83 GS1100G, GL PN 09440-06020

Did not see any listings for the GK, I suspect it is the 06020 part. They sell it for 85 cents, and don't gouge shipping for small purchases.

This Suzuki 09440-06020 SPRING GR SHIFT is also used on these models and components:
2000 LT-A500F CRANK BALANCER

2001 LT-A500F CRANK BALANCER

1980 GS1000GL GEAR SHIFTING

1980 GS850G GEAR SHIFTING

1980 GS850GL GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS1000GL GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS450T GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS450TX GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS550T GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS650E GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS650G GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS650GL GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS850G GEAR SHIFTING

1981 GS850GL GEAR SHIFTING

1981 RM465 GEAR SHIFTING (MODEL Z)

1982 GS1000S GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS1100E GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS1100ES GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS1100G GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS1100GL GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS450T GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS450TX GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS550M GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS650E GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS650G GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS650GL GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS750E GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS750T GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS850G GEAR SHIFTING

1982 GS850GL GEAR SHIFTING

1982 RM250 GEAR SHIFTING (MODEL Z)

1982 RM465 GEAR SHIFTING (MODEL Z)

1983 GS1100E GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS1100ES GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS1100G GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS1100GL GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS1100S GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS450E GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS450L GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS450TX GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS650G GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS650GL GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS650M GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS750S GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS750T GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS850G GEAR SHIFTING

1983 GS850GL GEAR SHIFTING

1983 RM250 GEAR SHIFTING (MODEL Z)

1983 XN85-D GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150EF GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150EF2 GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150EG GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150ES3 GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150ESE GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150ESF GEAR SHIFTING

1984 GS1150ESG GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150EF GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150EF2 GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150EG GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150ES3 GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150ESE GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150ESF GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS1150ESG GEAR SHIFTING

1985 GS450L GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150EF GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150EF2 GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150EG GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150ES3 GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150ESE GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150ESF GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS1150ESG GEAR SHIFTING

1986 GS450L GEAR SHIFTING

1987 GS450L GEAR SHIFTING

1988 GS450L GEAR SHIFTING

1989 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1990 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1991 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1992 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1993 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1994 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1995 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1996 GS500ET GEAR SHIFTING

1997 GS500E GEAR SHIFTING

1998 GS500E GEAR SHIFTING

1999 GS500E GEAR SHIFTING

2000 GS500E GEAR SHIFTING

2001 GS500 GEAR SHIFTING

2002 GS500 GEAR SHIFTING

2004 GS500F GEAR SHIFTING

2005 GS500F GEAR SHIFTING

2006 GS500F GEAR SHIFTING

2007 GS500F GEAR SHIFTING

2008 GS500F GEAR SHIFTING

2009 GS500F GEAR SHIFTING

[littleroot]

On my 1982 1100GL rolling about an inch backwards while lifting from first usually does it. While rolling to a stop if I drop from 2nd to N is the easiest on this one and the 1980 1100E

[chuck hahn]

You can get a stiffer spring at any hardware..take the original with you to match diameter and slightly longer length and youll be good to go. May cost you 35 cents versus 5 bucks from Suzuki....with the shipping added in.

[barnbiketom]

So, how would one go about measuring the general spring rate of an item that small - you know, so they could order a stronger one for their ... oh to just pick a model at random - 1986 Suzuki GS 1150 E (in red)?

Bathroom scales or other smaller scales can check spring rate.

For example, using a measuring stick.. place the spring on the scales and take an initial height measurement, then press down one inch( or any convenient distance). look at the scales reading in pounds or ounces.

this gives pound per inch or ounces per 1/4 inch or whatever...

Try another spring of the same internal and external dimensions to find a stiffer one!!

a much smaller scale will be needed , but this is how I used to dial in rear shock springs of unknown manufacture like when i changed stuff around!

[UncleMike]

Bathroom scales or other smaller scales can check spring rate.

For example, using a measuring stick.. place the spring on the scales and take an initial height measurement, then press down one inch( or any convenient distance). look at the scales reading in pounds or ounces.

this gives pound per inch or ounces per 1/4 inch or whatever...

Try another spring of the same internal and external dimensions to find a stiffer one!!

a much smaller scale will be needed , but this is how I used to dial in rear shock springs of unknown manufacture like when i changed stuff around!

Sometimes I'm really embarrassed that I don't think of something sooner. Elegant solution, well done!

[Gooner]

Sorry for resurrecting an old post but I have just been out for a ride (GS1000g) and experienced great difficulty in selecting neutral with the bike running, turn off and it pops straight into place.
On Dons post no.7 he shows a photo of the plungers position on his bike, well I have looked underneath mine and cannot see a similar housing, anybody able to tell me where it is?
Many thanks in advance.