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Shifting into 1st

  • Thread starter Thread starter max
  • Start date Start date
M

max

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Hey all

Quick question: sometimes when I'm idling at a light or something in neutral, I'll find it hard to get into first. Sometimes it just clicks in as it should, other times I have to stomp down on the shifter, and on a few occations I have to start out in 2nd cause i can't even get it. Is this possibly a function of low gear oil (altho I try to keep up on my fluids)? Wearing gears?

Thanks guys

Max
 
max said:
Hey all

Quick question: sometimes when I'm idling at a light or something in neutral, I'll find it hard to get into first. Sometimes it just clicks in as it should, other times I have to stomp down on the shifter, and on a few occations I have to start out in 2nd cause i can't even get it. Is this possibly a function of low gear oil (altho I try to keep up on my fluids)? Wearing gears?

Thanks guys

Max
Click to expand...

You might need to adjust the clutch cable.
What kind of bike is it?
How many miles?
Have you checked the oil?
Do you have a service manual for the bike?
 
The clutch may not be disengaging fully. See clutch adjustment. You can test this by putting the bike in 1st, engine off, and trying to push it with the clutch pulled in. Compare the amount of force needed to push the bike with it in neutral. Pushing it with the clutch pulled in and in gear will take more force, because there is drag in even a properly adjusted clutch, but it shouldnt be too much harder.
 
Try putting it into 1st before you stop
roll it forward or backwards a little then try 1st.
time for an oil change?
clutch dragging?
 
I shift down through the gears for braking power. If I don't or stop in neutral I sometimes can't get it into first. But if I shift down and put it into first before stopping I've never had a problem.
 
chef1366 said:
I shift down through the gears for braking power. If I don't or stop in neutral I sometimes can't get it into first. But if I shift down and put it into first before stopping I've never had a problem.
Click to expand...
Same here. I've noticed if the idle speed is too high, it is harder to shift into first also
 
relic-rider said:
Same here. I've noticed if the idle speed is too high, it is harder to shift into first also
Click to expand...


That's usually an indication that your clutch is dragging, RR.

I am having the same problem intermittently with my GS400, when it gets hot. I find if I just let the clutch out bit, it will let me shift into 1st. Something is getting a little tight in there when it heats up. I hesitate to stomp on the shift lever to get it in, I don't like forcing things that aren't doing what they should, although I have tried it once or twice & it worked.

My guess is that the shift drum is a little sticky - but that's just a guess.
 
Thanks guys, I'll give that a shot. My clutch lever has been gettin a little sloppy, guess I should have put two and two together. Damn I need to pick up a repair book...
 
No!!

No!!

Whatever you do, don't "stomp on the shifter" or you'll end up with a problem far worse than the one you have now.
 
i don't mean to hijack this post, but a related question - is a clutch engagement near the end of travel of the lever (that is, clutch doesn't engage until lever mostly out) a symptom of needing a clutch adjustment - i have very similar issues getting into first.
 
maybe..

maybe..

there are two or three point that affect the clutch... two that adjust it straight out and the other on the push rod.

At each end of the cable there is an adjuster... the clutch handle is free play adjust and the one ontop of the rear motor casing adjusts the cable it self.. they work in tandem.

If you pull the free play and then adjust the motor side.. it will cused too much tension on the cable. The other is the clutch pivot poit that moves the rod in and oout to activate the clutch it is under the three screw cover and has a nut and screw on it.. ( part runs about $0 busck from suzuki).

This adjusts the force on the rod to push (engage ) the clutch. And it may need to be lubed.. I did mine with axle grease and push it in and around the pivot while activating the clutch with the lever. Also lube the cable to keep it from binding..

Hopes this helps.

JP
 
Just to add: Check your clutch cable at the lever. It could be fraying there. An OEM cable is less than $15 and could end up saving you a lot of needless adjustments, and, worse, having to try and ride home with a broken clutch cable.

Brad tt
 
I cannot get into 5th- any chance that the cable adjustments could be the issue here as well? Does anyone have any experience with shifting into 5th?
 
Uh oh Sounds like a buggered up tranny. No trouble with any other gears?
 
If all else fails-you may need new clutch plates. I have had the same type of problems with both a Ducati 916 and GS850 and both times the clutch had to be overhauled and then the shifting and finding neautral was as smooth as butter.
Cheers,
Mike:-|
 
Stomping on the shifter only has the effect of bending the shift fork. Press on the shifter and ease the clutch out a little if it won't engage it will clunk in. Like said check your clutch play. If you have fat foam grips on the bike you may not be able to pull the handle in far enough. Or you could develop the habit of going up to 2nd and then down to first. This is how I find neutral most often, but it works if 1st is finicky:cool:
 
max said:
Thanks guys, I'll give that a shot. My clutch lever has been gettin a little sloppy, guess I should have put two and two together. Damn I need to pick up a repair book...
Click to expand...


I wouldn't hesitate to get one of those. :) I got mine a week after I bought the bike, and I swear the thing has already paid for itself. ;)
 
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