shifting issues

I have an 81 xj550 maxim, I got my leaking fuel issue resolved and took my bike for a ride today. I then realized i was having a problem shifting between first and second. If I'm in first i can get to neutral but not second, then when I'm finally able to get to second I can't get back to first. Once in second I have no problem going up to third and fourth, just having trouble between first and second. Does anyone have any ideas to what my problem could be.

 

Bent shift forks, or bad dogs :/ i hope i'm wrong

 

You've got trouble's.
We don't really know how bad.

The way you explain it leads most people to believe you have a Bent Fork?
The Forks move the gears as the Shift Drum Rotates.

The SAME Symptoms occur when the Shift Drum doesn't rotate.
What would cause the Shift Drum to fail to rotate?

A little devil called: Torsion Spring.
It's located on the Shift Mechanism ... behind the Shift Cover.
It's responsible for the Shifter accurately engaging the Dogs on the Drum.

Its Part Number-3 in the Schematic.

Yam Pt. No. - 90508-29533-00

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/parts/home.aspx

 

O man I sure do hope you guys are wrong, I can't help but think the guy i bought it off of kept telling to change the gear oil. hmmmm

 

how do i troubleshoot to determine if that is my problem

 

I think you troubleshoot with a flashlight and the side cover removed :roll:

 

Put it on the Center Stand.
Make sure the Rear Wheel has floor clearance.
Check Shift Lever. Tight? Positioned at angle to complete shift movement?
Shift lever is firmly attached to Shift Rod?

Shift into Neutral.
Check for Neutral. Spin wheel. Ck. Light.

Start. Idle
Clutch.
Shift into First. Release clutch. Listen for Tranny noises.

Clutch.
Shift into second.
What happens?
Bike is in second?

Clutch.
Shift into third.
What happens?
Bike is in third.

Repeat for Fourth and Fifth.

Clutch. Downshift to Neutral.
Shift to Second.
What happens.

Test shifting into 3, 2 , N, 1 ... 1, 2, 3 ... 3, 2, N
What happens.

 

ok I was checking it out today and even had it out, It was shifting but hard and i realized that my clutch was completely out before it started to engage. I made a slight adjustment and it seemed to be shifting smoother then after a lil while, When i shifted it seemed as if it was not engaging because i would give some throttle and it would just rev and barely moved. I'm thinking i have an issue with the clutch. Does that sound like a possibility

 

There's a Clutch Adjustment Thread in my Signature.

It's almost the same for your Bike.
Adjust the Clutch and try again.

Clutch Trouble would be an easy fix.

 

Two things:

You are on the right track in regard to clutch adjustment, start there.

This is a 550. If the shifter tension spring or the shift pawl springs need attention, they're behind the clutch on the right side of the bike.

OK, three things-- "fuel leaking issue?" Change your oil. Do THAT first.

 

Leaking fuel issued has been resolved i cleaned the carbs and changed the oil and filter, all is well there. I made another adjustment last night on the clutch and the accleration was fine although it still shifter a bit hard and the bike was bucking a bit when i stopped. I could be wrong but it appears as if my clutch cable is a bit long, is it a possibiliy for them to get worn out and stretched over a long period of time.

 

It is, and they can start to get "springy" indicating one or more strands may be broken internally.

The cable is adjustable at both the perch and the transmission, you can take some slack out at the bottom if you are running out at the top.

It would really help if you would put your bike info in your sig it makes this much easier. How many miles on the bike?

 

Updated sig

I actually had too much slack up at the handle and tried to take some of that down below but when i did that the clutch wouldn't even pull out. So i had to really tighten it down below leading me and several friends who looked at it also to believe that the clutch is beat. So i think i may just replace the clutch and see how that works

 

My 750 is kinda tricky too, it seems that the the angle between the shift lever bell-crank I use with my toe and the corresponding gearshift input shaft has something to do with it. I find that that the turn buckle that goes from one to the other works best as horizontal as I can get it with the little ball joints it attaches to both in the 12 o'clock position, it even shifts smoother 1-2 with an off throttle speed shift than it does by using the clutch?
This presents a problem mainly because its difficult to get my size 14 rebock and arthritic ankle to shift in that position, its too close to the peg and feels almost like a non synchro first gear going from n-1.
I've read about it many times and I think it's a common spook among our xjs.
It's like an old girlfriend and loves to be banged but gentle finesse is just not her style.