Stiff Shift lever

Hi,
1982 Seca 550,
23,000 Km

I adjusted my chain about 3 weeks ago, took it for a short run (30 min) and then let it sit for 3 weeks whilst riding my other bike.

Changed the oil and drove it to work a coup;le of days ago and noticed that the shifter was stiffer then I'd remembered.
I examined the chain and discovered that it was too tight.. so I backed it off some by loosening the shaft bolt and resetting the side balance bolts.

Shifting still seems stiff!
What have I done and what can I check?

This winter should see new front springs, fluid and seals, rear brakes and now this!
But I want to keep her ... She's been good to me!

Thanks

 

Trying this.
http://www.xjcd.org/emergency_guidectomy

 

If you are inside or at least at home, you can flip the bike upside down, take off the oil pan and fish out the pieces of shift guide with foreceps. You may require 3 friends to flip the bike upside down.

 

You can also get one of those LED cameras on a flexible hose that will fit through the small hole to have a look around.

 

if you are convinced that your primary chain guide has failed you are going to want to replace it. any chance you have the drained oil? pour it through a screen and see if you have any bits and pieces in the oil.
I do this every time i change my oil just to see if things are falling apart.

chain deflection should be about 35 to 40 mm (1.4 to 1.6 inches )when adjusting chain

 

may want to drain oil first

 

Last time I mentioned doing this, I was informed that procedure is for the 650-on-up, not the 550 ...... Just fyi

 

Acknowledged.I did not know that. The 1100 being over 600 pounds, I would not try to flip it over anyway.

 

Is the shifter stiff, but still getting into gears, or is something stopping it from getting into gear? We're jumping right to primary chain guide failure, when it could be something as simple as a misaligned shift lever. Make sure everything is adjusted properly before you decide to dive deeper! Guide replacement is one of the biggest jobs on an xj. Eliminate all options in advance!

 

and if it is the guide you NEED to replace it or you will destroy the oil nozzle which is a costly part if you continue to ride.
the fix you mention is just to get you home

 

I don't own a 550, but I found this from bigfitz52 in this post:

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/metal-in-oil-and-mystery-noises.47928/#post-426752

"Let's clear a couple of things up:

The chain guide breaking up thing you read about is only on the shaft-driven bikes. Their "primary chain" really isn't (it only drives the jackshaft that has the alternator and starter on it) and it has a fixed plastic guide that disintegrates. Not so in the 550s (and 600s.) Our primary chain is a true primary chain, it's the primary drive from the crank to the trans. As such, it's tensioned by an hydraulically operated (oil pressure) tensioner that is NOT prone to breaking up."

I know I have read this several places, maybe always by bigfitz52 as I remember thinking - wow, wish I had a 550 so I didn't have to concern myself about the guide breaking.

I get a bit confused by this if I look at the parts diagram for a 550, as it looks very similar to the 650/750 when looking at the starter clutch parts diagram??

Matti asked some good questions and answering those will help. Maybe someone else on here can say they actually had a 550 chain guide break up.

 

Whoa... Thanks all.
So the Seca550 won't have the guide! Good.

Shifting is just stiff.
I can feel it bending the toe of my boot. Poor toes!
It seems to go into gear OK and doesn't slip. Pulls fine.
Better if I am really deliberate with clutch engage|shift|clutch disengage.

I will examine both the shift lever and the clutch lever positions.

Less stiff when the bike is not running and I noticed a squeak pushing the bike whilst in 2nd gear (clutch in).
hmmm...
I just thought... I added 2.3 qts but didn't change the filter... so probably a little too much oil in there.

 

The primary chain guide is hydraulicaly adjusted, but it also has a plastic component. At the time Fitz wrote that he was correct that the 550 guide is not prone to breaking up, however that was several years ago. Age does embrittle plastics, and any plastic part under constant load can potentially break.

Other things to check:

Clutch adjustment. If the clutch is not fully disengaging it will be more difficult to shift.

Bent shift lever shaft, which can cause binding in the case.

Basicly inspect all the moving parts of the shift mechanisim and look for anything that is bent/broken.

 

I believe the shifter is a little wonky if the oil level is too high.
I'm not sure what the theory would be behind my ideas, but that is my opinion, perhaps motor oil spooling around thetransmission shafts an gears?
In my experience could be the culprit.
Alan

 

I have a guide for a 550 in a box of spare parts and a shift lever shaft
this link shows the parts
http://www.yamahapartsnation.com/oemparts/a/yam/50042361f8700209bc7879ef/transmission-xj550h-j-k

 

Thanks,
Nothing looks bent/broken and cable tension seems good.
Barely "loose" at the clutch lever on the block when released.

 

That's a lot of pieces.
I'd probably take that it to my most excellent repair dude if something was needed in there.
I'm a bit to rough!

 

is it possible your shifter seal is causing the problem?

 

Thanks all... good questions to follow-up

Bike is in the Mom's garage for the winter...
Hoping to do some work on front springs/shocks and hopefully some engine bits.
Will post if/when I get at it...

Winter is long and dark on the island!

 

Cool...
Thnks