Am I losing second gear?

I have searched the forums and can't find anything on this, so if this is a repeat, I apologize.

When I accelerate hard in second gear, the bike slips. By slipping its almost like running over gravel or something. I lose power for a second then it comes on again with a little *squeak* from the rear tire. It can be described as grabbing the clutch and dumping it while accelerating. It only happens at medium to hard acceleration. If I take it easy in 2nd, I am fine. It only happens in 2nd. If I hit it hard in first or third, its solid all the way.

I want to think its the clutch because:
a) There is no "grinding" sound
b) I want to keep this motorcycle

but:
a) I just replaced the clutch and springs 2000mi ago (yes, with correct torque)
b) It only happens in second.

After the years of wrenching on this bike I want to keep it. It is an incredible value for the dollar put in it, but I am not willing to replace 2nd gear. This may be the end, please someone tell me it isn't.

Thanks.

 

What did you put in there for oil?

You may have the clutch adjusted too tight.

 

gears don't slip, their big solid steel, and make real bad noises if they do
clutches slip, mine does the same thing if i smack third real hard
i'am thinken clutch springs or the oil, you said you did springs, so oil maybe
i got shell rotella and castrol gtx in the garage but can't remember whats in the yamaha
maybe i'll try some wally world recycled crap
but a chirp in second, how cool is that, leave it alone

 

If its slipping ... it can only get worse.

Take some tension off the Cable bu loosening the Knurl up on the Clutch Lever Perch. Get a couple of mm's of slack.

If your Clutch Lever is already got a mm or two of free play ... you might have the wrong springs. Don't go-in and tighten them if you did them right putting the clutches in last time.

Don't risk breaking one off.
That would be MOST unpleasant!

 

I use only Castrol GTX 20w50 in my motorcycles.

The clutch lever has play. I just replaced the cable so it has been adjusted correctly. I did torque the springs to the spec in my Haynes, so maybe I recieved the wrong springs. They are ebc springs and are supposed to be 150% stiffer than stock, they seems stiffer when i installed them 2000mi ago.

Perhaps I will remove the steel clutch plates and resurface them with some sand paper? Maybe my steel plates are out of spec, I didnt check too throughly...

If this is indeed the clutch as you say, I am a happy man who will replace whatever needs to be replaced.

Thanks for your input.

 

I've had the clutch adjusted too tight, as Rick says, and had a similar experience to what your having. It only slipped when there was enough torque. May not be slipping in first, cuz you're shifting too early to get the torque.

Hopefully it's just that.

 

As Polock stated, gears don't slip. However, shift forks do. A very common XJ problem is worn shift forks and jumping out of 2nd gear is a classic symptom. I really hope I'm wrong but it's something you should be aware of.

Greg

 

Thanks Greg.
I am hoping for the clutch too., but I didn't consider that.

 

Castrol GTX 20W50. What formulation? If it is regular automotive oil, that could be part of the problem as regular automotive oil will cause the clutch to slip. Also make sure you double check the adjustment as Rick stated.

 

If it jumped out of gear ... you don't chirp and keep going.