Lost Gears

Hi Guys
I can select 1st gear & neutral but not any other gears. Clutch is fine.
8O
I've look on the form but cant find any suggestions on the problem.
Any Suggestions..... :?
Cheers Andrew

 

I really don't know a whole lot about MC cogs, but it seems you have some issue with the parts that rotate the selector drum when you lift up on the shifter or something...you'll probably just have to pull the cover and see what's happening (or not happening) or broken. Maybe you get lucky and you just popped a clip or something.

Someone here can tell you more, I'm sure.

 

Have you taken the shifter cover off to inspect the springs and linkage? The shifter return spring sometimes brakes and causes similar problems.

 

Ta mlew
was just getting to this , I pulled some covers off an old motor to night to get an over view & thought that spring was a possible cause, will takle my bike on the weekend
Cheers Andrew

 

I took the cover off on the gear shift lever side & found nothing broken they just seemed all stuck. I was able to free them up & it worked ok again but the spring tensions seemed a bit soft compared to the XJ900 motor I had on the bench. So I swaped over the spring & linkages & its all working well , seems a bit more positive in the gear changes now .

8) So we are back on the road now enjoyiny the Aussie sunshine

 

You may have just uncovered your ticking time bomb and don't realize it.

It's not uncommon for the "primary" (jackshaft) chain guide to begin to break up and chunks of it can become lodged in the shift drum or get tangled up with the shifter forks.

It is possible on occasion to "fish" out a jammed bit through the opening on the shifter side; sometimes just whammer-jammering around on the shift mech will knock it loose.

I recommend you change your oil and watch for broken hunks of black plastic; if you find any at least you'll know what's happening. The repair (replacing the chain guide) requires splitting the cases.

 

:? Bit confused..... is this the chain /guide that comes off the starter motor setup. Been looking at my microfich ??

Thanks for the guidance fitz its much appreciated
Cheers Andrew

 

Yes it is. I've had to perform the repair myself after a 2 mile ride home in 1st gear.

 

Yep. On the big bikes, that chain isn't actually a "primary chain" (although called that) because it doesn't provide the primary drive. It only runs the jackshaft which is connected to the starter and alternator.

As such, it apparently only deserved a large, fixed chain guide, made with a "segmented shape." (The pic in your fiche.) Those segments are what "chunk off." WHY this only happens to some bikes and not others, even high-mileage units, is beyond me.

In the smaller, chain drive XJ motors (400/500/550/600) it is a true primary chain as the jackshaft also drives the clutch. Those motors have an hydraulically-operated chain guide/tensioner, activated by engine oil pressure; the chain guide doesn't have the same potential issue.

Sorry if my terminology caused any confusion. Hopefully it's not your problem but you need to be aware of the possibility. Like I said, check the oil for chunks of broken plastic.

 

Its all good mate ... :? The queens english is confuseing at the best of times.
I only just recently did an oil change so I can drain this freash oil & check , shouldnt be to hard to see black plastic as the oil hasnt discoloured too much yet.

Cheers Andrew

 

Did a complete oil change on the weekend & didnt find any signs of plastic bits. I filtered the oil through a fine mesh filter & nothing showed up.
So heres hopeing it was just a sloppy worn linkage.

 

If so, you have dodged a bullet mate. Hope you don't have to pull the motor and split the cases. Did that, did a bad re-assembly (three times) and still exploded the bottom end. Followed that with a salvaged motor and after 3,000km and several hundred loonies she's finally ticking along. Hope your chain guide lasts forever!