Won't go into second gear

As in my introduction, I have just purchased an xj750 (1983). It passed the safety with flying colours and runs pretty good. When I was finally able to drive her home, I couldn't get it in to second gear.

I know the previous owner used a mixed synthetic oil and I have read and been told that using the wrong oil could cause the clutch to slip.

I am about to do an oil change for winter storage, but was wondering if this problem could be caused by the oil.

Thanks,

Ron

 

no the wrong oil prob wont effect your gears. but it can effect the clutch if the clutch works and it wont shift into 2nd that sounds like a transmission problem

 

Our beloved XJs have a common problem with a common symptom (can't get it into second gear).
The starter clutch chain guide dries out for some strange reason, cracks and rains plastic chunks down on the transmission, locking up gears. If you drain the oil and pull the sump you will probably find black chunks floating around in there. $25 part, quite a few hours of teeth nashing and hair pulling to pull the engine, split the case, pick out the pieces and replace the guide.
Sorry. There are a few folks here who have pulled their alternator out and fished the parts out the hard way successfully, but this leaves the chain sloppy and I don't recommend it.

 

yep, I have to fully agree. It happened to me. The bike ran great and it happened so fast. I wouldn't blame the previous owner necessarily. There is no way of knowing when it will happen or if it will happen. Keep in mind, its about a 10 hour job to tear down, and put back together.

 

Thanks all for the information. I got the bike at a decent price knowing I would have to do some work. Looks like I'll have a big job in the spring.

To prepare for winter, would it be all right to only change the oil and leave the filter until I tend to this problem in the springtime ?

Thanks again,

Ron

 

I had always wanted to do a very well produced Video on taking-down an XJ-Engine and putting the plant all-together, again.

That project was largely why I got this iMac Computer and the Software to do such a project.

Since my physical health deteriorated, I'm limoted to how much of it I could actually do.
Now, I have to find some volunteers to do the work and let me take care of the Videotaping and producing the DVD.

With there being so many who might need Starter Clutches and Internal Chain Guides replaces; it might be an ambitious project to consider bring to fruition.

 

Oil filters are so cheap, I'd replace it now and then go ahead and re-use it in the spring.

There is another possibility for the shifting problem: a broken shift pawl return spring in the shift mechanism "mousetrap" will keep the bike from shifting 'up' (or down, depending on what breaks.) This has been known to happen (although, unfortunately, so has the other issue.)

Before you assume the worst, pop the shifter cover and check the shift mechanism out.

 

If it is a chunk of the chain guide causing your issues, it may change. When it happened to me I couldn't get neutral, then I couldn't get 2.. at that point I called a friend with a truck. If its a spring, I don't think it will change.

 

The problem with "Won't-go-into-Gear" issues is: ...
It starts-out being one thing, ... then spreads-out to involve others.
It won't go into gear.
Something's preventing movement ... ???

Frustration graduates into anger.
The Shift Lever gets STOMPED On
The Lever Splines get partially stripped.
The Drum doesn't move.
A Dog gets broken-off the Drum, ... (or)
The Drum moves but the Gears don't.
A Shift Fork gets bent.

And, on and on it goes.

Before you get angry and make a bad situation worse; there are things to do and try before it gets out of hand.

You can run a camera inside there and have a look around.
Beats having to do a tear-down, just to find-out, like back-in-the-day.

 

I am moving at the end of the month, so I will only be changing the oil and preparing it for winter after I move. I won't be able to address the issue until the spring.

I tried to switch gears by rotating the wheel back and forth to no avail. I should clarify that not only will it not go into second, it will not go up at all. I can press it down for first even without the clutch, but it will not go into 2nd - 5th gears at all.

 

Good luck with the move and start saving up for parts. You should be able to squeeze this one out for around $60 including guide, o-rings, seals, oil and filter

 

Tan you can pull the shifter cover off and look through a little hole into the shifter drum area of the block look inside and you can probably see what has fallen down and fish it out I have done this before BUT I would not ride it too much untill it is fixed properly as you never know when more of it will come apart and do it again or worse. Good luck

 

There are some are creative approaches to have "Major" Engine work done.

Finding someone with the ability and willing to help you is one.
You need to prepare the job done.

You need a complete set of instructions.
A Workshop Manual or the printed pages of such a Manual in a bindner.
Parts and Gaskets ready to go.
Space.

Place an ad in the Classifieds, Craigs List, stick-up a flier at Technical Schools and some "Hand-outs" for the guy who drives the Area Mobile Canteen.

Trade your skills for that of a Small Engine Mechanic needing to have doene what you specialize in.

Good luck.

 

Robert tells me that for the chain guide, rather than breaking down the entire powerplant, one can pull the engine, flip it over, yank the lower half of the crankcase and go to town. (Have not tried this myself, so YMMV.)

 

++^^ Yup.

 

Bigfitz knows his stuff. It really sounds like the shifter return spring. Try moving the shifter to the centre of the shift stroke manually after selecting first gear. This will do what the spring should do. Then try to go to second. If it works, it's the spring. Had the same symptom and a spring was all that was needed