XJ700 Slipping in 2nd under power

I am just wondering if there is a simple inspection that I can do or try to see if it is something more simple than cracking the case open. Is there any little tricks to try?? the bike was sitting for a while and the trans just might be sticking. I've already sunk alot of time and money to get this thing running and on the road and I would hate to have to pour more money into it, especially since I'm not going to do a rebuild until the winter....

 

You're probably not going to like this:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... issue.html

 

Yup you will need to get a new 2nd gear setup. I went through the same deal. Will require removing the engine and splitting the cases.

 

What do you mean by slipping? Is it jumping out of gear or is the engine revving up but the bike is not pulling or?

 

Ya I was afraid of that, well it looks like it is just going to be another unfinished project for no because I have given it all the time that I could spare and buying a complete motor doesn't seem that easy. I'm gonna just overhaul the entire motor in the winter, til then I am gonna have to find another bike to ride.

Any idea on how long overhauling the motor might take??? Or is it in my best interests to just get a complete motor for now...?

 

That was my question too. If it's not JUMPING OUT of gear (into "neutral") but actually slipping (as in the motor revs up but the bike doesn't leap forward corresponding to the revs) then it's the clutch, not the transmission.

SLIPPING= clutch.

JUMPING OUT of gear= transmission.

So what's it actually doing?

 

If it's slipping as you put it, it's the clutch and either needs to be adjusted at the cable or replaced if it's wore out.
What oil are you using? If it's not motorcycle specific oil the clutch will slip under power.

 

No, it's not slipping in that sense. It really just seems like it's not in gear properly. I can go into third and all the others, just second has that horrible sound that it makes after I rev it up or put it under load. I can have the bike off the ground and it will run in second fine. Though as soon as enough power is given to it, it starts to skip. My major issue is the fact of how much I can buy another bike for compared to the 1000+ dollars I am going to have to sink just into parts to crack the case and fix the problem. Like I see these bike go for that much. I really wish there was kit that I could buy to replace all the things I need when cracking the case. Like I can have a motor for my car rebuilt for cheaper, just isn't right. I know cheaping out isn't the way to go but I have never been out riding yet and I am already in 900+my time. Like how am I supposed to justify spending more money on it if I haven't even grown to like to the bike. Anyways I guess it will just collect dust for now, and sorry about the rant...

 

You don't have to touch the top end to fix second gear at all.
That's where most of the cost to a rebuild is. You can easily split the cases and leave the head, pistons, cam and everything together.

99% of the cost of fixing second gear is the significant number of labor hours to do it. Most likely it's just the forks and the inside of the gear. Depending on which bike it is, I'm sure you could get a gear and fork for $25 with some patient shopping.

I know other guys have ridden many many miles and simply skip second gear and be a bit gentle

 

How many miles are on the bike? My Venture had 108,000 and had the second gear problem. I just feathered (or skipped it all together) and rode it like that for a long time.

 

This is absolutely true and good advice. You can flip the motor upside down, and take it apart from the bottom for the price of a few gaskets and a tube of Yamabond. Then it's just a matter of tracking down the necessary parts, which won't be difficult at all on eBay. People take bikes too far apart all the time parting them out, so there are a lot of loose parts floating around that never sell.

 

Ahh, madhatter, I know what you are saying. I have the same problem with my bike. Now I just take 2nd gear nice and easy, never past 3500 rpm, and if i need to accelerate i just do it in 1st/3rd or just skip 2nd altogether!

 

You can use the gears out of a 650, thats where I got mine from.

 

Ya I did a lot of thinking and decided that because the bike isn't perfect I can't really be bothered to do the re-build, just over the transmission being a bit messed. I'm thinking of doing a re-ring, but then I'm curious how far I should take that? Also what would be the bare-minimum I should replace if I am going to embark on this journey...?

The Xj650 Transmission is the same??? I can get those parts for way less on ebay. I noticed that there are the Xj650 turbos transmissions up there and are a different colour, where they a different setup, Stonger????

 

Alot of Turbo parts were hardened - - different color.

2nd gear was "out" in my first Seca 900 (had one in '84)
I paid someone to fix it who also found a piece of piston skirt in the bottom !!

 

So if I put a set of xj650 turbo gears in my bike I could say that I wouldn't be doing this a second time...

 

I'm sure I have a spare gear or four sitting in the shop I can send you for the price of shipping.

The 700 has a removable frame section which makes engine removal much easier. It's still an extended job. Even with the right tools and co-operative bolts it will still take a while.
At least it's an airhead and you don't have to deal with all the radiator and cooling tubes etc.

 

I have a 85 xj700 with an 81 650 in it. It has the same 2nd gear issue except just about any accel in 2nd causes it to skip. sound horrible! scares the crap out of my girlfriend every time! anyway, I thought I read somewhere that this can be fixed without splitting the case. is this possible? I've put this bike on craigslist for 1200. If anyone here is interested I will sell it for 900. Don't want to sell it but need the money for DR bills and im laid off. You can email me Jreaper_07@yahoo.com let me know your from XJbikes.com for the lower price. Jay

 

It is possible to repair the 2nd gear with out splitting the case on an XS/XJ 1100 not sure about the 700 or 650.