No gears

[hardleydavidson]

Hi,

I had real trouble getting home yesterday, I could shift to 1st no problem but then nothing, it wouldn't go in to second at all.

I finally managed to get it in to second by pulling the clutch freewheeling then through 1st to second but I think that was more a case of luck than anything technical. This morning I managed to get to work but it would only change in high revs. I fear I'm going to have the same issue this evening.

Any ideas?

I should add that my bike is straight four and not one down three up

[eastanglianbiker]

final drive chain tension? last time you changed the oil?bent selector possible

[hardleydavidson]

Yep, homeward journey was a disaster, did managed to get in to third at one point but that was uphill.

The final drive chain, is that the chain?? the one that's attached to the back wheel, it does look a little slack.

[eastanglianbiker]

then lube it up and set it to corect tension and see what happens

[hardleydavidson]

Ok,

So I tightened the chain, did a complete oil change but I'm still having the issue. My bike's a bit different it's neutral at the top then 1,2,3,4 all down. I did notice that if I put it in first, then list the gear pedal slightly (not so much that it changes gear) then try for second it goes in, then the same technique with third etc. Is there some sort of return spring? seems like the gear selector is not returning after engaging gear.

[eastanglianbiker]

it does sound like a return spring of some sort has given up if you have got a manual for the bike i would have a look at the gear selector arm that goes from the pedal into the engine to see if you can find the location of the spring as sometimes they are in the clutch case and others are within the main crank case,also have you taken the gear lever off and removed the casing to check how much dirt and old crud is built up in there as that cold also stop it returning on its own

[hardleydavidson]

Was thinking of doing that, not sure if there are any gaskets in there??? although I can't see the crank case or clutch case would need one, just don't want to take it apart and find there's a gasket that needs replacing without having one to hand.

[eastanglianbiker]

the clutch case HAS got a gasket on it the rear casing the other side that covers the front sprocket wouldnt normally have one due to the rear of the case being open for the chain to go in and ot of it

[hardleydavidson]

Thanks for the heads up.

I'll take a look tonight

[Guest]

Its worth checking the simplest things first fella..

Sounds very stupid, but my bike was a pig for it..

Check clutch cable adjustments are correct..

Specified to my bike, tighten cable until there is around 1cm free-play on the lever, although it can be different for other bikes..

With my bike being 14 years old, the clutch cable had started to stretch a little, making it a right A*Hole to get into gear,,

If the cable isnt tense enough, when you pull the clutch lever in, the clutch plates are remaining slightly in contact, and creating friction, thus making it a handful to try and get into another gear..

Mine never liked going into neutral at a stand still either..

But after a minor little adjustment.. Its been lovely and smooth from then on..

[Fozzie]

1cm freeplay at the lever is quite a lot! Most bikes demand only a couple of MM or just enough to fit a 10p piece into the gap.

But I echo the above, the simple things like chain and clutch cable are the first port of call, then always try to grease all of the gear lever mechanisms as when my SV's gear change seized up after a wash it would move and felt like it returned but the lever wasn't moving properly and I couldn't get gears easily. Took messing around to get it into 3rd and 4th.

Easy stuff first!