Shifting trouble 89 GS500 - new member

[highchief]

Hi Everyone,
I'm a brand new member and this is my first post. I just picked up an 89 GS500 for short cash and it seems like we're pretty much ready to ride. I've only come across one problem so far that I'm concerned about, other than the sweet 80's paint job.

I can shift up through the gears 1, 2, 3 without a problem. Shifting from 3-4 is tricky. I've got to slightly push down on the shift lever, kind of repositioning it, then I can shift to 4. 4-5 and 5-6 are no problem. Then downshifting I get the same thing. 6,5,4 then won't go into 3. Reposition shifter with my foot and down we go 3,2,1.

Anyone have any experience with this?

I am mechanically inclined enough to work on my car and am generally handy. Have a pretty good technical mind so I'm hoping I can dive into this. I ordered the manual using the link on this site. I also ordered the essential guide to motorcycle maintenance. I figured I would wait until I got them in my hands before I started opening anything up.
thanks for any help 
--jeremy

[sledge]

Sounds like there is wear somewhere in the selecter/shift mechanism. If you are lucky it will be in the pawl and ratchet and you wont have to remove and split the engine to repair it but it could be any one of a number of components at fault. Best thing to do is get a copy of the Haynes manual and study it before getting the spanners out.

[poolshark]

I don't know the insides of a GS trans as well as some others, but I'd say it sounds like a worn shift fork or shift drum. Good luck.

[highchief]

I just got the Clymer manual so I'll look fo rthe haynes Manual as a nice supplement to that.

[scratch]

Welcome!

Thanks for supporting the site!

[fourqbt]

 :thumb:WELCOME

Yep the guys are right, its a selector fault, normally down to wear. Check your manual (can email you the manufactures manual if needed) (its big though). The selector forks and drum can also become burred wich leaves a slight ridge of metal material depositis built up in a small area. This can cause some STICKING of the selector untill re-possitioned. I had this on my kwaker cruiser and after a quick strip and inspect, I was able to overcome the problem by cleaning all the burs from the selector fork. Problem solved and not returned.

[Mandres]

Are you having this problem when you're actually on the road, or is the bike just propped up in neutral?  I can't shift into the higher gears on mine unless I'm actually riding it.

[highchief]

That was about the easiest repair I've ever done.

I went into the garage expecting to be spending the rest of the day there. I started looking the bike over. started with the shifter while the bike's on the center stand trying to get a feel for shifting from 3-4. The shifter was extremely loose. I thought this can't possibly be the source of the problem. But regardless, i took it off positioned it a little lower for comfort, tightened it up and toook it for a spin. Problem solved.

i still can't figure why just being loose it would only give me a problem from 3-4, and not in the other gears. but right now I'm happy.

--jeremy

[pandy]

Welcome!