Sometimes hard to get into first from neutral

[twistit]

My 97 GS500 has only 10k miles on it but I've noticed that it is sometimes hard to click into first from neutral when taking off from a stop light.  I've discovered that by putting my foot down on the shift lever lightly and letting out the clutch lever slowly, it will snick into first nicely.  Is this a common problem with GS500's?  Since I have the motor on the bench and will split the cases for a chain tensioner repair, I can have a look at the shifter mechanism.  What should I look for?

[Slack]

The oil is also the trans fluid on a bike.  So if your due for an oil change shifting becomes more difficult.  But, I don't think that's your problem.  What your experiencing is not a defect or flaw.  It is just how a sequential gear box works.  Sometimes the teeth on the cogs in the trans line up perfectly and it won't let you shift.  Next time roll the bike forward (or backwards if your going up a hill) a few inches to rotate the trans output shaft slightly.  Then you'll be able to pop right into first like normal.

[Big Rich]

I'm with Slack - nothing out of the ordinary. But I do want to add with the oil change thing: check that your clutch cable is set per the manual. If it's out of adjustment, it can make it tough to go from N to 1st / 2nd.

[fetor56]

Go to neutral just before u stop & put it in first when appropriate.

[mister]

Keep the bike in gear. That is, just before pulling up, pop it into 1st. Stop, pull the clutch in and hold it until it is time to go.

If you click it up into neutral, before trying to push it back into 1st, give the back a small rock forward or back while pressing down. In she goes nice and easy. 

[twistit]

The oil is also the trans fluid on a bike.  So if your due for an oil change shifting becomes more difficult.  But, I don't think that's your problem.  What your experiencing is not a defect or flaw.  It is just how a sequential gear box works.  Sometimes the teeth on the cogs in the trans line up perfectly and it won't let you shift.  Next time roll the bike forward (or backwards if your going up a hill) a few inches to rotate the trans output shaft slightly.  Then you'll be able to pop right into first like normal.

Oil is up where it should be.  From the other comments, it appears to be a characteristic of the gear box.  Rolling the bike doesn't always work, but putting a little weight on the shift lever and easing out the clutch lever does it every time.  Thanks.

[twistit]

I'm with Slack - nothing out of the ordinary. But I do want to add with the oil change thing: check that your clutch cable is set per the manual. If it's out of adjustment, it can make it tough to go from N to 1st / 2nd.

Clutch cable is good.  The problem happens occasionally.  Probably a characteristic of the bike.  Thanks.

[twistit]

Go to neutral just before u stop & put it in first when appropriate.

That's my riding style.  Saving wear on the clutch rod.  Thanks.

[twistit]

Keep the bike in gear. That is, just before pulling up, pop it into 1st. Stop, pull the clutch in and hold it until it is time to go.

If you click it up into neutral, before trying to push it back into 1st, give the back a small rock forward or back while pressing down. In she goes nice and easy. 

I'm a geezer and holding the clutch lever in will, over the course of a ride in town, makes my wrist a little achy. 

[gsJack]

Keep the bike in gear. That is, just before pulling up, pop it into 1st. Stop, pull the clutch in and hold it until it is time to go.

If you click it up into neutral, before trying to push it back into 1st, give the back a small rock forward or back while pressing down. In she goes nice and easy. 

I'm a geezer and holding the clutch lever in will, over the course of a ride in town, makes my wrist a little achy.

My GS is almost never out of gear except at home in the garage.  My wrists are no problem but my hips sure are.    I'm 80 now and looking forward to being a geezer some day, at what age does geezer start?

[john]

I'm 80 now and looking forward to being a geezer some day, at what age does geezer start?

Go into bathroom.  Look in mirror.  See geezer.  Look of shock and horror ensues.

[Calpantera]

If I am at a long light I will shift into neutral, when shifting back into 1st and it does not "fall" into gear I just give it a smack! 

[gsJack]

I'm 80 now and looking forward to being a geezer some day, at what age does geezer start?

Go into bathroom.  Look in mirror.  See geezer.  Look of shock and horror ensues.

I just looked John and all I saw was a handsome young man with a full head of hair, very short hair but it's all there.    



  (pic taken month before 80th birthday)

[Worm]

I prefer to stay in gear but occasionally will pop into neutral but only once the traffic behind me has come to a stop. If you let the clutch lever out just a bit, pull it back in then hit the shift lever it clicks right into gear.

[Calpantera]

I prefer to stay in gear but occasionally will pop into neutral but only once the traffic behind me has come to a stop. If you let the clutch lever out just a bit, pull it back in then hit the shift lever it clicks right into gear.

Heh just tested this and it works great! Instead of moving the tire side by rolling you are just moving the engine side by letting out the clutch a bit till they line up and it drops right in..

[jestercinti]

Oil.

Just had a guy at work with a Honda Shadow have this problem.  Told him it's the oil.  He didn't believe me when I told him that the oil in the crankcase is also the oil in the gearbox.

He came in the next day and told me it was fixed.  A quart low.

[twistit]

Keep the bike in gear. That is, just before pulling up, pop it into 1st. Stop, pull the clutch in and hold it until it is time to go.

If you click it up into neutral, before trying to push it back into 1st, give the back a small rock forward or back while pressing down. In she goes nice and easy. 

I'm a geezer and holding the clutch lever in will, over the course of a ride in town, makes my wrist a little achy.

Geezer starts when opening a beer gives you muscle cramps, lol...

My GS is almost never out of gear except at home in the garage.  My wrists are no problem but my hips sure are.    I'm 80 now and looking forward to being a geezer some day, at what age does geezer start?

[gsJack]

So what's the answer, wait a minute, think I just found it:

"Geezer starts when opening a beer gives you muscle cramps, lol..."

But I quit drinking 34 years ago so I guess I'll have to find another test, John's mirror test didn't work either.   

[mister]

So what's the answer, wait a minute, think I just found it:

"Geezer starts when opening a beer gives you muscle cramps, lol..."

But I quit drinking 34 years ago so I guess I'll have to find another test, John's mirror test didn't work either.   

Ok, I think I have the answer to this...

Geezer Official Starts at: It Depends On...

#1 - the comparison ages of others around you
#2 - the activity you are doing
#3 - the experience of the activity

Let me give you an example. In this example I'll use the sport of Tennis.

So, you're on the court. You are facing a Younger opponent who can hit the ball Better than you, can run Faster than you and is Fitter than you. ON paper this whipper snapper should win - but - he fails to take into account Geezer Tennis.

What is Geezer tennis?

Glad you asked. Geezer Tennis is the type of tennis played by someone with More Experience than a younger better opponent. Using this experience they are able to play all kinds of different Styles of tennis to mess up the other players game. They know more Tricks, dink shots, and other play that bamboozles the better, faster, harder hitting player. American tennis dude Brad Gilbert might have called it Winning Ugly, I call it Geezer Tennis. I beat many players using Geezer Tennis, even when I was only in my 20s.

So there you have it, your are officially a Geezer the moment you have more Experience than someone younger than you upon specific tasks. So, sometimes you're a Geezer, and sometimes you are not.