Cannot get out of 1st gear when engine is warm and stopped

[silverslp]

Hello all, recently I've been experiencing a problem with my '97 GS500. I have just under 10k miles.

After a long ride and the engine is warm, I cannot get the gear selector out of first gear without excessive force. This only happens while the engine is still running, and while stopped. If the bike is rolling, it effortlessly goes through all gears; additionally, if I turn the engine off, I have no problem going into any gear.

My clutch adjustment lever has about a nickle thickness of free play, as per spec.

Once the bike has cooled down, I can change gears while stopped. I was playing with it this morning at a stop light, and I could shift from 1st gear into neutral about 3 times. After that, it wouldn't come out of first.

Thank you in advance for the help!

[BockinBboy]

This sounds like some of the typical issues that can occur with a wet clutch in general.  It is normal behaviour for a wet clutch to need some movement of the rear tire or feathering of the clutch lever in order to shift.  It tends to get more problematic when your oil is nearing the change interval, or if your oil level is too high.  Another side effect is that it can also be further problematic if a clutch is out of adjustment - I know you mention correct adjustment at the lever by amount of play there, but there is a full adjustment illustrated in the manual that includes adjustment at the engine, which could prove to help if you haven't already done that. 



- Bboy

[Cerberus73]

I would go with the clutch cable needing adjusted.. it it aint right you get clonking into gear, or it will not change at all. get a manual and adjust as instructed, cables will stretch a little so over the 10k the bike has done there will be more slack now than it was from new.

[gsJack]

Start with 3 point clutch adjustment as described in shop manual.  It's important that push rod free play be set right to get proper clutch action:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500clutchadjustment_zps58ca4ce8.jpg

[tmbr_wulf]

I occasionally get this problem as well.  I find that if it happens it helps to give the throttle a little blip as you are shifting up to neutral.  But I too am going to perform the 3-point adjustment very soon.

[ShowBizWolf]

This is pretty cool advice... sometimes I have trouble getting the bike back INTO first if I shift into neutral while stopped at a red light/stop sign.  I have found that it helps if while I am rolling to the stop, I shift into neutral and then squeeze the clutch a few times before I stop.  Would the 3-point adjustment help this too?  Or is it normal behavior that can be fixed as Bockin said? 

[Cerberus73]

Yep.. do a 3 point check.. i do mines every couple of thousands miles, just to make sure everything is ok, along with other routine maintenance tasks.

[RichDesmond]

This is pretty cool advice... sometimes I have trouble getting the bike back INTO first if I shift into neutral while stopped at a red light/stop sign.  I have found that it helps if while I am rolling to the stop, I shift into neutral and then squeeze the clutch a few times before I stop.  Would the 3-point adjustment help this too?  Or is it normal behavior that can be fixed as Bockin said? 

A little trouble getting into gear when stopped is normal. It's a dog/slot alignment thing, just a function of how transmissions are designed. The OP's issue of trouble getting out of gear is not normal and usually points to dragging clutch. Most commonly mis-adjustment, very occasionally warped clutch plates.

[ShowBizWolf]

Cool!  I love this site 

[silverslp]

Thank you for all of the helpful replies! I picked up 3 quarts of Valvoline 10w40 and a Fram CH6000 filter, changed the oil (used about 2.8 quarts), and I now have no problem shifting up to neutral when stopped. Thanks again 

[Shemagh]

Same problem here. I will try the oil thing, but does anyone have manual(pdf) for 93 GS500E?
Just in case, when I need to do the 3 point check.

[gsJack]

The 3 point clutch adjustment was linked above copied out of 89-99 shop manual.  I downloaded the 89-99 shop manual from carl salter site and it's probably still there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500clutchadjustment_zps58ca4ce8.jpg