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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: cay on August 30, 2004, 08:52:14 AM

Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: cay on August 30, 2004, 08:52:14 AM
Hi folks,

Twice last week I found myself unable to gear down to first at a stop light.  From second I was only able to get down to neutral (or back up to third).  I wasn't being gentle, either -- I was giving it some fairly enthusiastic kicks.  I limped over to the curb and fought with it for a while -- I was able to get into first after maybe 20-30 seconds of effort.

This was well into my ride, so everything should've been very well warmed up.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

C
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: tdan553527 on August 30, 2004, 08:55:44 AM
Check your oil level.
Title: Rock it...
Post by: The Buddha on August 30, 2004, 08:57:03 AM
Rock it back and forth...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: cay on August 30, 2004, 09:29:07 AM
My oil level is fine, that was my first thought.  The problem occurred Monday, I topped up my oil that night (it was down 3 mm), and the problem occurred again Tuesday.

As for rocking the bike back and forth, I tried that and it didn't seem to help.
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: scratch on August 30, 2004, 10:44:03 AM
Oil level - ok
Rolling back and forth - not ok
Clutch cable slack adjustment?
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: GRU on August 30, 2004, 11:00:25 AM
Quote from: scratchOil level - ok
Rolling back and forth - not ok
Clutch cable slack adjustment?

yep, try adjusting the cable....tighten it a little....

also, when you try to shift to first and it doesn't go in let out the clutch and pull it back in then try to shift again
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: Cal Price on August 30, 2004, 11:01:35 AM
Clutch-declutch in neutral often helps.
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: crash on August 30, 2004, 11:04:12 AM
Quote from: Cal PriceClutch-declutch in neutral often helps.
that always solves my problem.  if i'm sitting in neutral and i can't get it into first, i just let off the clutch a bit and it slides into 1st like butter
Title: Difficulty gearing down to 1st
Post by: Kerry on August 30, 2004, 11:15:32 AM
Here is what I do when I forget to shift down during an "emergency stop" and end up motionless in 5th or 6th gear.  :oops:  For each gear (these steps are all done RIGHT after each other - almost at the same time):