I know this is a fairly common problem, and it's been discussed, but I've still got the problems, and looking for a guru's help.

Issues with shifting...
• Clunky/ Stiff shifting
• Miss shifts (staying in same gear/ hitting a neutral between 3-4, 4-5, 5-6)
• Stuck in Neutral
• Stuck in First going up
• Stuck in Second going down
• Get Neutral when shifting from First to Second - then rev it to redline

I've done all the normal stuff...oil change/ oil level, non-lazy shifting, firm boots, adjusted the clutch lever.

The smoothness of the shifting is helped when I do an oil change, but I still have all the other problems.

Is something wearing out?  Is there anything else that can be done?

I looking at getting a new bike, because of this shifting issue.  It doesn't feel safe.

Quote from: quiktaco on December 11, 2008, 10:23:04 AM
I know this is a fairly common problem, and it's been discussed, but I've still got the problems, and looking for a guru's help.

Issues with shifting...
• Clunky/ Stiff shifting
• Miss shifts (staying in same gear/ hitting a neutral between 3-4, 4-5, 5-6)
• Stuck in Neutral
• Stuck in First going up
• Stuck in Second going down
• Get Neutral when shifting from First to Second - then rev it to redline

I've done all the normal stuff...oil change/ oil level, non-lazy shifting, firm boots, adjusted the clutch lever.

The smoothness of the shifting is helped when I do an oil change, but I still have all the other problems.

Is something wearing out?  Is there anything else that can be done?

I looking at getting a new bike, because of this shifting issue.  It doesn't feel safe.

The adjustment available at the clutch lever is limited. Have you tried adjusting the clutch at the transmission end?

There are some details in this FAQ thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0

Sounds like you have some bad shift forks ... when they start bending or wearing and you start forcing it, presumably it will bend others and well and wear faster.

Transmissions are very simple ... nothing to it, 2 shafts ~2 inches apart. The clutch center is shaft 1, it gets the power from the motor, and the counter shaft is shaft 2 it delivers to the rear wheel. The entire crop of bikes going back 30-40 years has near about the same principle. Yes there is synchro mesh and constant mesh ... and there is partially synchro and part constant ... like 1-2-3 are synchro, and 4-5-6 are constant mesh ... but it all is basically same ...

They are stupidly simple, but getting to them ... forget it in the case of a compact motor like the GS. They are designed to be accessed via the top and eventually splitting the cases.

On a larger motor like a yamaha 1100 that I have with a bad tranny ... (and even here its looking to be the hardest job I have ever done, and there is a 36 page pictorial on the web to tell me that it will be ... ) they essentially ahve a 2 story engine. Access the lower 1/2 by unbolting the pan, and the top 1/2 can stay intact. That monstrosity just has to be inverted and suspended while I fix the tranny ... joy. I have it waiting for the buddha to enjoy an extended period of unemployment.

Anyway, sorry, I dont think its worthwhile to fix it for you ... But if you do stupidly decide to go for it ... I'll yank a beauty of a tranny from my 06 motor and part with it for a benjamin bill and shipping. Yea I know its $$$, but I'd sell you the whole damn lower1/2 of motor for the same, bad crank. And taking it apart is 90$ of the $$ ... you prolly should buy it and pull it apart and refit a few times ... for practice. You'r call, I wont do it as evidenced by the busted motor I have.
Cool.
Buddha.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I've adjusted the clutch both at the handlebars, and at the case.

I guess it sounds like what you've said here Buddha.  It's got around 46k on it, and I bought it with 42k.  I think I can keep it mildly in check as long as I do everything 100% perfect.  Clean oil at the right height.  Very punctuated and intentional shifting.  Perfectly adjusted clutch.

With all this perfect, I'll only get a few of these problems, a couple times during a ride.

Looks like a new bike is in order at some point.  Thanks for your help.  I don't think I'll be trying to fix it.

I got 48K on that 89 of mine ... in its entire life (I got it with 8K 10 years prior to selling it) and when in my possession I missed a shift precisely 1 time. Neutral between 2 and 3, 1 time ~20K. never before and never after ... ~45K I opened its clutch side to find a kevlar clutch in it, but the rest all looked new. The 48K miles was apparent from the speedometer, the oil it used and the lack of power, the tranny worked, felt and shifted like it was just broken in. Like new ...
I think its fair to say, I kill motors, but preserve transmissions. You may be the opposite. But then again, now, you can ride it like you stole it, cos its gonna be replaced anyway when its time comes. I had to preserve it, cos I could ahve gotten away with a top end job.
Cool.
Buddha.