Gears Question

[Drew Carey]

Hiya All

I've had my SV (brand new K6 Sport Pointy) for nearly three months now and I've done about 2600 ish miles. The only other bikes that I have riden are a CG125 for CBT and a GS500 for my DAS.

One thing I've noticed is that with the GS500 when changing gears there was no noise from the gearbox and the gear slipped in easily.

With the SV however 2 to 6 go in easily but 1 to 2 is a bit "Clunky" going past neutrel. Also, even though each one goes in ok, the "click" each time is audible. Is this normal?

Drew

[fizzwheel]

Whats the tension on your chain like ? The SV is sensitive to a slack chain and having a slack chain can mean the gearbox is notchy or clunky.

Might be worth a check if you havent done so already.

[Drew Carey]

Checked the chain and it is bang on what it needs to be (30mm movement I believe).

I didn't know if it was due to still being relatively "low" milage and will get better more that it rides.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Check your oil level. May be over filled.

[Drew Carey]

Just checked, its on the max line when held upright. Do people have any noise at all from there's?

[the_lone_wolf]

the SV gearbox is a bit agricultural in comparison to others, the GS500 you rode on your DAS probably had round teeth and the CG only had to withstand the punishment a lawnmower can dish out, i've only ever had clunky changes when the chain needed tightening, i think the book says 25mm, but i doubt 30mm would give you huge problems

[Drew Carey]

I guess I will just see how it is over the next few days and try and be as gentle as possible.

Drew

[sinbad]

Never what I'd call "clunky" but certainly it's not a butter smooth change. With the oil right and the chain correctly adjusted it's a light, easy, flickable action, though.
Do you have any problems finding neutral?

[Drew Carey]

Occasionaly yes, get a clicky kind of sound trying to get into neutrel. If I get on the bike, start it and then go straight for 1st I can get it. I tend to however, start the bike and put on the helmet and gloves etc, by then it has moved enough oil around that there isn't a problem. Only once or twice has it happened whilst stopping at junctions etc.

[fizzwheel]

is it difficut to get into Neutral with the engine running ?

If so I'd 2nd what's been said above about the oil level being to full.

[Drew Carey]

When checking the oil level, should the max be bang on the line, or is a bit above ok? Second, how do I go about getting rid of a little?

[ThEGr33k]

Is your clutch cable setup right? If its still a little engaged when pulled in then that could be the issue.

[fizzwheel]

With the bike upright it should be between the two lines, if its over the top line then you have to much oil in the bike.

Easiest way of letting a little out is to undo the oil filter and then let some trickle out.

If you undo the sump bolt you'll have a gush before you know it... dont ask me how I know this though... ;)

[Drew Carey]

Ok, I don't however have a filter wrench, is it really needed?

[yorkie_chris]

If its been on a while then yes, they tend to stick on pretty hard.

[Drew Carey]

Been on there since the 600 mile service which was done at 740, now on 2600, but it was only done end of november.

[yorkie_chris]

Give it a try by hand, you never know.

I use a chain wrench, which crushes them to the point that I wouldn't reuse, also tried a strap wrench, which crushes them as well. And battered a screwdriver through a stubborn one. And completely ripped melodys to bits because it was very stubborn indeed.

So could go either way really.

[Drew Carey]

Well I want to do is get a little oil out, not trash the filter.

[yorkie_chris]

I know, but like I say, its hard to unscrew the filter without the tool without maching it.

Try it by hand before you buy the tool, it might come off you never know.

[Drew Carey]

Chris, you would be right, won't budge for love nor money. Also, ran the engine for a couple of minutes then checked the oil level, once held upright I can't even see where the oil is up to as the whole glass view is black!!!! So guess that means too much oil.

Think it may involve a trip to a garage, as I'm useless with a spanner and don't want to do any damage.

[sinbad]

Chris, you would be right, won't budge for love nor money. Also, ran the engine for a couple of minutes then checked the oil level, once held upright I can't even see where the oil is up to as the whole glass view is black!!!! So guess that means too much oil.

Think it may involve a trip to a garage, as I'm useless with a spanner and don't want to do any damage.

Tell the garage that serviced it at 600miles that they have over filled it, they should sort it for free.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

the SV gearbox is a bit agricultural in comparison to others, the GS500 you rode on your DAS probably had round teeth and the CG only had to withstand the punishment a lawnmower can dish out, i've only ever had clunky changes when the chain needed tightening, i think the book says 25mm, but i doubt 30mm would give you huge problems

Interesting! I understood Suzuki had a reputation for making the best gear boxes. I'm no expert but that seems to extend to the SV. Certainly smoother than on the other two bikes I've owned.

Chris, you would be right, won't budge for love nor money. Also, ran the engine for a couple of minutes then checked the oil level, once held upright I can't even see where the oil is up to as the whole glass view is black!!!! So guess that means too much oil.

Think it may involve a trip to a garage, as I'm useless with a spanner and don't want to do any damage.

If you can get hold of a syringe you could use that to suck some of the oil out from the filler cap.

[Biker Biggles]

From your first post which says 1-2 is a bit notchy but all the rest go in fine I would leave the oil level well alone.Its been OK for the last 2000 miles and will be for the next until service time.It aint really broke so dont fix it.;)

[the_lone_wolf]

Interesting! I understood Suzuki had a reputation for making the best gear boxes. I'm no expert but that seems to extend to the SV. Certainly smoother than on the other two bikes I've owned
i'm only reiterating what i've read in other reviews and sources, my own experience is limited tothe CG125/GS500 and a hire CBF1000, and the gearbox on that was silk compared to the SV. there's nothing wrong it, it does the job fine and mine has only ever felt clunky when the chain needed tightening, just that the general view i've seen is that there are better ones...