Gearchange question...

[mattb200]

Not particularly happy with the gearchange on my bike and not even sure whether the gearbox is damaged - if it is i reckon its my fault:sad:. today it just seemed a bit sloppy but its not just today. Bike history - SV650SK3, 14k miles, good weather use only, original chain (slightly tight in places but nothing excessive).

My first daft question: When changing gear how much force do you lot use? I reckon part of my problems might be down to not using enough force as i tend to just push it lightly for fear of damaging it. This could have been doing more harm than good? Should i really be giving a reasonably firm whack so that you hear it "engage"??

Daft question 2: I tend to have my chain adjusted on the loose side i suppose, not that loose though. Would this have a bad effect on gearchanges as I would have thought a tight chain would have been worse??

comments appreciated
thanks

[yorkie_chris]

Chain tension, oil condition and quantity all affect gear change.


The way I do it is to lightly press down just to take the slop out and preload it a little bit, then as I pull the clutch and blip the throttle, when the revs match you'll feel it slip in nicely (fnarr)

IMO anything that gives big bangs and clunks from the engine aint good for it!

Edit: same on the upshifts, light pressure on it, when the load on it is rght itll pretty much put itself in gear, with power going through the gearbox it won't come out of gear easily. Doesn't matter if you use the clutch or not like this really.

[jambo]

OK, check the chain tension all the way round with the bike on a rear padock stand or side stand (Not Aba / NWS). The acceptable limits are in the book but 30-35mm rings a bell... Make sure it's not tighter or looser than this at any point. if it is your chain's probably had it. Make sure it's properly lubed too.

Check your oil level is between the upper and lower limits.

Check the gear lever is moving smoothly, sometimes these can gum up and make the change feel horrible. You put quite a bit of force through it without trying anyway, but you may not have noticed it getting stiff. Disconnect the gear shift linkage and check you can move the gear lever up and down smoothly with one finger, if you have to force it remove the lever, and clean & lube it where it pivots.

Check the gear lever isn't too high or low, think about how high you have to lift for up changes and how low for down changes. makes a difference if it's wrong.

Check your clutch is moving smoothly not sticking, and that it has the correct amount of play at the lever. if this isn't right, the gear changes will feel awful too.

I know there's quite a bit to go through above, but all of them can make the gear change feel rubbish, and none of them involve a new gearbox;)

Jambo

[petevtwin650]

You can adjust the movement in the lever via the threaded rod to allow for bigfeet/little feet.

Gearbox should been almost silky smooth IMO.

[yorkie_chris]

Suzukis have always had a good reputation for gearboxes, the SV's is alright so long as you don't neglect it too badly except for a bit of a weak spot in them.

Just do as mentioned with the basic maintenence and greasing stuff etc and see if that helps.

[mattb200]

You can adjust the movement in the lever via the threaded rod to allow for bigfeet/little feet.

didn't know that. will look at all your suggestions.
thanks

[yorkie_chris]

Remember one end of it is a LH thread.

[xbox650]

Sounds like its all down to the chain for me . 14K miles on an original chain is a a touch exsessive . I change my chain and sprockets every 8-9000 miles . It all sounds like a too familiar worn out chain problem .

[veggiz]

I've got a quick gearchange Q:
If I accelerate really hard, I dont use the clutch when I shift, just release the throttle, and shift. Is this too hard for the gearbox, or not a problem?

[Lissa]

I know many people do a clutchless upchange and don't appear to have a problem.

It may become a problem at a higher mileage, but most people don't keep a bike that long anyway!

[Baph]

I've got a quick gearchange Q:
If I accelerate really hard, I dont use the clutch when I shift, just release the throttle, and shift. Is this too hard for the gearbox, or not a problem?
I've done ~27,000 miles on my bike, probably 95% of that has been clutchless upshifts, with maybe 10% clutchless downshifts. My gearbox still works fine without clunking (unless the chain needs adjusting).

That's not to say however, that your bike won't eat it's own gearbox.

Also, note, only change gear without the clutch if you're sure you know what you're doing. Downshifts are more dangerous than upshifts. Get it wrong, and you can distroy your gearbox.

Smooth is the key to sucess. If it aint smooth, don't do it again.

[veggiz]

I never downshift without clutch..

How do I know if I'm doing it right? (Since I'm actually asking that question, I'm probably doing it wrong..)

Here's what I do. Hard on the throttle, release, shift, full throttle.
The bike "nudge" alittle, but I think its because of the throttle..

[petevtwin650]

I never downshift without clutch..

How do I know if I'm doing it right? (Since I'm actually asking that question, I'm probably doing it wrong..)

Here's what I do. Hard on the throttle, release, shift, full throttle.
The bike "nudge" alittle, but I think its because of the throttle..

You don't have to be hard on the throttle. it works anyway. However you shouldn't get a "nudge", just more progressive acceleration. If the bike is jolting a bit then I'd say you've got to refine your change. The acceleration should be the same as if you dipped the clutch smoothness wise.

[Baph]

I never downshift without clutch..
And I don't suggest you do :) Just mentionned it as it's possibly to do it without greatly harming things.

Basically, if it's not making any adverse noises, then it's usually OK. However, as petevtwin650 says, it should be just as smooth as using the clutch.

At the end of the day, would you rather pay for a new clutch cable & plates, or would you prefer to pay for a new gearbox? If you're not sure what you're doing, clutches are cheeper. :)

[chakraist]

When my clutch pushrod snapped, I made it back 20 miles without using the clutch at all, I have no idea how I managed to do this, had to go over several roundabouts sans stopping. Was quite impressed with myself; even managed to get it up the pavement into the front garden.

[Richie]

hopefully will not be as bad as mine...
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/6308/enginegearboxcopyyy9.jpg

http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/engine/images/Engine%20strip%20(52).jpg

http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/engine/images/Engine%20strip%20(50).jpg

http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/rebuild1/rebuild/images/rebuild%20(5).jpg

and then the rebuild... (http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/rebuild1/rebuild/index.htm)
and then the starting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNalrXQtY0s&eurl=http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/)

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Sounds like its all down to the chain for me . 14K miles on an original chain is a a touch exsessive.

No it isn't. Look after it and it'll do a lot more than 14k.

[yorkie_chris]

E.g My OEM chain is on 21k

[dyzio]

I changed mine on 18k but I haven't taken care of it properly (a 800 mile trip to the Isle of Skye with no chain lube...). But I've learned my lesson - a scottoiler's fitted :)

[Sid Squid]

...Upsetting stuff including pictures of buggered gearbox bits...
That's broke that is.

[mattb200]

hopefully will not be as bad as mine...

hope not!! But starting think there may be something wrong.
Did you reapir that yourself as theres no way i could attempt anything like that!

No it isn't. Look after it and it'll do a lot more than 14k.
yeah thats what i thought! especially as at least half those mile done on 3 long europe trips and chain generally looked after.

[mattb200]

Richie - just curious how did your gearbox end up like that?