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View Full Version : Intermittent Sticky gears when changing up


netsurfer
01-04-07, 06:05 PM
Had my '01 SV650s out today for the 1st time in several weeks, it hasn't been getting more than a 8 mile run once a fortnight or so for the last 3 months due to weather.

Today, beautiful sunny day I decide to go for a long run. When I pulled out of the drive, pulled second no problem, then third... it was like the gear selector was in 6th - totally solid.. wouldnt change up at all. I let the clutch out in 2nd and tried again to change into third... after about 3 attempts the lever clicked up into third and off I went... 4th gave me a little trouble too.
When I got to the end of the road, again third gave me trouble, and for the next 20 or so miles I had intermittent trouble selecting usually 3rd and 4th.
I decided to bear with the problem as it wasn't really bad, I kept in mind that I shouldnt rely on upshifting when passing other vehicles, as sooner or later I might end up hitting the rev limiter and not able to pull a higher gear.

175 miles later the problem seems to have almost gone... what is it likely to be/have been?

I have searched the forum here but can't find an explination.. I can confirm the chain tension is OK, as is engine oil level. Clutch cable adjustment is fine, and I have no problem selecting gears from a standstill. I recall someone mentioning something about a bushing on the shift arm/linkage which seizes up, would this cause problems in specific gears only?

Pete

petevtwin650
01-04-07, 06:38 PM
I think you have hit the nail on the head with your diagnosis of the gear lever part seizing on the spindle. Just peculiar that it happens in the same gears. Short term cure would be to soak it in WD40 or similar but basically take the foot peg mount off and seperate the lever from the spindle and grease it up.

RandyO
02-04-07, 01:59 AM
shift linkage needs to be cleaned and lubed... it's part of normal service that many peeps ignore

oldie
02-04-07, 03:22 PM
I have an '01 too, and they are a quirky gearbox! Every once in a while mine just doesn't shift right. It's like the mysterious engine stall problem. Just part of the bikes "personality".
Oldie

Rich
02-04-07, 06:54 PM
Check your chain, i had trouble on my old bike like that adjusted chain and all was well again!!!Hopefully it's something simple!!!