Problem finding gear.

Got my bike on friday and its goin grand apart from when moving down the gears. It moves down freely but doesn't click it into gear. It doesnt even let you move up the gears like its stuck. I've tried moving the bike backwards and forwards but still no joy and i've tried adjusting the clutch too. The chain does seem a bit loose to be honest so i'm gonna tighten it tomorro - could this be whats causing it???
I cleaned all the much out behind the sprocket cover and greased up all the moving parts. I reckon its due an oil change so i'll do that tomorro. If either of those sort it it must be an internal problem. Do these symptoms sound familiar?

The chain tends to be a common cause for "rough" gear changes. Give it a good clean and make sure the tension is suitable. If the problem still persists I'm thinking maybe front sprocket, but I'm far from clued up on bike mechanics!

HTH

[fizzwheel]

Chain Tension
Over Filled Oil
Gear lever is manky and stuck on the shaft

Could be any of those things. A bit more info on your bike ( model, milleage etc etc ) Is going to help us diagnose your problem...

Originally Posted by tiernanobrien

Got my bike on friday and its goin grand apart from when moving down the gears. It moves down freely but doesn't click it into gear. It doesnt even let you move up the gears like its stuck. I've tried moving the bike backwards and forwards but still no joy and i've tried adjusting the clutch too. The chain does seem a bit loose to be honest so i'm gonna tighten it tomorro - could this be whats causing it???
I cleaned all the much out behind the sprocket cover and greased up all the moving parts. I reckon its due an oil change so i'll do that tomorro. If either of those sort it it must be an internal problem. Do these symptoms sound familiar?

I have this problem myself occasionally, normally when i have braked hard . rather strange.

The bike is a K5 SV650S with 10,000miles on it. It's in great condition and never crashed etc etc.
Oil Level is fine but i don't know when it was last changed so thats why i'm gonna do it.
Gear lever was cleaned and lubed today.
Chain tension.... alot is pointing the finger at this!

to remedy this problem ive now tried:
1. Adjusting the clutch
2.Adjusting and greasing the gear lever
3. Tightening the chain
4. Cleaning C+S and behind sprocket cover + oiling them
5. Changed oil + filter

Still got the problem... any ideas???

Have a look at your .ie thread tiernan. Posted a bit for ya there earlier. Any q's gimme a shout over there, k

sorry to jump inot a thread thats already going but i have the same problem with a 2000 curvy selects gears up and down fine normally only wants to go as low as 2nd or 3rd after braking hard eg traffic lights etc a bit of pain as i cant select 1st to pull away!
any ideas on whats causing this? ok the chain could do with some attention but as i have just bought it its on the to do list lol the clutch doesnt feel like its dragging or anything and works fine ok the normal little clunk when enaging 1st but all my prevouis bikes did the same? where am i best lookig at does this sound like a clutch issue surely chain tension does not cause this? apart from this nice wee bike and great way back into 2 wheels!

Hi Alan

The normal clunk from neutral to first is ok. Have you adjusted the clutch worm drive? You need to remove the front sprocket cover (3 x 8mm headed bolts) to see the mechanism This is what actualy determines how well the clutch operates, not the cable tension

definatly definatly change the chain and sprockets (always together) if they are crap. In the mean time, if you are riding the bike while waiting for this to get done, clean the chain (with parrafin) and lubricate the chain (with something nice and oily like silkolene chain lube) and adjust the tension. The state of the chain has a huuuuge effect on how well you can change gears. I know when mine needs attention as I get crap changes and neutral instead of second gear and all sorts!

Happy ridings

hi thanks for the reply yeah not long got the bike and too guilty of just riding it lol

when i get the time i will check the clutch tension and had a quick look at the sprockets they are not too bad but the chain has some surface corrossion i assume the last owner wasnt keen on chain lube ! I find the gear select problem to be very intermittent mainly its when the box isnt loaded ie when trying to select a lower gear when stopped at lights etc when i have not been able to go down thru every gear on slowdownor only other time i get it is when short shifting going down hill from where i live, so effectively coasting as a 20 mph area then it doesnt like changing up into 3rd feels like a nice posatie chenge but when i let the clutch out its still 2nd. Apart from that when on the move or normal riding the gearbox is nice and smooth with easy posative changes.

I assume an x-ring chain is still the order of the day if i am gonna be changing it? and any preferance on manufacturer for chain or sprocket?

cheers all