Neutral with engine running

SV650 X 1999 21k. New to me only rode it the 100 mile home so far.

I have another question

Bike wont go into neutral when engine is running. It shifts into neutral perfectly when engine is off, and it rode home through the gears fine, does that rule out anything bad? lol.

Is it the clutch? The clutch lever has no free play and is far out so i cant really see how i can adjust it. New oil first then and friction plate set would resolve it?

I need to study how the shift and clutch mechanism works on this bike, i pretty much understand a car gearbox.

Wrong section some how, apologies. Can someone shift it please. (# not the gearbox lol)

[maviczap]

Lots of gunge behind the sprocket cover? If you take it off, you'll see the other end of the clutch cable, with the adjuster.

If you've got no freeplay in the cable, adjust it so you've got about 5mm travel at the lever I think? Maybe a smidge more.

[Biker Biggles]

Adjust and lube chain.
Check engine oil level is correct and its been changed in living memory.
Do a search on here for how to adjust clutch operating mechanism(not just the cable)
Check the gear lever where it pivots on the footrest.This gets gunked up and needs lubing.
I bet one of the above sorts it.

At first it wasn't easy going into neutral even when engine off as the gear lever and rod were bent a bit at sometime or other, once i bent it back all straight it made it easy to get into neutral. Ill take sprocket cover off as suggest to have a closer look.

Thanks

How old is your oil? when it gets thick and black it drags on the clutch plates and loads up the gears making it difficult to change.

[fizzwheel]

Moved to the right section for you.

As above, chain tension & oil level are the first things to check.

thanks fizzwheel

No idea regarding oil age, only had it month or two, and have chosen to stick to riding the 125 over winter lol, it gives me time to iron out all the bits and get familar with it.

Ive been meaning to grab some some oil from HG, but the 125 is now playing up! Stopped at the lights and conked out, wouldn't run unless i hammered throttle, cleaned the carb and now the revs wont go down after opening the throttle, i suspect an air leak, it did make me chuckle, its like the bike has mind of its own. Got a spare carb to test on it tomorrow, bloody fun and games!

An oil change ain't gonna hurt things anyhow and its amazing the difference of feel and as said above chain tension is important and can make big positives in the way of gear shifting.

[Sid Squid]

Adjust the clutch.