False neutral light

[JediGoat]

Looking for any words of wisdom on this problem.

I've got a K4 faired SV, and since it's 4k service, I've often had a problem getting it into neutral once it has warmed up (i.e. very stiff to move the gear change, and when I put enough pressure on to move it, it pops into 2nd). I used to solve this by using a few revs to pull forward and inch or two and then it would go into neutral quite easily.

My bike has been off the road for the past few weeks with a puncture, and yesterday the lovely folks at Essential Rubber fitted me some shiny new tyres....so far so good.

However, on the ride back across town I could not get neutral for love nor money...and having had a few weeks off riding (and with the fabulous roadwords on the Euston Road) my left hand was starting to ache a lot.

Eventually, after much coaxing, dribbling forward, and a substantial amount of swearing, I got neutral.....let go of the clutch...and stalled it

The bike was actually in 2nd, but the neutral light was on. I put it down to a one off....

Today on my way home from work, I was sat at some lights that I knew would be on red for a while, and I tried again to get neutral. Eventually the neutral light came on...but I wasn't sure it was neutral, so stuck it back in first and tried again. Same thing happened - got the neutral light, I waggled the pedal up and down a bit, it seemed to be in neutral, let go of the clutch, and stalled again (was in 2nd again).

Is this a sign of my sprocket being on the way out? The bike has done just over 7k miles, pretty much all town riding so mainly the lower gears being used. And is there any relevance to the fact that this probelm has got worse straight after the back wheel had been removed and reinstalled.

Me dunno what's up with it

Jo

Check your oil level, suspect it's been over filled.

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Check your oil level, suspect it's been over filled.

That was what I thought when I started having problems after the 4k service (Rob Berrington-Smith did it, before he buggered off back to SA).*

Rather than me mess about with...well...messy stuff...I guess it's due for another oil change soonish? Nect service should be at 8k?

Jo
*Actually, using the term "That's what I thought" is a disgraceful over-exaggeration of my mechanical skills.....I read it on here

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Check your oil level, suspect it's been over filled.

+ 1 I'd wager thats what it is, either that or the chain tension whats adjusting.

Does it go into the other gears OK, if its stiff in all the gears, then it might be worth popping the gear lever off and giving the shaft it spins on a good lubing...

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

+ 1 I'd wager thats what it is, either that or the chain tension whats adjusting. Does it go into the other gears OK

Nope, no problem with any other gears, just neutral, and only once it's warmed up. I'd guess the chain tension should be fine seeing as it was reset yesterday when they changed the tyre.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

, if its stiff in all the gears, then it might be worth popping the gear lever off and giving the shaft it spins on a good lubing...

Gulp!: : : Let's hope it's the oil then

Jo

[Biker Biggles]

Wot they said.
I find tyre shops tend to leave a little less slack on the chain for my liking.I find my SV changes gear much better with a tad more play on the chain and the correct level of newish oil in the sump.
Otherwise make sure your clutch is adjusted right.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Otherwise make sure your clutch is adjusted right.

Not sure about a false neutral light, but I've had two really simple things make getting neutral difficult and gear change clunky. First is the cable adjuster on the clutch cable (at the lever, under the wee rubber cover), unscrew this a bit hence increasing the cable tension and see if this makes a difference, if so get the cable adjusted properly. Second was the gear change lever itself coming loose, need to remove the spring clip and the lever and tighten up the screw thread (use some loctite on the thread).

Originally Posted by shop_addict

Rather than me mess about with...well...messy stuff...I guess it's due for another oil change soonish? Nect service should be at 8k?

So you can't go back to the dealer who did your 4k service? Any other dealers near by? Just pop 'round to one, flutter your eye lids and ask them to drain some of the oil (assuming that's the problem!).

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

So you can't go back to the dealer who did your 4k service? Any other dealers near by? Just pop 'round to one, flutter your eye lids and ask them to drain some of the oil (assuming that's the problem!).

No, that service was over a year ago, and the guy is no longer in the UK. I may have to bite the bullet and just change the oil myself....i guess it needs a change now anyway.

[JediGoat]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Not sure about a false neutral light, but I've had two really simple things make getting neutral difficult and gear change clunky. First is the cable adjuster on the clutch cable (at the lever, under the wee rubber cover), unscrew this a bit hence increasing the cable tension and see if this makes a difference, if so get the cable adjusted properly. Second was the gear change lever itself coming loose, need to remove the spring clip and the lever and tighten up the screw thread (use some loctite on the thread).

I'll have a look at the cluth cable in the morning...although i still don't understand why the neutral light comes on when it isn't in neutral