Gearchange issue.

Evening all.

Over the past week Ive had a rather frustrating problem with my gear changing start to happen. Shifting up is fine ( I always use clutch to shift up), but shifting down has become the issue. It shifts down one gear fine, but then refuses to shift down again and the gearchange lever just feels soft when trying to shift down again. Once ive stopped, I can then change down the gears using my hand on the lever (clutch still in, obviously). It seems to me that something might be out of line within the mechanism, but really, Ive no idea, Im certainly no mechanic!!

Ive had a look through threads with similar problems, which then suggest solutions along the lines of making sure the clutch adjustment is good (check), chain tension is correct (check), mechanism is clean (check). The one that I havent had a look at properly is this worm drive. Ive seen it mentioned, but cant seem to find the necessary thread that tells me how to alter it and there doesnt *seem* to be anything in my Haynes manual.

So yeah, if anybody out there has an idea of what the problem might be, any potential solution would be great! The bike saves me having to use the bus for commuting to work, and for that alone I love it dearly!!

Cheers,

Jonathan.

Exactly the same problem alot of people have.

Try taking the left rear set off, cleaning it all out, and putting in back on,
it gets loaded up with the salt and that from winter riding, and becomes stiff..
Check and see if you're rear brakes stiff too, it may need cleaned also.

Left rear set? Do you mean the rear sprocket and such, or within the gearbox area?

Come to think of it, the rear brake has felt quite stiff recently, yes. It wont help that I dont use as often as the front either, but Ill definately get it cleaned out.

Thanks!

Where the rearset bolts onoto the chassis, if you wiggle the brake lever and the gearchange level, and they feel stiff, thats probily you're problem..

I have a problem putting stuffinto words, someone will explain it better soon.

Taken from a previous thread..

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I had something similar on my SV when it had been stood for ages.

I'd be inclined to remove the gear lever from the shaft and clean it up, theres a little fibre washer on there that you need to remove, but be careful and dont damage it as you cant buy it on its own, if you knacker it you'll need a new lever.

Take the lever off, clean all the road grime out of it and the shaft it sits on, then refit it.

I'd be inclined to try that first before you start delving deeper into the gearbox.

Originally Posted by SV_Leeds

Left rear set? Do you mean the rear sprocket and such, or within the gearbox area?

Come to think of it, the rear brake has felt quite stiff recently, yes.

Thanks!

No. I think he means the footrest hanger. The gearlever and maybe the brake lever can sieze up if not lubed regularly, especially with all the salt around. WD40 the pivot as a stop gap, but for best results dismantle and grease up.

What he said..

*Gets coat*

Righto. Well I think I saw that thread before and gave everything a good wipe and a nice dousing in WD40 and things did improve a bit, but the problem still remained. I think ill now take it apart and give it a good grease like petevtwin suggests and see if that helps. *fingers crossed*

Cheers.

Sid Squid has a good quide to clutch adjustment - PM him for it, I'm sure he'll help you out Another thing is to check your oil level; my gear shifts where being nasty last week, 200 ml's of engine oil later and things are back to normal.

Also, when shifting down, re-engage the clutch between each gear shift

[Dave20046]

anna's just done an idiots guide called 'clutch'. Look it up.