Hard shifts and can't find neutral while running

1986 Yx600 Radian. I am afraid to post this question because I feel like I wont like the answer.

So something I recently noticed is that the bike has really "rough" shifts and it wont shift into neutral while the engine is running. I kind of told myself that it's just how older engines are but one of my fellow Radian brothers set me straight and told me that his shifts smooth and he has no problems finding neutral regardless of whether the engine is running or not. Sigh.

Does anyone have any advice on where I should begin with this?

 

Is your clutch cable properly adjusted? Have you checked behind the shift lever cover for anything worn or broken like a spring for example? The alternator chain guide can break up and get into the selector forks and drum on the 900f engine, hope it is not that on your bike.

 

Clutch is properly adjusted. I had the shift lever cover off recently to check the sprocket. I may be missing something or just didnt know what to look for but I dont recall anything being there besides the sprocket and the shift lever shaft.

 

It's a chain drive I am forgetting that hope it is something easy to fix.

 

Me too.

 

clutch adjustment is critical. 3 to 4 mm pay at lever
fresh oil if it has not been changed in a while
next would be to look at part 3 stopper lever assembly it may be worn. check the 3 springs
in this diagram
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/1986/radian-yx600s/shift-shaft
9 and 12 could be worn too
neutral can be hard to find.
what do you know about the clutch assembly ?

 

I was the guy who had to rebuild his clutch twice because I put the clutch plates in the wrong directions. After two rebuilds I want to say I know a decent amount about it.

 

ok so new clutch thats good. could be you installed the push lever on motor off a spline or 2 so it does not fully disengage the clutch when you pull the lever.
or did not have the push lever axle fully turned forward when installing.


https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/1986/radian-yx600s/clutch

 

i had same trouble on my xj600 , which is the same engine. it turned out the gear lever shaft was slightly bent upwards. between the crankcase and the shift lever cover.
so the shaft was binding on the cover.
try shifting the lever with the cover off, you can do this by replacing the short lever stub ,back on the splined shaft, look for any bend whilst its off.
is the nylon spacer in place between the cover and the crankcase seal?
easy enough to straighten the shaft ,without removing it -- put a few layers of tape around the splines, slide a snug fitting piece of pipe over the shaft, and whack the end.
shifting was a lot easier after that.
stu
( nylon collar is item 12 on xj550Hs link)

 

Nylon spacer is there. I'm going play around with the clutch adjustment a few more times. I'm certain that the push lever was installed correctly.

 

Wait did you mean the nylon spacer on the sprocket side or the clutch side? I didnt remove the clutch basket or anything when I swapped in new plates.

 

sprocket side , it stops a slack chain from rubbing the shaft,

 

item 12 in this link

 

It just fits between the cover and crankcase right? not a specific fitting?

 

yes it keeps parts alined

 

Did you replace the clutch cable, or at least measure the overall length of the exising one?

 

I'm positive its the original clutch cable. Didnt replace or measure but I did inspect, clean and lube. There was no fraying or kinks so I assumed there was no reason to replace.