Clutch wont shift HELP PLEASE

After about a 5 min ride today i get my next problem...

The bike was working fine and shifting fine, then got stuck in 2nd gear though still running fine I couldn't shift. I parked it and put a lot of pressure on the clutch and it popped down into neutral with some free play, I can push down on the clutch and the neutral light will go off but I can’t shift it up...

Think it’s a transmission or maybe a linkage problem? I have no idea what to do with it next :-(

But hey at least I got to ride it even just for a few min today.. Its been a long time in waiting.

I'm really praying this is a simple fix or at least not to costly hahaha...

 

How many miles on your beast again? It is very likely you've been stricken with the dreaded "starterchain tensioner of death". This little doodad eventually cracks and the little pieces of plastic rain down upon your unsuspecting transmission at a time and place that is least convenient for you, locking it up. I had the same thing happen at a stop light. Hit the forum search for this topic, it has been reviewed a few times and we even had on enterprising chap who got the fix without having to split the case!

 

there are about 11,000 miles on the bike...

 

I'm thinking it may be your tensioner guide just did the parts dance on your transmission. Bummer.

 

Pull the sump off if you can and have a peek underneath/inside with a torch , all is visible to view with difficulty.

 

I am having the same problem with an XJ550. Won't shift very well when downshifting. Upshifting seems to be fine.

 

the link to original thread topic:

gear problems

the link to XJ moster with information to fix the problem original posted by MacMcMacmac in the gear problems thread:

Emergency Primary Chain Guide Removal

this sounds a lot like my problem and i think its going to be the first thing i check out... thanks again guys! at least this isn't a horrable problem to have.

 

Yeah, makes me feel somewhat better.

 

What ever do you mean by not horrible? You still have to go in there and replace the little bugger at some point. You're only buying time with the methods outlined here. You'll want to get that replaced at your (emphasis on your) earliest convenience. Good luck to you bud, I hope it is easy for you!

 

Yeah, getting to it to change it out is going to be one heck of a pain... assuming I can even do it. But at least I can get into it and see if this really is my problem, while it does sound right on the money... it sounds easy enough to check and if it is the problem... I’ll pull all the bits out and order the new part... then I suppose wait till I have someone with enough know how to help me get the old part out and the new part in... Unless it’s not as hard as it seems in my mind... but in tonight I am going to get into it some and see if I can’t get the bits of plastic out and have the bike rideable again.

 

Is it the same procedure on the 550? Cause I took off the shifter and chain cover and i don't see where I can get to the little hole described. Thanks!

 

Not sure if the cases are the same between the 550 and the 650/750. Anyone?

 

Same here tazz... I could not find it on my 550 either...

But I got it shifting again... and I feel like a real dumb ass...

I took it back out today and it shifted ok at first, and then stopped shifting...
Then I found that it would shift if I put a little throttle to it while rolling...
So then I tightened up the clutch cable above the crank case (it was looser than i first thought it was)

Now the bike shifts fine...

I'm finally back on the rode

 

You got your book yet? I'd run through it and make sure all your cables are properly adjusted, heck check everything. Give it all a good once over so you catch these little details and you know your bike and what you would need to do in case something pops up out on the road without your book!

 

Yep I have the book...

yeah I went threw all the general stuff, I had even checked the throttle cable when shifting first went out... but it didn’t seem to loose or to tight, but when I went back over it today in the day light I could really feel/see the extra play in it...

But yeah, I think your right there Robert, I need to just go ahead and hit it with a few good rounds of preventative maintenance… haha and I think I’m going to need a bigger tool box to take along with me… with this 24 year old bike there are so many things just waiting to junk up.

 

I got the XJ cd and everything has been adjusted according to the book, but it still would not shift. I took it into the garage last night and decided to take a look at the clutch plates. They were almost non-existant. Also, when draining the oil before pulling off the clutch side cover, I noticed something attached to the magnet on the drain plug. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be part of a tiny spring, almost like what is used in oil seals. Right next to it was a piece of metal that I am not sure what it was from.

So, for now, I have a spare 550 engine I am going to be swapping over as it has good compression and shifts very well. It also has less miles on it than the engine that is in there now. Eventually, I will split the case on the first engine and find out what broke.

 

A minimal kit isn't a bad idea. You shouldn't need a lot of tools if you catch everything ahead of time doing preventitive work. I carry the minimal wrenches, screwdrivers, multimeter, allen-wrenches, pliers, first aid kit, and a tire patch kit. Admittedly it doesn't all fit under my seat but I spread it out, some in the pocket of my jacket, backrest, and saddlebags or fanny pack. No sense in craming when you don't have too. Peaceful journeys.