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SR 185 Won't shift.

Discussion in 'Other Motorcycles' started by Base430, Apr 20, 2015.

  1. Base430

    Base430 Member

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    Hello,

    My wife just picked up a 1981 SR 185H Exciter this weekend. It will shift from neutral to 1st fine. When shifting to second, you have to hold the gear selector level up while you release the clutch lever for it to go into second. Even when you do that then the bike might go into neutral when accelerating. Or the neutral light comes on but it is still in gear. I cannot get this bike into 3rd or 4th gear. Any info will help. I have no history on this bike.
     
    Base430, Apr 20, 2015
    #1
  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    The olny way to find out exactly what the problem is would be to remove the shift lever, open the shift cover, and look. It could be a broken spring on the mousetrap, or bent shifting forks.
     
    k-moe, Apr 20, 2015
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  3. Base430

    Base430 Member

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    Ok. Thanks for the response. I figured that I had to take it apart so I did last night. On my shifter lever shaft there is a detent roller (pizza cutter) with torsion spring. The torsion spring is broke. I am assuming that would cause the transmission to not stay in gear or shift to higher gears.

    And sorry, mousetrap?
     
    Base430, Apr 21, 2015
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  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Mousetrap is a semi-old timey slang term for the shifting ratchet mechanism. The broken spring that you found is the cause of your shifting woes. Replace it and you should be able to get into all gears.
     
    k-moe, Apr 21, 2015
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  5. Base430

    Base430 Member

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    Thank you so much. Spring ordered and backup ordered as well. As I am seeing this be a problem for this era of Yamaha.
     
    Base430, Apr 21, 2015
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  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    It isn't a problem for the era of Yamaha, it's just something that happens eventually to small springs that have high duty cycles.
     
    k-moe, Apr 21, 2015
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  7. Base430

    Base430 Member

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    Should it have broken with 11k on motor?
     
    Base430, Apr 21, 2015
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  8. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam

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    Mileage is not a good indicator, could've been 11k in town miles with 5 shifts every 2 miles, or 11k highway miles with 2 shifts every hundred.
     
    jayrodoh, Apr 21, 2015
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  9. Base430

    Base430 Member

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    That's true. And for it being a 185 I doubt they are going on the highway anytime soon.
     
    Base430, Apr 21, 2015
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  10. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam

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    Lol, good point! I *think* the legal requirement when I was a kid was 125cc in Michigan to hit the highway. No thanks, I don't like taking the wifes 250 out there.
     
    jayrodoh, Apr 21, 2015
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  11. Janna

    Janna New Member

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    Can anyone tell me what kind of oil to put in this kind of bike? Same make/model.. Yamaha 1981 SR185 Exciter. Thanks!
     
    Janna, Apr 15, 2016
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  12. Base430

    Base430 Member

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    If I am not mistaken I used 15w40 rotella triple t. I can not remember how many but it comes in a quart bottle.
     
    Base430, Apr 15, 2016
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    k-moe likes this.
  13. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Check the oil link in my signature. Oil weight should be chosen by the range of temperatures that you will be riding in. 15W-40 gives a good spread for most of the U.S. for a three-season rider.

    The oil sump capacity is cast into the clutch cover, near the oil filler cap. It should be around 1300cc, plus another 300cc if you change the filter.

    Fun Fact: There is a SR185 in the Smithsonian http://n.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motorcycles_in_the_Smithsonian_Institution
     
    k-moe, Apr 15, 2016
    #13

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