stranded... any help much appreciated

Long story short: Maxim XJ650, stalled and now I can't get bike into neutral, so I can't start the engine. Stranded at a shopping mall w/ free internet-- please post if you have a solution, or give me a call at -- (phone battery nearly dead). Thanks A LOT for any help. Long version below.


Last week, then yesterday, then twice today I had the following problem:

Bike stalls out while riding in 1st or 2nd, usually due to lack of skill-- it's my third week riding, and I make some stupid road moves or react badly to other people's stupid moves.

**After stalling, can't get bike into neutral. I've only been able to start bike in gear a couple times, and it never works in these situations.

Last week the problem "went away" after an hour. Yesterday a biker came by and saved my ass by showing me how to work the shifter with my hand to put her in neutral. He said old bikes get touchy that way sometimes.

Earlier today, the hand technique worked great. The second time, not so much. I'll be very grateful for any help getting her into neutral or starting her in gear. Thanks very much.

 

Try putting it on the center stand and turn the rear wheel by hand while trying to get neutral. Let me know how it works. Will watch for post. make sure key is off so it doesn't start. You can also bump start if you can get going fast enough and let out the clutch while in gear.

 

Try rocking the bike back and forth gently as you click the shifter all the way down to first. Continue gentle rocking while gently lifting the shifter with your toe, until you get the neutral light or the bike rolls. If you get a click up to second, gently click shifter down while rocking until you get neutral. Rinse and repeat.

MoralDk
82 XJ750 Maxim

 

Yeah, get someone to push you, and bump it.
Then, when you get home, park it, because, I think you have a dis-integrating chain guide, and it is throwing fragments at your shift drums.
I could be wrong. . .

 

thanks guys, will go try. don't know how to use center stand, so I'll be trying MoralDK's method first.

 

Just got home. I rocked back and forth both with and without the clutch, and I got the neutral light very soon. I sincerely appreciate your help.

TIMEtoRIDE-- what do you recommend r.e. chain guide? I will read up on it. I'm almost sure I'm always able to get into neutral (two full clicks up and down), it's just that the neutral light never came on, or even flickered like it usually does when I pass through neutral. Sometimes the shifter gets squirrely, but that's happened much less as I've gotten smoother. Sounds like a chain guide problem?

Thanks again. Hope I can get you guys back sometime.

 

FinDuMonde,

turn the key on, but leave the kill switch off. With the clutch pulled in, press down on the shifter, till it doesn't shift any more, while rocking back and forth. Now with your toe, lift the shifter up only one notch. Your neutral light should come on.

 

How many miles ??
If you can click thru the gears, then you don't have a chain guide problem.

These bikes have a few relays that keep the starter from working.
Sounds like you need to clean some contacts.
here's a starter checklist. . .

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... relay.html

hope that helps you

 

little less than 28K. Shifting is fine, except I don't think I ever had her in 5th.

Thanks for the link. I will do the test this weekend.

 

By the way, to put the bike on the center stand, stand on the left side of the bike and step on the pedal of the center stand while pulling the bike backwards by the grab bar on the rear of the seat. Most of the effort is going to be stomping on that pedal... by putting most of your weight on it the bike should rock back and up onto the stand with just a bit of force on the grab bar.

 

SQLGuy

"while pulling the bike backwards by the grab bar on the rear of the seat"

I was doing it the same way and found it was next to impossible to pull backwards. But if you step on the pedal of the center stand, with your left hand holding the handle bar and with your right hand lift at the seat rail (not in the back) on the side. Putting your weight on the pedal, then it will just roll back on the stand.

 

Ya...
I bout put my back out tryin to get the bike up on the center stand.
Asked my daughter to help me, and she pushed the bike backwards
by pushing on the front forks.
The next time I tried by myself I almost hurt myself when I put a little
extra pressure on the center stand before trying to lift the back end up....
I stepped down on the stand firmly and the bike literally jumped up
onto the stand by itself so quickly I almost fell over! :lol: