Transmission - Grind/Clunk into First

Hi guys,

I am having a problem with my transmission that started only recently after I returned from a 2000km ride on my 1982 XJ650RJ.

When I shift down, I either have to really boot it or else I get a sound that sounds like something isnt catching but is instead grinding a bunch of gears. Sometimes if I dont hit it hard enough, it wont shift down but will instead make the grinding sound until I give it a second boot. While sometimes it shifts with no problem, this is starting to worry me as I am afraid I'm hurting the transmission somehow. The problem occurs whenever I shift down - from neutral, from second - doesnt matter.

While I changed my oil before my trip (with 20w50 as I was riding into a heat wave), I didnt change it for a few weeks when I got back. When I changed the oil a week ago (again with 20w50), it didnt really change anything (a little better, but not markedly).

Please let me know what may be up - if I should take her to a mechanic or if I could do the work myself. I'd prefer to ride the bike until December, garage it then and then work on the tranmission - but if its something that guys think needs attention ASAP then I may rip it apart sometime this month (its my daily rider).

 

how does it shift up?
does it sit at a light and try to creep on you?

 

Shifts up totally fine. Sometimes it will creep, but not as reliably as it will make the noise. May not even be creeping, may just be part of my imagination. I'll check for creeping.

Sorry for not being much help to that question..

 

no problem.

I am not a wizard on transmissions and clutches on these, but I am learning.
if you are idling and sitting, can you run through the gears?

it might be a simple adjustment (cable stretch) or something that I can't even begin to describe.

 

Sure sounds like the clutch is dragging. Up shifts just seem to go smoother when the clutch isn't fully releasing than a downshift will.

When I ran 20W50 in my 650 I couldn't get the clutch adjusted to a point where it wouldn't do that or slip when the oil was good and hot.

It's also possible the clutch cable is stretching. Might be a sign it's time for a new one.

 

thanks, Carl!
that is what I was thinking, too, but I wasnt 100% sure

 

Mine does this too.

Kind of a "CLUNK" into first. Doesn't creep at all, but has a slight jerk when shifting down from neutral.

 

Josh-
they all do that, but his problem relates more to he has to force it to downshift to the point it sounds like the transmission is going to fall out, jump up and spin-kick him in the stomach.


but I am with Carl, gotta be the cable.

 

The following post on the XS11 website gives a good basic overview of how these trannies actually operate and discusses the first gear clunk issue:

http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/tech-tips ... rview.html

The following thread (on the same site) gives a more detailed explanation and also has pictures:

http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/tech-tips ... ation.html

All that being said, though, I'd have to be both pretty desperate and determined to try repairing worn gears on these trannies, even though the expense and availability of new gearsets can be somewhat astronomical........