Author Topic: 1-2 gear change (Read 9784 times)

alexanderfitu · « **on:** 29 December 2012, 12:16:28 am »

Hi all

Im still getting used to my 2001 fazer, but gear changes from 1st to 2nd are clunky and occasionally crunch and doesnt engage 2nd properly.

I am pulling the clutch in all the way. My question is if this is normal, I have heard they are clunky, and if it is then im happy

Keep in mind it doesnt jump out of any gears, just fails to engage 2nd sometimes.

xlewisbdx · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 December 2012, 12:37:36 am »

Mine gear box is very clunky. My bike loves neutral when I am pulling away, as soon as I stop it hates it

Also the clunky-ness of my gearbox depends on how high I am changing gear. So If I change at 3-4k it OK Anything higher than 5k and then it becomes clunky.

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 December 2012, 12:39:39 am »

Hmm yeah that is pretty much the same as my experience.

Except for neutral, neutral is easy for me to find when not moving, compared to my honda gearboxes!

I suppose I should get used to it.

Fazerider · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 December 2012, 01:01:55 am »

Unfortunately, yes.. it is the Fazer's Achilles heel.
Something in the gearbox wasn't made quite right... whether it is the shift shaft, the selector drum profile, the selector fork or the gear itself is a mystery to me. By the time the situation gets bad enough to justify splitting the cases to examine the problem, everything has been worn by the gear getting spat out of engagement.
So long as it's only an occasional missed gear then practice and care should make it an increasingly rare event. First to second is the biggest jump in ratios in the box and it all happens much faster so it's the easiest change to cock up.
Getting the position of the gear lever right for you can make a big difference, you may find adjusting it down a couple of millimeters helps, and remember a change of footwear will probably require a re-adjustment to the lever.
Some have found fitting new springs on the shift shaft can improve things: and at least that can be done with the engine in-situ.

darrsi · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 December 2012, 01:54:51 am »

The clunky gear change is part of the bikes character, but that's not saying your clutch might need adjusting, or the cable is on the way out.
Try adjusting it for starters, and if it's no better, buy an original YAMAHA clutch cable, don't buy any old copy, they're nowhere near as good.

Deefer666 · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 December 2012, 10:58:13 am »

Every FZS600 that I have owned (a lot) has had a clunky box. Heavy duty clutch springs help a lot as does regular oil changes with quality oil. So long as it doesnt engage 2nd and then jump it's perfectly normal.... If it does engage and then jumps it points to a selector drum/fork issue.

Skippernick · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 December 2012, 11:03:10 am »

Sounds normal to me. The best thing i did was to concentrate on my gear changes for a couple of long rides.

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 December 2012, 01:52:25 pm »

I may have a worn clutch cable as its taking me a while to get used to the clutch, I think its part of getting used to gearbox as previously mentioned. I will check the clutch cable and the lever position, thanks all.

Deefer666 · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 December 2012, 08:42:43 pm »

It would also help if you removed the sprocket cover and cleaned the chain lube/road gunk out of the clutch push mechanism. I use brake cleaner for this and then once clean relube with a good quality spray grease.... This will make a big difference to the clutch.

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 December 2012, 10:33:47 pm »

Thats a good idea. I had the cover off recently to check the sprocket nut, so will give it a clean and re-lube.

69oldskool · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 December 2012, 09:56:52 am »

Sounds normal for Yamaha, at least with the models i've owned over the years.

Just short shift when going from 1st to 2nd then you can pile it on thereafter.

taylor · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 December 2012, 09:54:59 pm »

my bike is the same, it sounds like a shotgun loading.

limax2 · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 December 2012, 09:27:04 am »

Quote from: taylor on 30 December 2012, 09:54:59 pm

my bike is the same, it sounds like a shotgun loading.

That's a good description of what mine sounds like. With practice and care it gets a bit better, but into first at standstill is always a clunk.
If it's like a shotgun "going off"

it needs sorting!

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 January 2013, 08:50:39 pm »

Funnily Enough when I first rode my bike, I thought, this gear change sounds very rifle like!

As I am riding the bike I am getting more and more used to it.

Hobgoblin · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 April 2013, 03:07:55 pm »

Hi,
My 99 FZS600 is exactly the same. 1st to 2nd at anything above 5k sounds like my wife engaging reverse gear!! It's normal for these apparently, the gearbox is just a bit rough unfortunately on these. I did oil change, clutch cable change, clean out the cable to pushrod actuator, reset and tension all to correct settings and it still does it! As the other guy said, short shift 1st to 2nd every time then give it some beans from then on!!!

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 April 2013, 03:15:05 pm »

I gave up with trying to change it. Like you said its a characteristic of the bike. 1-2 nd at low revs and then rev out

darrsi · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 April 2013, 03:27:49 pm »

Dare i suggest it.........try Activ8

Chris · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 April 2013, 03:34:46 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 29 April 2013, 03:27:49 pm

Dare i suggest it.........try Activ8

No, you may not. Haha, never miss an opportunity with that stuff do you Darrsi

You must be on commision

Either that or you think it really does make a difference. I've never tried it so can't comment.

Chris

darrsi · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 April 2013, 03:40:35 pm »

Quote from: Chris on 29 April 2013, 03:34:46 pm

Quote from: darrsi on 29 April 2013, 03:27:49 pm
Dare i suggest it.........try Activ8

No, you may not. Haha, never miss an opportunity with that stuff do you Darrsi You must be on commision

Either that or you think it really does make a difference. I've never tried it so can't comment.

Chris

Well let's just put it bluntly.......i have a smooth gear change on my bike

Chris · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 April 2013, 03:42:47 pm »

noggythenog · « **Reply #20 on:** 29 April 2013, 05:44:40 pm »

Quote from: Chris on 29 April 2013, 03:34:46 pm

Quote from: darrsi on 29 April 2013, 03:27:49 pm
Dare i suggest it.........try Activ8

No, you may not. Haha, never miss an opportunity with that stuff do you Darrsi You must be on commision

Either that or you think it really does make a difference. I've never tried it so can't comment.

Chris

I tried it,plus i adjusted the foot lever,plus i never try to change gear quickly or at high revs from 1st to 2nd.

All of the above worked wonders

I is chuffed

darrsi · « **Reply #21 on:** 29 April 2013, 10:24:54 pm »

I forgot you tried it Noggy, i'm glad you feel it worked 'cos i'm still convinced it works brilliantly.
I've not heard a bad review of it yet by someone that's actually given it a trial.

noggythenog · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 April 2013, 10:31:18 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 29 April 2013, 10:24:54 pm

I forgot you tried it Noggy, i'm glad you feel it worked 'cos i'm still convinced it works brilliantly.
I've not heard a bad review of it yet by someone that's actually given it a trial.

Thers defo more smotheness on my bikes gear change since sticking it in,& its not jus coz ive changed the oil coz the old oil was basically still brand new when it came out.i did stick some in my car & i was convinced it workedthere to but to be honest i cant feel it any more coz im positive ive got a problem that i cant prove so its totally fikd up my darsi8 experiment...the bike is running sweet though

noggythenog · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 April 2013, 10:35:17 pm »

Quote from: Chris on 29 April 2013, 03:34:46 pm

Quote from: darrsi on 29 April 2013, 03:27:49 pm
Dare i suggest it.........try Activ8

No, you may not. Haha, never miss an opportunity with that stuff do you Darrsi You must be on commision

Either that or you think it really does make a difference. I've never tried it so can't comment.

Chris

Dont worry about chris....he's just bitter coz he doesnt have a bike yet...he's maintained it so much it died

All he needs is a bit o darsi 8 & some blue hoses & bobs yur uncle he'll be back with a vengance!!!

Chris · « **Reply #24 on:** 29 April 2013, 10:41:20 pm »

Hahaha! Wish I had time to work on it to get it finished!! Hate not having my own garage to work in!

If I find my gear changes clunky then I'll give the active8 stuff a try but anything is better than the terrible gearbox that honda put in the cbr125 I learned on. Essentially a gearbox from a motox bike so it would take a lot of beating but you really had to be quite forecfull with it... It was made to be stamped on but not for smoothness...

Chris