27-07-12, 10:07 AM
Gearbox problems are not unusual on the FZS600.
Second gear is the one most likely to have difficulty engaging fully. If it doesn't go in solidly it tends to drop out into a false neutral, damaging the dogs further each time this happens.
The first engine I had was a bit prone to this, but it was manageable... I could usually tell whether the clunk as I changed up from first was solid enough, if it felt dodgy I'd back off and try again or short-shift up to third.
My second engine was an absolute pup. Bought it second hand off a guy who'd bought it to replace his own (which had second gear problems), but he'd never got round to fitting it. So I couldn't really complain when it turned out that second gear on it was totally shagged- would not only drop out of gear if you asked it to transmit more than about one horsepower, but made it a fight to get past second up into third.
I replaced that one a couple of years ago with one from South-West Motorcycle Salvage, just asked if he knew the box on the engine he was flogging on eBay was good- he said he couldn't vouch for it, but had another one which, though high-ish mileage, was good. And he was as good as his word, it's turned out to be fine and has done a total of around 60,000 miles.
I agree with the other comments: it's certainly worth getting back to the seller about it even if it was a private sale.
The last thing I'd do is attempt to repair the box, it's a massive task unless you're used to doing that sort of job. Swapping an engine is hard enough work for most people.
Second gear is the one most likely to have difficulty engaging fully. If it doesn't go in solidly it tends to drop out into a false neutral, damaging the dogs further each time this happens.
The first engine I had was a bit prone to this, but it was manageable... I could usually tell whether the clunk as I changed up from first was solid enough, if it felt dodgy I'd back off and try again or short-shift up to third.
My second engine was an absolute pup. Bought it second hand off a guy who'd bought it to replace his own (which had second gear problems), but he'd never got round to fitting it. So I couldn't really complain when it turned out that second gear on it was totally shagged- would not only drop out of gear if you asked it to transmit more than about one horsepower, but made it a fight to get past second up into third.
I replaced that one a couple of years ago with one from South-West Motorcycle Salvage, just asked if he knew the box on the engine he was flogging on eBay was good- he said he couldn't vouch for it, but had another one which, though high-ish mileage, was good. And he was as good as his word, it's turned out to be fine and has done a total of around 60,000 miles.
I agree with the other comments: it's certainly worth getting back to the seller about it even if it was a private sale.
The last thing I'd do is attempt to repair the box, it's a massive task unless you're used to doing that sort of job. Swapping an engine is hard enough work for most people.