[lunschi]

Need some advice / ideas where to look next. My 1198 started to be difficult to downshift this spring. Upshifts are normal and smooth but shifting down it seems like the shift lever is locking up halfway through the shift and it requires a daft kick to make it downshift.

All gears are affected. When the engine is cold the problem is almost gone but when she warms up the trouble starts. I am pretty sure the clutch is not the problem because a) the clutch works fine, disengages and does like it should and b) the problem can be felt even when bike and engine are stationary by just shifting up and down the gears in standstill. The problem came slowly and got worse to the point where I am contemplating a complete engine teardown.

I have checked and readjusted the shift mechanism behind the left engine cover to workshop manual specs but there was no improvement. There were no broken springs and everything seemed to be fine...

Any ideas what the problem could be? A bent shift fork? Sticking shift detent? Any idea what I could do next (short of tearing it down)?

Kai

 

[nlzmo400r]

The first step would be to check chain tension and lubrication. This can effect shifting, but typically not only in one direction. Also check the rearset for free movement/binding.

Second, remove the stator cover and check the shift mechanism. These sometimes require adjustment to accurately grab the shift drum in the correct spot.

Beyond that, the cases need to come apart to check the shift drum itself, forks etc.

I will say if it effects all gears, it’s likely to be an adjustment of some sort, not the drum or shift forks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigbadbass2]

shift shaft return spring broken?

 

[belter]

gear lever hitting the swingarm? bolts loose? if it's in all gears i'd be suspicious of the outside bits.

 

[lunschi]

Downshift problems

Thanks for the input so far.
The obvious things (clutch, external linkage) were checked in the first place without result.
I also removed the alternator cover and checked and adjusted the internals which also did not improve anything...

Remember it is not missed shifts or something its like the lever gets stuck halfway through the (down-) shift.

Kai