Total Motorcycle Community Forums

As you all know, last April my bike was in a crash. It went in for repair and has been unridden since then. (Because my injury prevented me from riding)
A week and a half ago I put my bike on the road and have been doing some short rides.
First gear is giving me grief.

When I come to a stop it often won't go into first;
or; it goes into first and then slips back into neutral;
or; if I start in 1st let's say in a parking lot and I'm maneuvering slowly to get into position to exit the driveway, it will suddenly be in neutral.

I have been coming to a stop and put it into first and saw the light go dark; while I am sitting at the red light it will slip into neutral.
Then.....sometimes, I can't get it to go into first without a lot of effort.

What do you think is the problem? Poorly adjusted from when the bike was in for repair?

Has the oil been changed since you got it back out on the road? An oil change might help flush any accumulated crap out of your tranny.

My .02

mgdavis wrote:Has the oil been changed since you got it back out on the road? An oil change might help flush any accumulated "crumb" out of your tranny.

My .02

Come to think of it...no.

Now that you remind me....It was due for an oil change last year when I had the crash. I was going to do it to get ready for the trip. Consequently, it didn't get done.
When it was in for repair, I asked them to do an oil change...but they forgot....

I'll take care of the oil change and see if that helps.
Thank you for the suggestion (and the reminder).

Which side did it go down on? Likely just a misadjusted clutch or shift lever. If not it could be worse then that... bent shift fork (yikes). Check your clutch lever freeplay and then your shiftshaft area for any signs of damage.

Sev wrote:Which side did it go down on? Likely just a misadjusted clutch or shift lever. If not it could be worse then that... bent shift fork (yikes). Check your clutch lever freeplay and then your shiftshaft area for any signs of damage.

It landed on the shifter side. The floorboard and the shifter were replaced.
So was the clutch lever and the mirror and the handlebars.

It still needs an oil change anyway. I have the oil and filter and o-ring to get it done.

Yeah, definitely do the oil like you're planning on, if it still happens after checking freeplay and all, I'll put money on a misadjusted detent...
Wrider

Wrider wrote:Yeah, definitely do the oil like you're planning on, if it still happens after checking freeplay and all, I'll put money on a misadjusted detent...
Wrider

detent???

OK....I took the bike over to the dealer today. I explained the situation and then the fellow there came out to have a look.
Turns out there are a couple of parts missing. Parts that should have been put back on when the repair was done.
They did a temporary fix until the real parts come in.
Sheesh.....that wasn't the first time those guys did shoddy work. I was hoping to not have to go back to them, but since they did the work...they should fix it.


I got them to do an oil and filter change while I was there, too. The service guy said it wasn't likely the oil was the problem. He confirmed it for himself when he saw that parts were missing.

It was much better on the way home.

Wow. Spare parts after everything gets put back together is never a good thing. I'd have zero motivation to go back to that shop in the future.

Uhhh, what were the parts that were missing? I'd want a detailed accounting if it were me.

I know it's a long ride, but if you want someone to work on your bike whose actually invested in making sure you stay on the road safe and sound I'd be more then happy to help.