5/81 XJ 750---5NI--- gear select issue

[Steptoe]

am looking at working on a 750, which is having gear selecting issues,,

the fella's not long bought it, so I don't know the history or the bike

currently it's in 1st, won't move out of gear into neutral, will go straight past nuetral into 2nd, when it does move which takes some doing, almost got to give it a hiding, then will go for days before the problem shows up again

am I looking at the same pin that moves in the xs's in the selector claw behind the cover, or is there some thing else to look for

externally all seems well, no movement on the shaft splines

[jwhughes3]

bent fork?

Maybe the fork is bent? On cars that have trouble shifting a bent fork is a likely culprit.

John

[Steptoe]

I left the word simple out of the text,,

"something as simple as the loose pin on ours"

before I open and start pulling apart

[GeezyRider]

shifting

When was the oil changed and what kind of oil do you use?

[MacMcMacmac]

This is a common problem with XJ's. The auxiliary drive chain has a rubber guide like a cam chain guide, except it is fixed in place. After many years or miles, it tends to break up and chunks of it goes into the motor. Usually, the owner of the afflicted bike does not know about this until his bike gets stuck in first gear. There is the long fix (tear the motor apart, retrieve pieces, install new guide) and there is a short fix. The short fix usually works, but leaves you without an auxiliary chain guide. Happily, many owners state that you can run the bike just as well without one. By the time the stretch of the auxiliary chain lets it reach the cases, it's probably due for a major engine job anyway. The short fix involves removing the left side transmission cover and breaking up and retrieving the bits of rubber inside the engine case. It has been done successfully on the side of the road by riders left stranded, so it can't be too hard to do. Drop a line over at XJ Bikes and ask around.

[Steptoe]

exactly

that's was the prob mate,, spot on diagnosis,, was able to pull the broken off piece out thru a hole in the casting behind the gear shift side cover,, all good now,,

glad that's all it was,, wasn't looking forward to the BIG job

[MacMcMacmac]

Hey, that's great news. I used to own a very tidy XJ900, and an unlamented XJ Turbo, so I am somewhat familiar with them.