Shift trouble

[badboy2003]

Hey Guys, and Gals.... I'm new to this forum and have gotten a lot of useful info to get my 82' XJ1100 running. Thanks for the great posts. Now my problem is in shifting.... I can shift into 1st gear and nutrule just fine with the bike not running. With the bike running, cluch pulled and shift into 1st it grinds going in and kills the bike. I can not get it to shift into any other gear running or not WHY. I don't know anything about bikes maybe it's not sapose to go into 2nd unless I'm riding it???????? Any one able to help with this problem? I like this bike a lot and even though I got it for free, I don't want to give up on her. I've spent too much time in to getting her to run and run good. It's in really good shape. Please help!!!!!!


Tanks everyone...

[rekievit]

...With the bike running, cluch pulled and shift into 1st it grinds going in and kills the bike. ...

I'm no expert but first thing i would check is that your clutch cable is adjusted correctly. Sounds like when you put it into first your doing it without the clutch lever engaged. (im sure you are pulling on the lever what i mean is that there is so much slack somewhere that it is never actually pulling the clutch)
So maybe check the free play adjustment and the adjustment behind the engine plate.

Hopefully if its not this simple thing, someone more knowledgeable will have so more insight.
Good luck.

[trbig]

A bit of grinding is normal with these bikes, but the dieing isn't. The XJ has a safety swith to where if they sidestand is down, it will kill the bike if shifted into gear. Are you trying this with the sidestand down?

Another thing that could be happening is the clutches may be stuck together, and even though the clutch handle is pulled in, it's actually still in gear. When you try to shift, everything is still grabbing, so it's like trying to drop it into gear without a clutch.

Tod

[b.walker5]

Sounds like the clutch isnt disengaging. Check the cable free play at the clutch lever and you may need to adjust the preload on the actuating lever on the engine. Check the tech tips at the top of forum for the correct adjusting procedure.

The manual also refers to broken or warped plates as a possible cause , but adjust everything else first.

From the manual.........

2. Drag or failure to release — This trouble
usually causes difficult shifting and gear clash,
especially when downshifting. The cause may
be excessive clutch lever free play, warped or
bent pressure plate or clutch disc, or broken or
loose linings.

[badboy2003]

I've tried to adjust the cable and it dose not matter all the way in or out or inbetween same thing. I can't figure out why it woun't go into 2nd 3rd 4th or 5th. should it?? That is with and witout the bike running. I would check a book on adjusments but no bike shop can find one. There are no listings for a repair manual on an 82' XJ1100 speciel...

[Tusler]

If the bike has set for a long time and not been run the clutch may be frozen, I've seen it before and had to remove the cover take the clutch apart and soak it with oil as I put it back together.

When the engine is not running and you put it in first gear and pull in the clutch can you push the bike by hand or is everything still engaged?

[badboy2003]

It sat for 5 years. A lot of build up was in the carbs. Man that was not fun cleaning those.... I'll try taking it apart and look at the cluchs and steels see if any are stuck.. Man I'm so close to riding it it's not funny...

[Ken Talbot]

I've tried to adjust the cable and it dose not matter all the way in or out or inbetween same thing. (

That's not actually how you adjust the clutch. You adjust the cable, after the clutch has been adjusted, to give the correct amount of free play.

Here's a link to the Correct Procedure for Adjusting the Clutch

This info is right from the technical section here at the forum.

[fredintoon]

Hi Badboy,
try this:- Take the plugs out, click it into neutral and push the bike along.
It should roll easily like that.
Now, click it into a gear and push. In the lower gears you may need a buddy to help push. The engine should turn over as you push.
Do this in each gear. If the tranny is OK the engine will turn as you push in each gear but won't turn in neutral.
Do the same with the clutch pulled in. If the engine still turns the clutch is stuck.

[badboy2003]

I've done the pushing but can't shift the shifter into anything but nutrule and first gear. Should it beable to shift into all gears if it's not running??????

[trbig]

There are no listings for a repair manual on an 82' XJ1100 speciel

That's because there's no such thing. There were no specials made with the XJ.

As far as shifting to other gears, with the bike stopped and without rocking the trans gears a bit, you shouldn't be able to shift all the gears. Even with the bike running, if you were to pull up to a stop when in 5th without down shifting... then while stopped, try to shift to 1st.. you won't be able to without rocking the bike some. If your clutches are stuck, you won't be able to rock it to get things to move.

I hate to even suggest this... but you could fire the bike up in neutral, push it like you were going to push start it.. then clunk it into 1st and ride it a bit to see if that frees things up. But this can be a little dangerous and I don't know your level of experience.


Tod

[DGXSER]

Why did the PO let it sit for five years? Did they tell you what went wrong that they did not ride it and gave it to you?

Yes, it should be able to shift into all gears without running, however, it will often take some movement of the wheel for it to shift. If you shift into first sittign still, then try to go into second, it may take rolling the bike a bit for it to shift into second from first. Same deal from 2nd to 3rd and so on.

Like Ken was suggesting, did you remove the cover held on with two phillips heads and adjust the clutch freeplay there first? Then adjust the clutch lever freeplay?

If you have made BOTH of those adjustments and still will not disengage, then I would pull it apart. If you have not been in there before, might be a broken star plate or clutch plate as well. More likely to just be sticking though.

[badboy2003]

The bike sat because it was to be used for parts, no other reason. Never got used the other bike got sold. As for the XJ part that I'm not shure on. Big tear drop tank, black, tag said year 11-81 so I thought that ment it was an 82 and some one told me that would make it the XJ. Any how where can I find a repair manual?
For all others thanks so much for all the advise I will try it all and soon will be riding.

[DGXSER]

Tear drop tank sounds like XJ, if it has the side cover and it says Maxim, then it is an XJ. Like Tod stated, the XJ is just the XJ or Maxim. The previous years they made the Standard, Special and Midnight Specials.

[badboy2003]

Side covers do say Maxim.. So I got an XJ 1100 still a nice bike, where do I find a manual for it?