Wisdom needed: Its time for a transmission rebuild

[freak_leg]

Hey Guys,
So I recently bought a 78 xs11, and i love the bike even though its been molested more than most porn stars. But the most serious among its long list of issues is that the transmission doesn't like to down shift, some times it will get stuck between gears with the shifter stuck down, then when i pull it back up it goes to neutral and i have to find the gear i need again. (that was a nice shock the first time it happened and i ended up in first gear at 55mph) Other times it will go down gears but it takes some kicking on the shifter to get 2nd or 1st gear. Now for the 64 million dollar question... do i need to replace everything inside the transmission, or is it something stupid and simple to fix, spacer spring ect?

In either situation i struck gold on ebay every internal transmission component with 25k miles.... $37

What do you guys think??

Thanks

[bikerphil]

There is a torsion spring in there that is probably broken which would cause those symtoms. Yamaha or Bikebandit.com carries them. It's under the left shifter cover.

[Ken Talbot]

This thread about the shift lever return spring might be your answer.

[freak_leg]

Thanks guys that almost has to be my problem!

More questions to come i'm sure

[trbig]

Naw.. I doubt that's it. The whole shebang is probably toast and isn't worth fixing. Let me know where you live, and I'll give you fair market scrap metal price for it and haul it off for you.


Tod

[thewright1]

I'm starting to think I need to rebuild my tranny as well. I just got one off of eBay for a pretty decent price. My gears seem like they take a little bit of work to get to the next gear as opposed to the newer bikes. I haven't driven another bike like mine before to even try and compare the difference, but it's a little stiff when I try. Does anyone know how complicated of a task this is to pull off? I've read the tech notes on it but he really doesn't mention the level of difficulty, just that it was easier to do the second time around.

[dpotter58]

These bikes shift like tractors. The transmission repair for the 1st/2nd gear fix is well outlined in the tech section and not difficult at all.

[thewright1]

Like tractors.. i love it.

[DGXSER]

When shifting an XS11 you have to shift like you mean it!! If you shift to softly and do not completley throw the shift drum, the gear will not fully engage and you end up in a false neutral. Happens to me almost once every time I ride.

So try riding it again and make sure you pull all the way up on every shift and see if you still have issues.

[fredintoon]

These bikes shift like tractors. - - -

Hi '58,
if you are going to quote me, get it right:-
"Shifts like a Russian tractor "

[dpotter58]

These bikes Shift like Russian tractors

[CatatonicBug]

Yep, shifting is definitely not a smooth-flowing operation. There are times when I wonder if people hear me downshift at a stop, and wonder what piece fell off my bike. As long as there is no grinding, or popping out of gear, and a firm kick will get you into first every time, then it's running perfectly!