2nd gear fix explained

[Shuriken]

After riding today, and going through the gears pretty quick, I began wondering what the 2nd gear fix does. I can't ever get a smoothe shift into 2nd on my bike no matter what I try - when riding quick. If I'm just taking it easy I can hit second really nicely.

In simple terms, what does the 2nd gear fix do? Does it just make the gear mesh more solid? Is there anything that can fix the clunking/grindage going into 2nd from the 2nd gear fix?

Ben

[strom]

The 2nd gear fix...
Read the tech tips section on the mechanics. Basically it fixes the problem, when the bike pops out of 2nd gear under hard acceleration. You might want to adjust the clutch a bit... change the oil... think bout additives (QMI or sth), stuff like that. But keep in mind, its not a honda.

LP

[Jerry]

The XS/XJ gearbox is clunky. No real fix. The "2nd gear fix" is to replace or repair worn gears, specificaly the 2nd and 5th gear pair. In my case, 2nd gear would "skip" as the gears disengaged and re-engaged under load.

In addition to replacing or repairing the gears, there is discussion about moving a washer to the other side of one of the gears.This increaes the engagement, helping to minimize the chance they will 'skip" in the future. New gears also have the dogs undercut (tapered) a couple degrees to help pull the gears together. You can taper old gear dogs to get the same effect.

This problem crops up on other Yamahas of the same general age, as it was due to a design philosophy rather than a specific bike problem.

[strom]

AFAIK the washer thing pays off in drag bikes. No need to mess with it if you're at least a semi-normal rider. AFAIK installing new cogs eliminates the need for washer moving.

LP