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  • #1

    Transmission woes.

    I took my first ride on this bike today and noticed right away that I have common transmission problems. I was aware that these bikes have 2nd and 5th gear issues, but am wondering if there's anything else I should do while I'm in there to prevent future issues.

    Here's what the bike does. I can grab 2nd, but it pops out, I can't get into 5th at all, and when I slow down I have difficulties getting into 1st unless I'm going slow enough.

    I see the tech tips for 2nd and 5th, but I'm wondering if I may also have an issue with 1st, or maybe it's related to the 2nd gear problem? How much money do you think I'll be into this transmission fix for? Do I need any specialty tools?

    Oh, this is an XJ1100.
    "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

    Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I would touch up all the gear dogs/slots on the countershaft while you are in there. The 5th gear not going in at all could also be a missing pin on the shift drum, fairly common problem. Cost for repairing the transmission is usually pretty low, just some dremel grinding stones and some RTV to put it all back together. If you plan on flipping the bike upside down for the repair, I would remove the oil pan first, you don't really want metal chips from your damaged gears falling back in the engine. Don't forget to relocate the washer to the other side of 2nd gear.
    2H7 (79) owned since '89
    3H3 owned since '06

    "If it ain't broke, modify it"

    ☮

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
      I took my first ride on this bike today and noticed right away that I have common transmission problems. I was aware that these bikes have 2nd and 5th gear issues, but am wondering if there's anything else I should do while I'm in there to prevent future issues.

      Here's what the bike does. I can grab 2nd, but it pops out, I can't get into 5th at all, and when I slow down I have difficulties getting into 1st unless I'm going slow enough.

      I see the tech tips for 2nd and 5th, but I'm wondering if I may also have an issue with 1st, or maybe it's related to the 2nd gear problem? How much money do you think I'll be into this transmission fix for? Do I need any specialty tools?

      Oh, this is an XJ1100.
      I bought a used trans from andreas for cheap. Only "special" tool you need is a torque wrench, torx bits, and a soft mallet if I remember correctly.

      Not a hard job, and there are TONS of walkthroughs and pics on these forums. Just take your time.
      78 E

      Comment

      • #4
        I had heard about the dremel fix but didn't know what it meant. So all I really have to do is grind the dogs and slots so they pull towards each other huh? I can do that. Will it increase the life of my tranny if done right? What about downshifting? It doesn't seem like it would effect it at all, just curious.

        The tech tips look great, I can't wait to get this thing fixed now.
        "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

        Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

        Comment

        • #5
          I have 3 standards and a special for a parts bike. I have been luck to NEVER have the dreaded transmission problems. I am knocking on wood, real hard.
          Skids (Sid Hansen)

          Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

          Comment

          • #6
            After reading up on it. I almost think my downshift problem into first could be related to the dogs on 4th gear in combination with whatever is causing it to miss 5th. Does that sound right to those of you who have been in one of these cases?
            "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

            Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

            Comment

            • #7
              I don't suppose it could be that synthetic oil huh?

              2nd gear is most definitly rounded dogs on the 5th gear wheel (engage for 2nd). Just by what your saying I would guess that the star that holds the pins in on the shift drum is broken and the pin for 5th gear has fallen out.
              Greg

              Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

              ― Albert Einstein

              80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

              The list changes.

              Comment

              • #8
                The 2nd gear skipping like a machine gun is the dreaded dremel fix, not so dreaded once you have done one...or two...or five.

                The not going into 5th is probably not anythign to do with skipping dogs on the gears, but like has been suggested could be a slipped pin on the shift drum.

                The not going down to first, well that could be related to the 5th gear issue.
                Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

                When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

                81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
                80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


                Previously owned
                93 GSX600F
                80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
                81 XS1100 Special
                81 CB750 C
                80 CB750 C
                78 XS750

                Comment

                • #9
                  I'll see if I can find a pic of that.

                  Oh, I have no idea what kind of oil the PO ran. It hasn't been ridden since 2003 and synthetic wasn't quite so popular just yet. Could be that conventional stuff that did this, hehe.
                  "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

                  Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    When you pull off your shifter cover, what you're looking for is what I have labelled #1 here.









                    That little washer on the outside has 5 little arms that are easily bent. Those 5 little arms are holding 5 pins in their respective holes. If one of those little tabs (Arms) gets bent, it lets the pins drop out. Might be a bent or hanging pin making 1st gear a pain also. Heck.. may have several of them messed up/bent and not have any actual gear problems at all, it just might not be letting the shift drum get rotated to the right spot. Doubtful it's your whole problem, but likely it's part of it. If one of the pins is missing, it might still be there either in the shifter cover or down at the bottom there where you can see it. Otherwise, you'll have to pull the oil pan to get to it.. which you will have to do anyway if the gears are messed up.
                    Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

                    You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

                    Current bikes:
                    '06 Suzuki DR650
                    *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
                    '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
                    '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
                    '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
                    '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
                    '81 XS1100 Special
                    '81 YZ250
                    '80 XS850 Special
                    '80 XR100
                    *Crashed/Totalled, still own

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      I'm definitely gonna check that first. Thanks for the input.
                      "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

                      Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Fyi

                        Yard Dog.....THere is a trans set on Ebay for 100.00. Just lett-en ya know.
                        At this time:
                        1985 Goldwing Innr.
                        1976 cb 750 cafe racer
                        2007 vtx 1300
                        81 sx 1100 s h
                        81 sx 400 special

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          I have a 'star' washer if you need one. Free
                          XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by James England View Post
                            I have a 'star' washer if you need one. Free

                            Just 29.95 to send it over the big pond? lol.

                            Nice offer, James. Unless the little arms are axtually broke off, I've seen several just bent back into shape with no ill-effects.
                            Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

                            You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

                            Current bikes:
                            '06 Suzuki DR650
                            *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
                            '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
                            '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
                            '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
                            '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
                            '81 XS1100 Special
                            '81 YZ250
                            '80 XS850 Special
                            '80 XR100
                            *Crashed/Totalled, still own

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Hey James, good to hear from you...I was just wondering last night where you had gone off to.

                              John
                              John is in an anonymous city with an Alamo (N29.519227,W-98.678980)

                              Go ahead, click on the bikes - you know you want to...the electrons are ready.
                              '81 XS1100H - "Enterprise"
                              Bob Jones Custom Navy bike: Tkat brace, EBC floating rotors & SS lines, ROX pivot risers, Geezer rectifier, new 3H3 engine

                              "Not all treasure is silver and gold"

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