Need Transmission, I Think

[ToddOsborne]

Hi all. I am new to the group and am considering purchasing a 1980 XS11 from a neighbor. I have owned a 79 XS750 in the past and am pretty familiar with that bike. This particular bike is in great condition, this guy bought it new in 1980. It looks almost new and has been well cared for. However, it has some common tranny issues that scare me off. 5th gear is not working, it won't shift into fifth. When I test rode it, it popped out of 2nd. I am wondering what the best way to tackle this would be, or if I should avoid the bike altogether. My mechanical skills are pretty good, but I know nothing about tranny's, other that what I have read here. I could likely swap the transmission easier than repairing the existing one, but again, I don't know all the details. Are rebuilt/good tranny's available, do any of you have one you would be willing to part with? I want a good riding bike, not a show bike, and the price is definately good, less than $300 and the rest of the bike is great. Just wondering if I should avoid this bike or go ahead and learn XS tranny repairs. Thanks,

Todd

[mn2346]

2nd gear is a known problem but not fatal. Can be even fixed without additional parts (usually).

5th gear issue might be serious or then it might just be a case of something not aligned properly inside....
However opening one of these boxes is not that hard, just don't lose any of the parts and buy a good maintenance help book (Clymer or Haynes...) before you start the repair.

Gear box replacement is not an option but it is possible to change the parts inside. Ebay is helpfull and the Classified Ads on the left side of this page.

-M

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Todd,

Check out the tech tips section, Repairs, Tranny, you'll find several on the 1st and 2nd gear problem. 5th gear meshes with 2nd, could be a problem with the dogs, could be a bent shift fork, could be a missing pin on the end of the shift drum that the shift pawl needs to grab to rotate the drum to move the fork to slide the gear into 5th!!! You really won't know until you tear into it which CAN be done without splitting the enginen cases or pulling the engine! It sounds like a worthwhile venture if the bike is in as good a condition as you describe!!! Good Luck!
T.C.

[ToddOsborne]

Thanks, and I bought it!

Thanks for everyones help. I offered the guy $300 for bike last night and after a long "thinking about it", he took it. He bought the bike new in 80, so this has been his baby for 24 years now. It will get a good home. I will get the bike this week and might have some time to do some basic work on it, probably won't be able to take a look at the tranny until next week, so expect more questions then Thanks again for your help.

Todd