Shifter Gets Stuck In Neutral

[bikerphil]

Maybe someone can help with this....

79 Standard

I'm having trouble shifting down from 2nd to 1st gear. It will stop in neutral and then requires excessive force to go down into 1st. It will do this when the bike is being ridden, and with the engine off. No difference with the clutch in or out. When the engine gets up to operating temperature, the problem totally goes away and shifts like butter. The problem doesn't come back until the engine is cold again.

This motor is high mileage.

The clutch is adjusted properly although it is due for replacement, it has old springs and the extra steel plate, and it will slip occasionally. Also, the 2nd gear alignment mark on the shift pawl under the shifter cover is spot on. The drum pins are all good.

If anyone has any thoughts on this, please chime in. I haven't dug into the bike yet. I've done some searching on this but wasn't able to find anything. Thanks.

[Socer4m]

Hi Phil.....with cold oil and an extra plate I am guessing from past posts that it will be sticky shifting until the plates have enough slippery lube to shift easier. I tried the extra plate way back on a fixer xs and it was hard to shift. I went to barnett springs and new plates and it was a different bike, much smoother shifting. I read others had trouble with synthetic oil so I have always stuck with old cheap dino Walmart 10/40 and zero problems. Just suggesting the extra plate is a temporary fix for worn parts and its time for a clutch redo,,,new plates, new heavy duty springs, no extra plate and you should be a happy xs rider again,,,,keep us informed,,,maybe others will chime in also,,,good luck,, Mike in San Diego and PA.

[LAB3]

Mine started doing the opposite earlier this summer, wouldn't stay in first once it warmed up, now it's gotten to the point in just the last few days where first is pretty much useless even when cold. Is this the dreaded known tranny problem I've heard so much about?

[bikerphil]

I don't think it has anything to do with the clutch. I should be able to rock the bike back and forth without touching the clutch and the shifter should click down into 1st easily. This is where it will stick in neutral when cold.

[speedlimit85]

Mine started doing the opposite earlier this summer, wouldn't stay in first once it warmed up, now it's gotten to the point in just the last few days where first is pretty much useless even when cold. Is this the dreaded known tranny problem I've heard so much about?

If 2nd gear goes you'll know. Sounds like 2 gremlins fighting over which gear to chomp down with no acceleration.

[DEEBS11]

Mine started doing the opposite earlier this summer, wouldn't stay in first once it warmed up, now it's gotten to the point in just the last few days where first is pretty much useless even when cold. Is this the dreaded known tranny problem I've heard so much about?

LAB3, it's possible the gear dogs in first are a little worn from pulling the trailer. Once a problem like that starts, it can only get worse as the dog gets more and more worn with each jump out of gear. Pushing a sidecar can also put a lot of stress on a transmission especially when taking off in first gear on a hill.

[DEEBS11]

https://xs11.club/forum/idle-talk-forum/xs11-xj11-discussion/19966-transmission-1st-2nd-gear-problem-what-is-it

[DEEBS11]

https://xs11.club/forum/idle-talk-forum/xs11-xj11-discussion/1381-popping-out-of-first-gear-need-advice

[LAB3]

I'm guessing there'll be a reason to turn the bike upside down sometime in the near future! It wasn't a big deal until a couple of days ago as it was only an occasional thing. I'm planning a 350+- run mid week down to TN for a music festival with some HOT temps in the forecast, just might have to consider doing it in the dark.

[bikerphil]

Update on this...

Seems like it was a clutch problem after all. There was some major wear on the clutch boss and the basket most likely causing the hangup. Replaced both with low mileage units that I resurfaced with a small file. New frictions and springs and now working perfectly.

[cajun31]

Update on this...

Seems like it was a clutch problem after all. There was some major wear on the clutch boss and the basket most likely causing the hangup. Replaced both with low mileage units that I resurfaced with a small file. New frictions and springs and now working perfectly.

I was thinking the clutch. I recently replaced the friction plates and springs with new barnett parts and I now find that it is difficult to find neutral. I am thinking that after riding for a while things will loosen up a bit and get back to normal.

[bikerphil]

I used the PartsNmore frictions and Tourmax springs. I remember it being said that the Barnett frictions were a bit grabby.