First gear issue

[Mom]

I have always been unable to select neutral on my bike while the engine is running despite all the usual ways to make this happen. I either deliberately stall it, or turn the key off then back on and hey presto neutral no problem. Today I have had 2 instances of first gear not engaging fully.

By this I mean I have changed down a couple of gears then braked to a stop at lights and clicked down to first. Take off and the bike slips out of gear and hits neutral with the resulting embarrassing roar of throttle and neutral. The first time I banged it back down to first and off I went. The second time, also taking off from traffic lights, the same thing happened, this time bang in the middle of the intersection with a little bit more speed up, turning right, so I elected to go up for second, but selected a big handful of neutral

Before the first instance I was a bit suspect that I was not in first, so let the clutch out a bit to check and was definately in gear. The second time I got no indication that anything was amiss. The clutch on my bike is worn, so I try not to use it too much on the road, and only really rely on it for starting/stopping. Any ideas why my blue lovely has done this today?

It is 1991 Yamaha Radian. For those that know it is the same engine as in the XJ's of old.

[FJRider]

Sounds like a CLUTCH issue, can it be adjusted any further ???
If it can't it may be the problem...

[98tls]

Have the plates been changed since you have had it MOM?

[Mom]

Sounds like a CLUTCH issue, can it be adjusted any further ???
If it can't it may be the problem...

No it cant be adjusted any further, in fact it is about at the end of any adjustment and there are times it "creeps" when fully engaged. I am aware the clutch is almost dead, perhaps it is actually dead?

Have the plates been changed since you have had it MOM?

No, no work has been done on the clutch since Maha bought it, dont know much about its pedigree prior to be fair. I have a heap of spares that came with it, no clutch plates I dont think.

[piston broke]

ya just gotta time it right and not have to stop
problem solved

[Number One]

Sounds like a CRUTCH issue, can it be adjusted any further ???
If it can't it may be the problem...

That is just uncalled for!

As you were....this is a technical thread so I have nothing of any real value to add except to say that I had the same trouble with the SV (though not QUITE as bad) and moving the sticking point in a bit and fixing up the gear shifter seemed to help.

BTW - HI Mom

[Mom]

ya just gotta time it right and not have to stop
problem solved

Normally not an issue really, but today we went to the shitty city and found the lights, man they are everywhere down there

[98tls]

Many bikes including mine can be a pain in the arse to find neutral when running,still is even with new plates/steels,could possibly be internal and not the plates,methinks inspection required (obviously)good luck doubt it will be a biggie.

[BM-GS]

Could be clutch which doesn't allow the engine & gearbox to disengage properly, or maybe even something silly like the chain being too tight & keeping load on the gearbox if you don't rock it back & forward it a bit.

My $0.02.

[Mom]

Could be clutch which doesn't allow the engine & gearbox to disengage properly, or maybe even something silly like the chain being too tight & keeping load on the gearbox if you don't rock it back & forward it a bit.

My $0.02.

Trust me on this, no amount of rocking, rolling and sharp front braking, letting the clutch out a fraction, going up to 2nd and gently tapping the lever down or anyother method you can employ to help works. The chain tension is fine. Looking like a clutch issue huh?

[piston broke]

Normally not an issue really, but today we went to the shitty city and found the lights, man they are everywhere down there

ah,i see your problem,
i was thinkin you only had 2 sets to deal with.
i'm sure maha can do a crlutch job in a few minutes

[MadDuck]

today we went to the shitty city and found the lights, man they are everywhere down there

And to be honest Mom I hope you get it sorted. I nearly rear ended you as I thought you had taken off.

Hmm Radian run over by a tank....would not make for pretty reading.

[FJRider]

That is just uncalled for!

Some cRutches need MANUAL adjustment... Mom has her OWN "adjuster" and would/should not require my assistance. I thank you for you imput... Should you need advice on cRutch problems... feel free to PM me... I need a laugh...

[Mom]

And to be honest Mom I hope you get it sorted. I nearly rear ended you as I thought you had taken off.

Hmm Radian run over by a tank....would not make for pretty reading.

I know mate, sorry about that, I thought I had taken off too! The second time was even worse, nearly got MICRO

[Little Miss Trouble]

No idea about the first part of the issue lol and probably completely off base with the second part but, oh well.

Sounds sort of similar to an issue I had with my GPX, where I had too much play in the clutch cable and so kept getting a false first gear or having it drop back into nuetral after up shifting. A quick adjustment by the guys at Spectrum and hey presto problem solved