Difficulty changing down 1150GS

[Dave-Churchill]

Riding into work this morning, and noticed it was difficult to change down the gear box. Had to really stamp on the gear lever to make sure it would get into gear. At one jnc had a real problem and could only get her into 3rd....
Never experienced this on my bike before, normally gear changes are silky smooth and no problems. oil level is correct and bike only stood for one day prior to today.....
Any idea what might be causing this slight difficulty...? is there something more sinister lurkiing in the box ....?

 

[MattW]

First thing to look for is the gearlever pivot bush binding - strip it down, clean and grease this bush and the rest of the linkage (make sure you remove the bush and not just the bolt which goes through the centre of the bush).

 

[Dave-Churchill]

Thanks for the advice Matt, nice little job for me when i get home...

 

[Aidan1150]

Dave, the gear linkage gets clogged up with dirt and road grime. It is an easy job to strip, clean and grease the linkages. 15 minutes and you will feel a big difference.

This pic may help;

 

[John Armstrong]

Is the "sticky gear lever" taking over from the " I took the tank off and the bike is running like sh1t now" as the one to catch out people?

 

[davegs]

Gear lever

Don'tr for get the allen bolt holding on the pedel pivot is put on with lock tight, heat it up with an air gun before attempting to remove it it is TIGHT!!!.
dave gs.

 

[hops]

as Aidan said above

check the gear linkage before you get the big hammer out! The bolts on the ball joint bits also have a habit of loosening off replicating these symptoms.

 

[Dave-Churchill]

Thanks for all your advice folks, sprayed some WD 40 on the linkage as a temporary measure until Sat/Sun when i''ll have more time to get it sorted.
seems a little better.....

 

[daddybear]

gears

i have just had the very same fault with ma bike 2night . i am going 2 strip it down , but the fault seems 2 come and go . i will let you all know how i get on ,cheers onyack

 

[trangwales]

First thing to look for is the gearlever pivot bush binding - strip it down, clean and grease this bush and the rest of the linkage (make sure you remove the bush and not just the bolt which goes through the centre of the bush).

Thanks Matt - had the same problem. Not keen on coasting roundabouts in 5th! Squirt of WD40 helped till I could get the lever off. Just stripped and cleaned and regreased, and now like new.
Ta Mate