gear box

[jeff]

Hi All. I have a1100GS and just lately when high revvng in second it has been know to jump out of gear. Do I need to sort it now or can it be ignored for a while? If ignoring is not an option should I go for a reconditioned box or can it be fixed? Any idea of cost? Thanks in anticipation,

 

[boxer]

If it were me I think I'd try and have it looked ASAP.

By acting quickly you could prevent any further damage. For all you know the gearbox could be about to detonate and lock the transmission.

Try draining the gearbox oil and check for any metal.

 

[Alex]

I bet your 1100 is an early model between 94-96. All early bikes developed that problem which was later cured in the 97 bikes. It becomes more obvious in situations of higher loads (two up or going up hills or using full power). You have three solutions really, the first is to take it easy in second and third (if it does not do it in third yet, it soon will) and use higher gears. The second is to have the box rebuilt. It's gonna cost you money and you can not be sure as to when the problem will appear again. In mine it reapeared after 10,000 miles. The third is to find a used gearbox from a post 97 bike, and swap it with yours. You have to make sure the gearbox is in good order if you follow this path.

 

[Sea Lion]

I was chatting to Motorworks the other day and they reckon the gearbox is the only weak spot on pre-97 1100's. In their experience they were saying that having the gearbox rebuilt often does not cure the problem or only makes it marginally better, The Post 97 boxes were generally beefed up and are pretty well indestructible.
As the owner of a pre-97 1100, the gearbox is prone to little 'odd moments'. Personally I would live with it until it becomes a pain. In fact, most Haynes manuals reckon the older boxes often develop oddities and living with them is not normally a problem. Unless you have serious concerns about substantial wear and sudden failure it might be worth seeing how it goes. Most don't give hassle for 50-70k miles.

You pays your money and takes your choice. Not a cause for panic though IMO.

 

[ktmmark]

Have a look @ this link
http://www.roadkill.com/~davet/moto/trans.articles.html

 

[Sea Lion]

Have a look @ this link
http://www.roadkill.com/~davet/moto/trans.articles.html

Thanks for that ktmmark, I found it quite interesting (Sad I know!).

It would suggest problems that develop are due to design rather than components wearing out. In which case if you can live with the box then it is probably the cheapest/best option.

 

[jeff]

Gearbox

Thanks All for the response, really grateful. Yes it is a 96 model and it does only slip out of gear when going up hill fully loaded. Can it really mess up the transmission?? Any one got any idears what would be the cost of a good post 96 gear box and have you got to be a mechanic to change one? Thanks again..

 

[Alex]

No idea on prices. I was quoted something like 1000 euros for a used post 97 box, but that was three years ago and in Greece. Changing it is a bit of a pain, as it's not a standard cartridge type bike box, but a car type box, which is separate from the engine. Pretty much everything on the bike from the middle backwards has to come off. I don't know how long it will take or how difficult it is, as I have never done it myself, but I have seen bikes in the middle of the process and they were literally in pieces.