Problem changing down gears on 1150GS

[condob]

I have a 2002 1150GS (52k miles) and it has just developed a problem when changing down gear. The problem usually occurs when in 4th, 5th or 6th gear, and only seems to select a lower gear when you speed up(!) for the cogs to re-engage. Bit scary when I'm trying to slow down! Example: I have slowed down in traffic, stuck in 5th gear and the only way to clear it is to find a clear bit of road to speed up in order to change down to 4th, then repeat procedure to change down to 3rd etc.
Has anyone else suffered this problem and if so please can you advise what the outcome was?

 

[Stewart H]

Some folks massively improve the gearchange by removing the lever/pivot and lubricating it, try a search on the subject, and Welcome to UKGSer

 

[PW Cymru]

Some folks massively improve the gearchange by removing the lever/pivot and lubricating it, try a search on the subject, and Welcome to UKGSer

I'll second that

and Welcome

 

[davegs]

Gears

If the lube dosent work try bigger boots! (sure it will) Don't for get the gear lever pivot is securd with the dreaded locktight so you will ned to heat it up get it nioce and warm and should come undone ok. Usualy gets worse when you've been riding in the rain, good luck it's happend to us all.
dave GS

 

[Pixter]

Mine's doing it at the moment too....bloody infuriating.
Tomorrow will see a strip down and lube of the linkage, I'm also going to change the clutch fluid as I understand that can also cause shifting problems. If only the bleed nipple grub screw hadn't rounded out, I'd have done it last week! Oh well, out with the stud extractors.

Good luck!

 

[Roadcaptain]

Did mine last week took about 30 mins and is now as good as gold

 

[Pixter]

Sorted out mine yesterday....you really do have to heat up that housing don't ya!!!?

Anyway, got it sorted, greased and it's smooth as silk now!

 

[ChrisH Kerry]

Sorted out mine yesterday....you really do have to heat up that housing don't ya!!!?

Dunno - I didn't bother and came off ok

 

[Pixter]

Dunno - I didn't bother and came off ok

Maybe I need to eat more spinach!

 

[Roadcaptain]

didn't heat mine either

 

[magicstu]

Just done mine,
Thanks guys, that paid for the subscription in 10 minutes.

It's amazing how your brain thinks "gearbox/clutch overhaul" before the easy stuff like "lever pivot needs a bit of TLC"

Oh, and as it seems to be a survey, needed to heat mine up as well ..

 

[montloaf]

Pictures

Some folks massively improve the gearchange by removing the lever/pivot and lubricating it,

Anybody got any pictures of this?

 

[Uncle Rob]

this any good

 

[Stuttgartmetal]

eh?

Hi Guys,
first post for me, so be gentle.

Ive got a problem engaging 2nd.

Im going to give this a go before I submit it to Vines.
Can anyone just go through the process.

1. Undo the securing nut. Is it an allen key fitting?
2 Remove the .........
3 Lube with.......
4 Refit is reversal etc.

Bear with me, Im a thicko.

 

[magicstu]

Hi Guys,
first post for me, so be gentle.

Ive got a problem engaging 2nd.

Im going to give this a go before I submit it to Vines.
Can anyone just go through the process.

1. Undo the securing nut. Is it an allen key fitting?

It's a countersunk allen bolt, at the rear of the lever, might need heat to free it up,

2 Remove the .........
Spring clip on the linkage, between the gearbox and lever, tiny clip at the base of the vertical rod, spin it round then lift it out, oh and put it somewhere safe, they always go missing when you kick it !!,
The lever should fall straight off now

Tap out the metal sleeve where the bolt goes thru, and between that and the lever are 2 carbon coloured top hats, it's those that need cleaning/lubing

3 Lube with.......
grease, not wd40, only a bit, or it will collect more crud

4 Refit is reversal etc.

yep, do em up tight tho, and a bit of threadlock, if you got some.

That's what I've been doing anyway, had to do it about 3 times in the last 12 months ( 14,000 miles), so if i'm doing it wrong, i'd like to know as well

It's a 10 minute job once you've got used to it, and makes it feel like a new gearbox.

I'm sure there is a post with an exploded diagram of the linkage components somewhere on here, someone will point you in the right direction,


Bear with me, Im a thicko.

hope it helps

 

[Stuttgartmetal]

err..

I think I am going to like it here.

Lollage.

 

[metropolis2k]

Mine was repeatedly sticking (to the point where the lever would get stuck down and I'd have to physically lift it with my foot before I could change again). I'd cleaned it and re-greased it many times so I ended up taking a little bit off the plastic inside the pivot with some sand paper. Solved the issue permanently.

That said, I do get down-changes that are almost impossible sometimes where I need to re-engage the clutch and try again (or blip the throttle). Only started happening about a year ago and never quite got the bottom of it.