[User Name]

A bike a friend of mine is possibly interested in buying apparently has some sort of transmission problem. The seller says that it slips only when it's in second gear, all other gears are fine. I assume that because it only happens in one gear, and no others, it rules out a clutch problem. Any ideas what else it could be, and am I correct in assuming the case would likely need to be opened to fix it? If so, he'll probably pass on the bike.

Thanks!

 

[ApriliaSL]

Could still just be a worn clutch.

 

[ApriliaSL]

To clarify. If there were some sort of problem with the engagement of 2nd gear my understanding is that it will simply jump out of gear. Slip under heavy acceleration indicates a worn clutch, despite only showing up in one gear.

 

[kevin_stevens]

Any time the engine speed doesn't match the road speed, it's always a clutch problem. There's no real way for a transmission to fail where it still drives the bike but is "slipping".

If the engine doesn't drive the bike at all - anything from "doesn't go" to intermittent jerks in a single gear - it's probably a transmission problem.

KeS

 

[binx_19]

maybe he just sucks at shifting into second over neutral.

 

[HiSpeed48]

out of curiosity, is it a '99-'02 R6?

 

[Optimus Leo]

out of curiosity, is it a '99-'02 R6?

Or maybe a 90's YZF600 Thundercat? I've heard those bikes have a common 2nd gear problem.

 

[User Name]

Thanks guys, I'm hearing the symptoms relayed through several different people, so I'm not sure if by "slipping" the guy means it's a smooth slip (clutch) or a on-off slip into and out of gear (transmission). I'll try to speak to the seller myself... The bike only has 16,000 miles on it, so unless someone slipped the ever living hell out of the clutch every time they started off, I wouldn't think the plates should be that worn (assuming it's a clutch problem). Maybe it's just out of adjustment.

It's actually a cruiser - '02 Vulcan 800, my friend is looking for a decent first bike to learn on.

 

[ApriliaSL]

Promise you it's just the clutch.

 

[ADR3NALINE FIX]

Not just a clutch. If it was the clutch, it would slip in the high gears under heavy power, ALL the time.

Slipping in and out of 2nd gear poses a problem for a lot of motorcycles. Throttle happy riders who make hard, redlined shifts from first to 2nd cause a lot of wear. Sometimes, (like in my case) a snap ring on the gear shaft brakes/comes loose and allows the gears themselves to slide a certain distance. Sometimes (also in my case) you can even crack the main gear bearing.

There will be a few riders repeating information that they heard on here saying it could be the "shift fork", which in 99% of the cases is just the aftermath of the gears being "out of whack".

A common problem with sportbikes is stunting- and what it does to your transmission. My 1st and 2nd gear wore on the deacceleration side, causing them to skip in and out of gear.

It's not a cheap, nor easy fix. Make the seller replace the clutch...if it doesn't solve it, don't buy the bike.

*Actual pictures of my shift fork, main trans bearning (cracked), and my 2nd gear (see how the deaccel side is worn?)**

 

[BusaOrBust]

Could be the shift fork.

 

[Veefer97]

This is not a clutch problem. The engine cases need to be split and the bad gears and possibly shift forks replaced. Total bill; around $1.5-2K

 

[fire]

Could be the shift fork.

Doesn't that effect 5th gear as well?

 

[kangkong]

Don't know if this will help. There's a number of people with the same problem on their 05zx6r myself included. It ended up being worn dog gears. In my case I stopped using full synthetic and just used synthetic blend and it's fine. It only affected 2nd gear it'll pop out of 2nd and back to neutral.

I'd tell your friend to stay away from it.

 

[Royal Tiger]

Old ZX-6's (early to mid 1990's) have the same issue. If you don't do the work yourself, it gets expensive quick.

 

[HiSpeed48]

notice the rounded off dogs. makes it easier for the gears to back out and "slip"

 

[Rnlgldr900]

Could still just be a worn clutch.

I

Promise you it's just the clutch.

Its not the clucth i just replaced it with a new one and my 2nd gear only slips amd catches everytime i reving my engine lets figure this out

 

[Rnlgldr900]

Could still just be a worn clutch.

No no and no i changed my clutch and it works fine the gear dogs or forks or gear drum might be bad or the seal or rings on the mainshaft or countershaft

 

[Darkstar]

This is not a clutch problem. The engine cases need to be split and the bad gears and possibly shift forks replaced. Total bill; around $1.5-2K

+1

had this happen to me on a 02 gix6. i didnt have a problem on the test ride. the problem progressively got worse. found an engine on ebay, fixed the old one and sold it.

definitely pass on the bike. the project is not weekend warrior friendly.