bike doenst wanna shift down

[New2GZ]

i have an 05 GZ with 332 miles. i bought it used. when i bought it, it had 30 miles on it. yes it is not a typo. 30 miles only. the first couple miles the bike seemed good. but after i hit 100 miles, the bike started very hard to down shift. the only way i could down shift was that i have to let the the clutch lever by 1/2 and then pull back then shift down. this seems not normal to me. any idea? thanks for any input :)

[blaine]

i have an 05 GZ with 332 miles. i bought it used. when i bought it, it had 30 miles on it. yes it is not a typo. 30 miles only. the first couple miles the bike seemed good. but after i hit 100 miles, the bike started very hard to down shift. the only way i could down shift was that i have to let the the clutch lever by 1/2 and then pull back then shift down. this seems not normal to me. any idea? thanks for any input :)
Check your oil level & your clutch cable adjustment.
:) :cool:

[alantf]

Have you done an oil & filter change? If not, then it's possible that the bike was sitting all that time with the same oil in it. This could be your problem, & if you haven't already done this, then it needs it anyway. :)

[frempath]

If that isn't the problem, check the chain tension. I have noticed that chain tension has an effect on how mine shifts. 300 miles on a new chain could have given it some break in stretch.

[New2GZ]

i have an 05 GZ with 332 miles. i bought it used. when i bought it, it had 30 miles on it. yes it is not a typo. 30 miles only. the first couple miles the bike seemed good. but after i hit 100 miles, the bike started very hard to down shift. the only way i could down shift was that i have to let the the clutch lever by 1/2 and then pull back then shift down. this seems not normal to me. any idea? thanks for any input :)
Check your oil level & your clutch cable adjustment.
:) :cool:

i did that but seemed nothing changed

[New2GZ]

Have you done an oil & filter change? If not, then it's possible that the bike was sitting all that time with the same oil in it. This could be your problem, & if you haven't already done this, then it needs it anyway. :)

the previous owner changed the oil last November 2010. since he changed it he never rode the bike at all. i rode the bike for the couple of miles. since i knew that something was not right, i changed the oil and nothing happened. same problem.

the bike has this problem when the engine is really hot. when it;s cold, i dont have this issue. i dont know if i have to take it to a professional.

thanks
E

[New2GZ]

If that isn't the problem, check the chain tension. I have noticed that chain tension has an effect on how mine shifts. 300 miles on a new chain could have given it some break in stretch.

how hard is it to readjust the chain tensioner. sorry for stupid question. im noob with bike maintenance but not with riding experience. thnaks

[blaine]

how hard is it to readjust the chain tensioner. sorry for stupid question. im noob with bike maintenance but not with riding experience. thnaks
Not difficult.You loosen the rear axle nut & turn the adjusters in or out to loosen or tighten the chain.Make sure the adjustment marks are the same on both sides.You should have between 1/2" & 9/16" slack in the center of the chain.
:) :2tup:

[Gz Rider]

...

[Water Warrior 2]

While you are down there you should squirt a little chain lube into the little rubber booties on the shifter linkage. After being basically parked for 6 years the parts might be rusted or corroded from lack of use.
Nobody asked what oil you poured in. Brand and weight please.

[tcrave]

If you are having troubles into 1st gear, I don't think these bikes are synchro'd into first gear. Just shift into first before you stop or roll 6 inches then shift. If you are having a problem with all gears, then you may have a different problem. Also, as far as tightening the chain, I have found the easiest way is to just hold a wrench on the side with the muffler, then use a ratchet with a socket on the other side. Make sure you use a torque wrench when tightening it back up.

[Water Warrior 2]

If you are having troubles into 1st gear, I don't think these bikes are synchro'd into first gear. Just shift into first before you stop or roll 6 inches then shift. If you are having a problem with all gears, then you may have a different problem. Also, as far as tightening the chain, I have found the easiest way is to just hold a wrench on the side with the muffler, then use a ratchet with a socket on the other side. Make sure you use a torque wrench when tightening it back up.
Good catch tcrave. No one asked when he was having shifting problems. One must always shift into 1st just before coming to a stop.
To the original poster: is this the situation ? Your problem only concerns shifting down to 1st from neutral ? You should not be in neutral while waiting in traffic.

[Water Warrior 2]

New2GZ. You probabbly don't want to hear this but here goes. The tires are 6 or 7 years old on your bike. A safe rule of thumb is replace them every 5 years whether they are worn or not. Rubber does dry out and get harder than it should be. You will eventually need traction and there will not be any. Very dangerous. Others on the forum can chime in and suggest a good replacement that is actually new and grippy. Ya gotta ride safe.

[New2GZ]

If you are having troubles into 1st gear, I don't think these bikes are synchro'd into first gear. Just shift into first before you stop or roll 6 inches then shift. If you are having a problem with all gears, then you may have a different problem. Also, as far as tightening the chain, I have found the easiest way is to just hold a wrench on the side with the muffler, then use a ratchet with a socket on the other side. Make sure you use a torque wrench when tightening it back up.

sorry, i hardly come to check this site. good catch, tcrave.

im having problem with all gears. for example: when im rolling 35 miles on 5th gear and starting to slow, it's very hard for me to get into 4th. this same goes to all gears. i have noticed that while im in 4th and at full stop, i back up the bike (like 5-7 inches), the gear lever makes a "click" and then (sometimes) im able to shift down to neutral. also, i have noticed this while the engine is getting hot. while it's cold, i dont have this problem.

thanks
e

[New2GZ]

New2GZ. You probabbly don't want to hear this but here goes. The tires are 6 or 7 years old on your bike. A safe rule of thumb is replace them every 5 years whether they are worn or not. Rubber does dry out and get harder than it should be. You will eventually need traction and there will not be any. Very dangerous. Others on the forum can chime in and suggest a good replacement that is actually new and grippy. Ya gotta ride safe.

im not sure if the previous owner has changed the tires, but as soon as i bought the bike, i took it to inspection center. the inspector didnt say anything. he just gave me the inspection sticker. not sure if he checked for cracks or rotten on the tires.

btw, is it expensive to buy a new tire? can i change it myself?

thanks
E

[Water Warrior 2]

If you are having troubles into 1st gear, I don't think these bikes are synchro'd into first gear. Just shift into first before you stop or roll 6 inches then shift. If you are having a problem with all gears, then you may have a different problem. Also, as far as tightening the chain, I have found the easiest way is to just hold a wrench on the side with the muffler, then use a ratchet with a socket on the other side. Make sure you use a torque wrench when tightening it back up.

sorry, i hardly come to check this site. good catch, tcrave.

im having problem with all gears. for example: when im rolling 35 miles on 5th gear and starting to slow, it's very hard for me to get into 4th. this same goes to all gears. i have noticed that while im in 4th and at full stop, i back up the bike (like 5-7 inches), the gear lever makes a "click" and then (sometimes) im able to shift down to neutral. also, i have noticed this while the engine is getting hot. while it's cold, i dont have this problem.

thanks
e
Try shifting down as you slow down. You should coming to a stop shortly after shifting to 1st gear. Use the engine braking to slow the bike as well as the actual brakes. Are you being deliberate with your shifting down ? Make sure you take all the foot pressure off the shifter so it can re-set for the next down shift. The hot and cold thing is really not an issue. The oil heats up and the oil flows more readily and the result is usually a little more pronounced shifting noise but that is normal.

[Gz Rider]

...

[alantf]

Tires last about 6-7000 miles rear and 10-14,000

My bike's got 20,000 km on it (12,500 miles) & original tyres. The front will be ready for replacing in 1000 to 2000 miles, but the rear still has plenty of tread on it. :2tup:

[mrlmd1]

Every tire has a rectangular box imprinted on the sidewall with a 4 digit code indicating the week and year of manufacture. Take a look for it and you will see how old your tires are. For a first time mechanic, you are better off having the dealer replace and balance them for you. You have to add the additional expense of tire irons, lube, a balancer and wheel weights, bruised knuckles, a few hours of time, etc, and it's a whole lot easier and not much more money, to have the dealer do it. Change your own oil and filter, let the dealer do the tires.

[Gz Rider]

...

[Gz Rider]

...

[alantf]

[quote="Gz Rider":3muk6ru9] Tires last about 6-7000 miles rear and 10-14,000

My bike's got 20,000 km on it (12,500 miles) & original tyres. The front will be ready for replacing in 1000 to 2000 miles, but the rear still has plenty of tread on it. :2tup:

What kind of surface are you riding on. I've looked around at other people's comments regarding tires and found my experience to be typical. Do you disagree? Which tires are you using?[/quote:3muk6ru9]

I'm still on the original tyres. Can't remember what the make is, without going down to the garage. I'm riding nearly 100% on tarmac, which is pretty badly broken up in places, with a few cobbled streets thrown in. Remember - most of our roads are 30 mph limit - with a few 50 mph, & 75 mph on the autopista (which I don't use much). There aren't many curves, so the tyres are more squared off, with lots of tread around the edge on both. :2tup:

[Gz Rider]

...

[Water Warrior 2]

Every tire has a rectangular box imprinted on the sidewall with a 4 digit code indicating the week and year of manufacture. Take a look for it and you will see how old your tires are. For a first time mechanic, you are better off having the dealer replace and balance them for you. You have to add the additional expense of tire irons, lube, a balancer and wheel weights, bruised knuckles, a few hours of time, etc, and it's a whole lot easier and not much more money, to have the dealer do it. Change your own oil and filter, let the dealer do the tires.
Or pull the wheels off and take them to a shop for tire installation. Also while the front wheel is off you could lube the speedo drive unit.

[blaine]

Seems like much better than average mileage to me. The originals were usually the Metzler ME77 but in Spain, who knows. Anyone else see mileage like this?
I use Kenda tires and get mileage comparable to what Alantf gets.I had close to 25000 kms on a Kenda Cruiser rear tire,with lots of thread left when I sold my G.Z. I use the same tires on my 454.
:) :2tup:

[Gz Rider]

...

[blaine]

[quote="Gz Rider":25v3dvxl]Seems like much better than average mileage to me. The originals were usually the Metzler ME77 but in Spain, who knows. Anyone else see mileage like this?
I use Kenda tires and get mileage comparable to what Alantf gets.I had close to 25000 kms on a Kenda Cruiser rear tire,with lots of thread left when I sold my G.Z. I use the same tires on my 454.
:) :2tup:

Which Kenda. I show what looks like four options?[/quote:25v3dvxl]
Cruisers & Challengers. :2tup: :)

[Gz Rider]

...

[alantf]

Seems like much better than average mileage to me. The originals were usually the Metzler ME77 but in Spain, who knows. Anyone else see mileage like this?

Just checked, & the originals are SAVA. I'd never heard of these, but I've checked on the internet, & apparently they're used for racing, motocross etc. Anyway, can't complain about the mileage, traction, etc. :2tup:

I've asked the bikeshop guy how much he'll charge for a new front tyre (which I'll need 1000-2000 miles down the road). He's quoted the equivalent of $126 for a Dunlop, fully fitted.