keeps getting stuck in gear

[ds99]

2007 rt1200rt with 50,000 miles on it


it keeps getting stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear when changing down and decellerating


any idea what could cause this?


the clutch isnt slipping or anything and all fluids were changed 2,000 miles ago

[David.]

Any idea what could cause this?

Possibly gear linkage lubrication, have a look at this thread, viewtopic.php?t=6

[David.]

More detail provided by Our Gee.

Re: Winter Maintenance List
Gear change mechanism pic added for clarity. The 2 ball joints are at either end of item 2 in the pic.( Don't be tempted to loosen the screwed adjuster.) The small spring clips have to be carefully removed in order to dismantle the joint. This can be a bit fiddly the first time. The circular part has to be sprung away from it's locating groove then pulled down with long nose pliers to release the straight pin part from the joint.( It's the pin part which holds the joint together). The joint, (cup and ball) can the be parted, cleaned, packed with grease and re-assembled)
With the two shaft bearing bushes (Item 8) it's simply a matter of cleaning the shaft and bushes and re-greasing.
Hope this helps anyone who is going to attempt this task.

[Beagle]

Could also be excessive wear in selector forks

[ds99]

mmm.. ok. i will try to clean the connecting rods thingies. it always used to do this very occasionally, but now its happening a lot more, and it is always in 2nd or 3rd and always when decelerating, often I end up stationary, stuck in 3rd, at a roundabout, which is obviously not ideal. i am hoping it is not a "worn gearbox" issue


the problem seems to do it less if i keep the revs high when changing down

[bandytales]

Could also be excessive wear in selector forks

I would be VERY surprised if that were the case with such a very low mileage bike.

[Beagle]

I would be VERY surprised if that were the case with such a very low mileage bike.

I agree but back in the day of gearsticks people sometimes rested their hands on them and inadvertently applied pressure either fore or aft resulting in premature selector fork wear.

[ds99]

after doing lots of googling this seems a problem with R, RT and GS bikes of that era. some people have "solved" it by cleaning the connecting linkages, changing the clutch fluid, or getting mechanics/dealers to work on the gearbox or clutch


others have learnt to live with the issue by "blipping" the throttle before changing down

[Beagle]

“ cleaning the connecting linkages, changing the clutch fluid, or getting mechanics/dealers to work on the gearbox or clutch”


That just about covers everything but doesnt really help you.

[ds99]

no, i have squirted GT85 maintenance spray into the linkages and cleaned them with a toothbrush, they look pretty hard to get apart as they are tucked right under the bike

[David.]

Others have learnt to live with the issue by "blipping" the throttle before changing down.

That's exactly what "Shift assistance Pro" does, us poor souls have to do it manually.

[David.]

The gearbox fill plug is magnetic, any mechanical wear may be evident if it is removed & inspected.

[David.]

They look pretty hard to get apart as they are tucked right under the bike.

Removing the LHS footrest bracket will improve access to the gear linkages, as per this on a Camhead.

[simbo]

no, i have squirted GT85 maintenance spray into the linkages and cleaned them with a toothbrush, they look pretty hard to get apart as they are tucked right under the bike

I'd try something like an aerosol "white grease" which goes in as a liquid  around everything before setting as a lubricant, even a brush full of gear oil might do the trick. GT85 isn't much cop for anything really, same as WD40.

[simbo]

Oi! That's my bike!! Nothing wrong with my linkage