[DanKennedy]

Can anyone help?

I'm currently having a problem when i shift down i do not seem to be able to go from 2nd to 1st gear without several attempts. Can you think of any reason for this?

 

[corbywan]

I have had a similar problem, but not on my ZX6R.
I found I was shifting down too fast (ie: too many gears at once) and not letting the clutch out all the way, BUT.......the 'box was really shitty and excessively 'notchy' on shifting.
I found if I relaxed a bit and took a little bit more time when shifting gears and allowed everything to flow more all was good!!
The bike was nearly 10 years old and had done lots of miles.
What bike do you have? What year? How many miles? etc etc..

 

[DanKennedy]

I have a 2000 ZX6R J1, 8000 miles. This only started happening yesterday and seems to be getting worse.

 

[spuk0]

Had you changed anything mechanically? Changed oil types? Are you wearing same type of shoes? are you shifting the same you always have? Have you damaged or bent the shift fork?

I noticed I had problems when I first got my bike, some had to do with in-exprience, some probably just tranny being stiff. It later went away, but at 8K miles it should be broken in. Anyway I can tell minor differences in the bike mechanically with just changes in the weather, and how well I keep my chain tighten/lubed. Did you miss a shift before and you get this god awful gear grinding or when the tranny is in a what my mechanic says false neutral? I get those at times when on a high speed run and braking hard in higer gears, then when stopped trying to shift down without engine torque behind it. Not good either way.

 

[DanKennedy]

I haven't changed anything and haven't bent anything (i think).

 

[corbywan]

I think 'spuk0' has nailed the problem[^] "trying to shift down without engine torque behind it." (that is of course, unless there is something wrong with your bike!)
Are you try to select 1st when stopped or at a stand still?
With some bikes this can be a problem at times. Have you riden your bike since? Did you have the same problem?

How long have you had the bike? Do you know the history of the bike?
If it was previously owned, what was the owner like? Do you think he (sorry girls, she) could of be really aggressive on the box, ie: racing it, clutchless down shifts?

I have a 2000 ZX6R as well with 12000 klm (about 7500 miles), I think they are great bikes.

Corbywan

2000 ZX6R Green

 

[DanKennedy]

This happens at speed (not all the time) but seems to be getting more frequent. I bought it used and have only done about 700 miles on it, this has only been happening in the last 40 or so miles.

 

[bs121583]

I have a 2001 and my bike has similar problems.... When shifting from 2nd to 1st sometimes it acts like it misses 1st completly..When you push down on the shifter it just moves down freely and it is still in 2nd.. like said before try to take more time shifting and see if that clears it up.. MY bike still does this occasionaly.. It has 3000 miles on it and didn't do it when i first got it(1200 miles).. good luck let us know

yellow = fast

 

[spuk0]

Let me ask you this.... When You try to shift down does it always go to neutral but not first? Watch for your Neutral light to see where its at. Come to think of it when I ride now I usually always slow and stop in second. Then when Stopped I shift back into first, if for some reason its not going release, and re-engage the clutch or roll back the bike a little then shift into gear. That will help, as far as shifting into first say from second gear going like 55mph. I not sure of what the problem is unless shift fork isn't moving far enough for first gear. Probably should let a mechanic or some other rider take a look at, especially since you bought it used.

 

[the wizz]

That really sucks hearing you guys are having problems with your trans...I have an 01 6r and beat the living hell out of that bike, and no problems...8500 abused miles and it's still asking for more.

 

[DanKennedy]

Could this have anything to do with my chain? i have not adjusted it since i bought the bike.

 

[02kwaker]

how many miles have you put on the bike since the chain was last adjusted? i know the up-shifting can feel notchy/wierd with a chain that is to loose. if you get a chance, push up on the chain, if it smacks the swingarm, its to loose and you need to adjust it. you should have around 1.2" of play in the chain.

 

[DanKennedy]

I have only done about 350 miles since it was adjusted. I have also noticed now that when i'm stuck in second and i want to shift up that if i put my foot on the pedal and press down about 1/2cm, then return the pedal to nomal position i can change up.

[?]

 

[DanKennedy]

Spoke to the garage where i got it and they said it sounds like the shift lever is ceasing? does this sound likely.

 

[nazarah]

I have a 2000 ZX6R as well and yes, the same thing does happen to me. I belvieve that is is something to do with either A trying to shift into 1st when the clutch is not all the way in, or B not getting it pushed down to first all the way the fist shot and it "hangs" half way. I know what you are talking about though, and mine has done it since I got it. I just learned to shift around it I guess. [^]

Nazarah, a fully certified intimate apparel bra fit expert.

 

[DanKennedy]

Well i got it fixed. It was the shift lever ceasing due to corrosion and salt etc in the shaft the lever goes into. Cleaned this out and now it changes fine. Anyone who has this problem should check this and i'm sure you'll find the same. Apparently this is common on GSXR's not usually Ninja's.

 

[ash]

Loads of UK members of www.mcninjas.co.uk who ride in the winter months complain of this. Spray a bit of chain wax on the linkages and it should keep the crud out. Your chain should at its mid point between the sprockets have 35-45mm total play from link centre to link centre whilst parked up without a rider. If you have it out of tolerance and its tight you risk it either stretching and forming tight spots when you bottom out the suspension, or if its loose hopping off the sprockets = very expensive if it leaves the front. Make sure you use loads of chain lube and keep it visibly wet or else you will kill it in no time at all. Its an expensive lesson to learn and the lube always washes off.

Ash

Live to ride, Erm Erm, Where are my Car Keys ?