XS650 downshifting issues

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Ron - 03 Aug 2007 17:01 GMT

Hi group,

Just recently, and not too long after an oil change, I began to experience
some difficulty downshifting my 1980 Yamaha XS650. Upshifts are great,
smooth as butter. When
going down the gears, though, I sometimes have to nudge the shift lever
twice. First nudge may feel like something is not 'engaging' so to speak,
but the second nudge works just fine, with out regard to what gear I am
moving to, be it 5th to 4th, or 4th to 3rd.........etc. There is no undue
effort on the lever, either. Seems to 'maybe' get a bit better as the
engine warms
up, but the issue does not go away. I checked the oil level and verified I
used the 'correct' viscosity(Yamalube 20W-40....will probably start using
Castrol 20W-50); I've heard motorcycle gearboxes can be a bit sensitive to
oil levels, etc. I also checked clutch cable adjustments. Seems OK. Any
advice much appreciated. Please tell me there will be no major surgery
involved...............................

Ron
www.mondo-ron.com
http://webpages.charter.net/clickfam/pictures.htm pics of the mad beast

Reply to this Message

Pete - 03 Aug 2007 17:21 GMT

> Hi group,
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> www.mondo-ron.com
> http://webpages.charter.net/clickfam/pictures.htm pics of the mad beast

Maybe this will help,in my 06 yzf600 I had used 20w50 pennzoil and the
tranny just didn't seem to want to shift smooth. I tried 10w40 Mobil 1
and voila, shifts smooth as butter. Not to mention it starts better too
and the motor is allot quieter.

Try a lighter oil.

Reply to this Message

Ron - 03 Aug 2007 18:17 GMT

>> Hi group,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> Try a lighter oil.

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the advice! I am thinking about changing the oil and may just
try 10W-40 for the reasons you mentioned; especially in colder temps where a
lower viscosity may be a plus. I am still concerned, thought, about why it
has been shifting smoothly and then changed to the current state. I
shouldn't have to change oil viscosity........Also, I have been led on many
a wild goose chase with cars and bikes regarding troubleshooting issues.
Example: I filled up with gas and a couple of mile later the bike ran like
crap. Rebuilt carbs and flushed the tank a few times and ended up changing
the stator to fix the problem. The fact that the problem surfaced soon
after an oil change pushed me to look at the oil level and viscosity, but it
is the same brand and weight oil I have been using since I bought the motor
a year or so ago.

Best regards,

Ron
www.mondo-ron.com

Reply to this Message

Pete - 03 Aug 2007 18:26 GMT

>>> Hi group,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
> Ron
> www.mondo-ron.com

OK. How does the chain slack affect the shifting on that bike?

Reply to this Message

Ron - 03 Aug 2007 18:30 GMT

>>>> Hi group,
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>>
> OK. How does the chain slack affect the shifting on that bike?

Hi Pete,

As FAIK, it doesn't. A slack chain can make throttle transitions a bit
herky jerky of the chain is too loose. If too tight, I guess premature wear
on the chain, sprockets, and perhaps countershaft sprockets. The chain
tension seems to be nominal on the bike, however.

I tell you, when it rains, it pours. My truck, an old Ford Ranger with only
about 300,000 miles on it will not hardly run below 3000RPMs, especially
when cold. Gotta work on that, also.......So it goes.........

Best regards,

Ron
www.mondo-ron.com

Reply to this Message

Motorcycle Forum / General / Yamaha / August 2007

XS650 downshifting issues