Preload to Down Shift?

[thfraser]

Just noticed something funny on my S10 that just recent started happening and want to know how to fix it or address it.

I do a lot of commuting on my S10, therefor I upshift and downshift a lot.

Recently, when I down shift, I push down with my foot and nothing happens. It doesn't happen coming out of 6th to 5th, but if I try to go from fifth to fourth it won't shift, unless I preload the shiftter (put some pressure on the shift lever by moving it up sliightly) then it will allow me to shift down.

When I'm in traffic, and find myself coming to a complete stop, as happens here in the DC commuting area a lot more than I like, I have to put my foot under to load the shifter, then put my foot back over the shifter and then down shift, and repeat until I get to nuetral. Soft of annoying when you are in stop and go traffic as I start holding up traffic a little while I do my foot jig. It never happens going from 8th to fifth, just from fifth down, until I get to nuetral, then it going to first isn't an issue.

Any idea's?

Bike has just over 10k on it, last oil change was 8 days ago, I have about 2k on the oil. New tires 8 days ago. Physical inspection of the gear - not bent and looks good. Just don't know why this is happening....

 

[MikeBear]

First, you are going to have explain yourself: where did you find 8th gear!!!!! My bike needs one !!!
Just kidding.

::017::

 

[fredz43]

There are a lot of posts about owners having trouble with down shifts. The usual solution is to remove the shift lever and lubricate the piivot bolt with grease. After that, make it a part of routine maintenance.

 

[thfraser]

First, you are going to have explain yourself: where did you find 8th gear!!!!! My bike needs one !!!
Just kidding.

::017::

Oooops, when I have to go through that shifter dance, it often feels like I'm in 8th gear!

 

[thfraser]

There are a lot of posts about owners having trouble with down shifts. The usual solution is to remove the shift lever and lubricate the piivot bolt with grease. After that, make it a part of routine ainntenance.

I did some searching, but didn't find it... :-[

But I will give the above a try. Thanks for the input and I'll do some more in depth searching.

 

[rem]

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=4998.msg95719#msg95719

 

[tomatocity]

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=3360.0

 

[fjrden]

Had similar trouble after a tour around France. My dealer lubefd the downshift mechanism and the problem resolved.

 

[thfraser]

Thanks to everyone for thier input! I finally took a break, after Sandy had left our area, and removed the shifter lever bolt. It was full of black gunk, yech! Must have been from the off roading and the miles a few weekends ago. Cleaned it with some WD-40 and then sprayed some white lithium grease on it and now it's working like it is supposed to! ;D

Once again, thanks to everyone for thier feedback and comments. I will now check this everytime I change the oil.

Tom

 

[MikeBear]

It looks like main bolt has serious size groove so I packed some synthetic grease in there. Works fine now.
Thanks for the info, guys. ::008::

 

[thfraser]

hmmm, tap in a grease zert and just use my grease gun every so often.... I wonder...

 

[MikeBear]

hmmm, tap in a grease zert and just use my grease gun every so often.... I wonder...

i don't think that will do. You will have to take it apart to clean in anyways.

 

[Duconce]

Actually if you used a zerk it will clean it self and keep enough grease in there to keep dirt out unless you use a power washer. I have always put one in the steering stem after first service and you don't have take it apart for service again. Did that for all my dirt bikes. My bike is new and there was virtually no grease in brake or shift pedal pivots

 

[thfraser]

That's what I was thinking. A grease gun would put the pressure in the grease being squirted (that doesn't sound right) and it would help keep it clean and lubricated (once again that doesn't sound right).