Can't get second gear :(

Dark Skies · #1 PostAuthor: **Dark Skies** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:36 pm

I've just rebuilt the engine of my KZ1000 M1 (CSR). Rebore, reconditioned crank, new bearings throughout - cost a fortune.

Anyhow ... the engine is back in the frame and just I'm awaiting some (much) thinner shims before I can start it (valve seats had to be recut).

But even before I fire up it looks like I'm going to have some problems with the gearshift mechanism. I can get first gear easily - nice, crisp and positive. It is also just as easy to get back into neutral (green light comes on too). But when I try to get into second it's not having any of it! It feels like something isn't engaging properly.

When I was putting the engine together and checking the gearchange I had some difficulty, felt a bit sticky, but then it just worked all the way through the range and back down again. I thought it just needed some momentum from the input shaft. I didn't replace any of the original mechanism - selector forks are in good shape (only had 20,000 on the engine), and not bent. The selector mechanism seemed fine and I didn't notice anything amiss with the springs which are all original. So ... what's going on here? Any ideas?

Anyone had anything like this happen to them? Is it likely to sort itself once the engine is running? Any ideas gratefully received.

Padders · #2 PostAuthor: **Padders** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:42 pm

You can only get second gear and above with the engine running as I found out after stripping my engine twice before finding this site and asking the same question a few years back.

Garry.L · #3 PostAuthor: **Garry.L** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:48 pm

KPNF............. Kawasaki Positive Neutral Finder

Dark Skies · #4 PostAuthor: **Dark Skies** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:50 pm

Padders wrote:You can only get second gear and above with the engine running as I found out after stripping my engine twice before finding this site and asking the same question a few years back.

Really? Oh, well in that case I'll have to hold that thought and see how things go when my shims arrive and I can fire her up. Still, for the moment, I'm a much happier bunny. Thank you.

Garry.L wrote:KPNF............. Kawasaki Positive Neutral Finder

I actually feel a bit foolish now.

You'd have thought I'd have noticed that when I'd been riding her. In mitigation it's taken me about two years to get around to finishing this rebuild. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

z1bman · #5 PostAuthor: **z1bman** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 9:04 pm

you wont be able to select 2nd gear until the rear wheel is spinning

Z1parR · #6 PostAuthor: **Z1parR** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 9:39 pm

No need to feel foolish at all , you are by no means the first [ just the last so far ] to come up against this one :wink:

Can't get second gear :(

Can't get second gear :(

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