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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: chiz on July 17, 2015, 08:49:22 PM

Title: downshift problem
Post by: chiz on July 17, 2015, 08:49:22 PM
I installed a roller shift detente spring kit from RPM. I don't have a clutch problem as before though the slave still has a small leak  at the slave I have decent engagement no slip and its easy to select neutral. The problem is down shifting, coming up to a stop or light the gearbox will not downshift unless I severely mess around with with the shift pedal and clutch lever. At a stop sign I frantically search for first by rolling the bike back and forth  while downshifting until I find first, What you folks think I have busted in this process?
Chiz
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: FJ1100mjk on July 18, 2015, 06:50:46 AM
I dunno, but it sounds like you may be taking the clutch cover off again, and having a look at that shifter area.

You don't by chance have the shift lever sitting on its splines at too much of a downward angle do yu? If so, it may be contacting the kickstand and/or its spring and not allowing enough downward travel to downshift properly.
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: movenon on July 18, 2015, 08:53:18 AM
I agree with FJ1100mjk you might have to go back in and check things out. Here is a picture of mine before I put the shift kit in. Notice the forked spring on the left side going over the stud. You might check that area. (spring and stud)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/1651_16_04_14_8_01_13.jpeg)

Here is the new roller installed.  Also check the spring there ?   The roller is sitting in the neutral detent.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/1651_16_04_14_8_03_03.jpeg)

Other than that the only thing I can think is the clutch plates are not disengaging ? Slave cylinder, not assembled correctly or clutch plate guides hanging up due to rough guide surface on the basket ?  Probably no help here, just throwing stuff in the camp fire.

Trivia: ever notice that clutch plate tangs have one side squared off and the other slightly rounded. Probably just a "stamping thing" during manufacture but I put the rounded edge facing outward.  I don't think it makes any difference just an observation.  

Let us know what you find out. I think Firehawk (Alan) recently had to replace that guide spring mentioned in the first photo.
George
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: racerrad8 on July 18, 2015, 10:26:36 AM
I am going with slave issue. If it is not completely disengaging the clutch it will be very hard to get into first gear sitting still.

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: Arnie on July 18, 2015, 11:19:22 AM
One other possible cause may be the adjustment rod end at the gearshift foot lever may be contacting the groove cast into the footrest plate when you are attempting to downshift.
I have had this happen on my '91 model and adjusting the rod slightly longer (lifting the shifter) corrected the problem.  I don't know if the '84 FJs had the same setup.
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: Firehawk068 on July 18, 2015, 11:21:14 AM
Quote from: chiz on July 17, 2015, 08:49:22 PM
I installed a roller shift detente spring kit from RPM. I don't have a clutch problem as before though the slave still has a small leak  at the slave I have decent engagement no slip and its easy to select neutral. The problem is down shifting, coming up to a stop or light the gearbox will not downshift unless I severely mess around with with the shift pedal and clutch lever. At a stop sign I frantically search for first by rolling the bike back and forth  while downshifting until I find first, What you folks think I have busted in this process?
Chiz

Chiz,

It's possible that when you re-assembled the shift shaft, the little spring that centers the "Shift Claw" on the end of the arm, may have popped off of one of it's tabs.

I recently had this same downshift issue with mine, just before the Central Rally.

Take a read of this thread and see if this may be your issue.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13911.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13911.0)

To fix it, you'll be pulling the clutch assembly back out (not a difficult job), but it is possibly a free fix to put the spring back on the other side of the tab where it belongs.
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: chiz on July 19, 2015, 07:39:02 AM
Thanks for the informative replies... It appears that the box downshifts nicely while cold and on the centre stand. I wonder if it will be the same sitting on it?
Chiz
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: racerrad8 on July 19, 2015, 08:54:16 AM
If it shifts fine with the wheel off the ground, then your clutch is not fully disengaging. So, I'm going with you have a slave cylinder problem not fully actuating.

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: chiz on July 22, 2015, 05:42:36 PM
OK I replaced the engine oil after only a couple hundred miles from Yamalube to Motul semi synthetic..... I don't seem to have a down shift problem anymore.......  what gives?
Chiz
Title: Re: downshift problem
Post by: FJmonkey on July 22, 2015, 06:02:20 PM
You only changed the oil? Some have experienced some clutch slip when switching from Dino to Synth, I did for a few hundred miles. Was the Yamalube Synth? If you have some clutch slip then your shifting issues might return when the clutch fibers saturates with the new oil. The slip is masking the problem of the clutch plates still having a little drag. But the deed is done so put some miles on it, ride it!!! Report back after 500 miles.