2nd gear is bad

Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="wfooshee" data-cid="1252731" data-time="1439865039"><p>

I went through this last summer when I broke a piece off my shift drum, when I got in there I found some issues with the gear dogs, and was fortunate enough to get donor parts for the cost of shipping. The story of the teardown is <a href='https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/158468-tranny-shifter-bokerforked-found-star-cam-broke-off-the-shift-drum/page-7'>here</a>, starting in post 131.<br />

<br />

And as stated above, splitting the case is nothin' compared to getting the lump out in the first place. Lots and lots of wires and stuff. Get a shop manual!!!! Sequences are important!!!</p></blockquote>

I been studying your post on engine and gear tear down...thanks for posting that. When the time comes I will definitely use that to help guide me...might need to pick your brain in the not so distant future :)

 
You know this second gear problem has been around for years. Some day Yamaha will get it right. Do a search on the XS11.com forum (second gear problems) and see.

 
You know this second gear problem has been around for years. Some day Yamaha will get it right. Do a search on the XS11.com forum (second gear problems) and see.
Actually, second gear issues are common among other brands too. Honda has had a number of different models which would pop second gear and fourth gear.

 
A friend has 3rd out in a kawi 636.dont usually hear of that. Good positive shifts where you feel it go all the way into gear will avoid the problem.

 
Had an 84 Yamaha Venture that lost 2nd gear due to a too soft thrust washer, Very common for those bikes. Yamaha changed the part # to a similar washer used in the VMax. I replaced the washer and undercut the dogs on second gear and put it back together. worst part was getting the engine out and back in. Don't know if the FJR is easier or not but if the engines out it won't hurt to try repairing it.

2nd is so much fun I wouldn't want to be without it for long.

Good luck whichever way you go, you'll enjoy the bike when its back to 100%.

 
Yes, second gear is important. That's where I do a lot of my sporty riding, using all of the FJR's rpm range.

"You can't get into trouble in second gear."

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Now that I have had this bike for a minute and have had a little time to get intimate it looks as if the bike at the very least has been dropped. Things not lining up and what not. All things I should have notice upon initial inspection...but it was love at first site..I had to have this bike for the price.

I am the type that needs everything lined up the way it is supposed to be. Oh well...All things to add to the list of fixes when I tear it down this winter...I figure I can make it a good father son bonding time and teach my boy about tools and stuff like that.

 
After reading wfooshees thread I have a better understanding of what is going on in the gearbox. I hammered on it in 2nd and it pops completely into neutral instead of skipping like it does under moderate acceleration. So I guessing the dogs are severely worn / damaged.

Does any think or know if material can still be in the case? ....thinking I should get on this sooner than later to avoid any more damage.

How much would a shop charge for a job like this? Trying to weigh the time it would take me ( a lot longer than a shop) and cost to have it done

 
I'd think any metallic bits would show up during an oil change, except for maybe larger pieces, but chances are the components are worn - not broken.

I'd expect shop rates would be on the high side, simply because of the time involved.

If 'twere meself, I'd be looking for assistance from a fellow fjr forumite, or perhaps a tech day. Someone who has done this would know what parts you'll need

Good luck

 
I'd think any metallic bits would show up during an oil change, except for maybe larger pieces, but chances are the components are worn - not broken.
I'd expect shop rates would be on the high side, simply because of the time involved.

If 'twere meself, I'd be looking for assistance from a fellow fjr forumite, or perhaps a tech day. Someone who has done this would know what parts you'll need

Good luck

Seems most of the info I need is in the thread that wfooshee linked earlier. I know I have a two day project just to make room in my garage to start tearing the bike down. I also know I will plan on two/three weeks to do this and it will more than likely take me a couple months...lol

 
It'd take you longer to pull the engine than to get inside and fix the transmission.

As noted above, your shifter dogs are likely worn out, which happens over time (foot resting on the shifter). As for metal parts floating about the engine, not likely at all. If something big broke loose, the oil filter would catch it.

If you wanted to make sure, pull the header and then the oil pan (not terribly hard to do). What's sitting in the pan will be quite obvious.

If you already had the engine OUT, someone who's done it before, and some spare good parts (ie, spare good transmission, or at least 2nd gear parts-gears, shifter dogs, new bolts, gaskets) could easily get it pulled apart and re-assembled that day.

 
Top