Are you shifting at the recommended speeds?
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94 EX500 not downshifting once I get into 3rd
Hey guys. Having a LOT of trouble with my 94 EX500 shifting. I’m very new to riding (this is my first bike) I got off a guy on Craigslist. When I test rode it, I was able to shift up and everything felt fine, but after I brought it home and did some slight cosmetic changes to make it a street fighter, I had all kinds of problems.
Basically, I can’t shift back down through gears one I shift up out of second. I can go down into first then up to second, but if I go up into third I can’t go back down unless I remove my linkage and mess with it until my neutral light comes on.
I’ve seen FOG’s suggestions about removing and cleaning the linkage, which I’m about to do, but is there anything else I need to do? The linkage was set roughly to 90 degrees, but how sensitive is that?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Basically, I can’t shift back down through gears one I shift up out of second. I can go down into first then up to second, but if I go up into third I can’t go back down unless I remove my linkage and mess with it until my neutral light comes on.
I’ve seen FOG’s suggestions about removing and cleaning the linkage, which I’m about to do, but is there anything else I need to do? The linkage was set roughly to 90 degrees, but how sensitive is that?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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sure sounds like a broken shift shaft spring to me, here's a link to parts breakdown, worth a look
www.ronayers.com
1994 Kawasaki NINJA 500 (EX500-D1) Gear Change Mechanism | Ron Ayers
Shop online for OEM Gear Change Mechanism parts that fit your 1994 Kawasaki NINJA 500 (EX500-D1), search all our OEM Parts or call at 252-758-3084
www.ronayers.com
+1^^ however I have a philosophy that works for me anyway. if something was working fine and after doing work on the bike it now doesn't work then it's 99.9% certainty that something I did was causing the issue.When I test rode it, I was able to shift up and everything felt fine, but after I brought it home and did some slight cosmetic changes to make it a street fighter, I had all kinds of problems.
check what you did to alter it, make sure you have enough clearance for the linkage to operate normally. edit. and make sure the spring returns the lever to the rest position after changing gear.
So, to clarify, when I was shifting, I don’t know if I was at the correct speeds because I do not have a speedometer. However, shouldn’t I be able to shift down to neutral while letting in the clutch reguardless of what gear or speed I’m going?
I’m about to reinstall the cleaned, lubed linkage. It did spring back to the rest position that Ducatiman was referencing, I’m just hopin that living it keeps it at a consistent push/pull on the shift rod. I’ll keep y’all updated.
Thanks guys. Might need a little more help.
I’m about to reinstall the cleaned, lubed linkage. It did spring back to the rest position that Ducatiman was referencing, I’m just hopin that living it keeps it at a consistent push/pull on the shift rod. I’ll keep y’all updated.
Thanks guys. Might need a little more help.
suggest also you google the term "kawasaki positive neutral finder"
Technically yes. But any vehicle is going to shift at its smoothest when said vehicle speed is at its shifting speed sweet spot.shouldn’t I be able to shift down to neutral while letting in the clutch reguardless of what gear or speed I’m going?
Make sure the put the shift lever back onto the shift shaft exactly as it was before you took it off. If you position it incorrectly it may be possible that the shift lever cannot rotate the shift shaft enough to engage the downshift mechanism. I made that mistake many years ago on my first real bike. It wouldn't shift in both directions until the correct position of shift lever to shift shaft was restored.So, to clarify, when I was shifting, I don’t know if I was at the correct speeds because I do not have a speedometer. However, shouldn’t I be able to shift down to neutral while letting in the clutch reguardless of what gear or speed I’m going?
I’m about to reinstall the cleaned, lubed linkage. It did spring back to the rest position that Ducatiman was referencing, I’m just hopin that living it keeps it at a consistent push/pull on the shift rod. I’ll keep y’all updated.
Thanks guys. Might need a little more help.
In other words, is your shift lever hitting an obstruction on the path of travel before the downshift has been achieved?
be sure your cranks at each eng of the shift rod form a 90˚ angle with the rod
FOG
FOG
Incorrect (non motorcycle specific) oils will cause problems when clutch plates & oil warms up.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
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