Hi all, I just found this site and I am impressed. I have a 87 with 65,000 trouble free miles. It is in almost perfect shape. Recently I started to experience a problem while driving. Starting off in 1st gear is smooth, but in 2nd gear the bike starts to buck as though it is jumping out of gear. This only happens when the RPM's are low and in 2nd or 3rd gears. When I keep the RPM's above 5500 this doesn't happen in any gear, and performs as good as ever. I replaced he clutch at 33000 miles,so I may need a new clutch. Since the bike doesn't slip on take-off,or at any higher RPM's, Iwonder if it is the clutch that needs to be replaced. Any Thoughts? I appreciate any feed-back

 

It's hard to say without knowing your driving habits. Since you have trouble only in 2nd and 3d gear it doesn't sound like a clutch. That should present problems in all gears. The fact that you have trouble at low rpm butnone above 5500 rpm might indicate you are due for a major tuneup - valve clearances, plugs, possibly wires, carb cleaning / adjustment, and carb sychronization. Don't skip that last, the engine behaviorsunsynchronized carburetors can provide are amazing. If you're running the California only model with extra emission plumbing there may be problems there. Worst case scenario (and least likely from what you have reported) would be transmission problems - worn or missing gear teeth, misadjusted shift linkage, worn shift drum, anything that would prevent full engagement in the two gears with which you're having trouble.

 

It sounds like a gearshiftproblem, have you dropped the oil to check for metalon the plug

 

Thanks Guys, My bike is,was,in Tip-Top condition. I just had thea major tune-up w/ valve adjustment and sync donebefore the winter. While my chicken strips are not that wide, I drive rather tamely. I ride occassionally during the winter and when I took it for a ride mid season this problem cropped up. I also changed the oil and filter for this spring. No metal. If there was a gear problem, wouldn't it make some sort of metallic sounds or be difficult shifting?The bike shifts as easy as it did when new.Also, if a gear problem, why wouldn't it be a problem at all RPM's in those gears. Once again thanks to all for any ideas you might offer. To be continued....

 

Don't rule out gear box in the 70s i had a 250 Honda two stroke that jumped out of 2nd [bent fork.] early 80s CB500 4 it jumped from 3nd 2nd 3nd [warn shift drum detente]late 80s XL600RD jammed in forth [a brr on the fork slide] all faultsno metalin oil. Not shore of the workings of aCBR gear box but my 88 is astiff shift at 51000km.

 

You should check your riding and shifting habbit!! Myne did the same thing but only if I ride with my boots outher times she was fine!!!