Gear lever flaps about sometimes and won't go into first?

PizzImperfect · Nova Slayer Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Karma :

Hi,

An issue i've had with my CBF125 since week 1 really.. and my friend who has a Kawasaki Eliminator has exactly the same issue...

If i'm slowing and come to a stop in say, 2nd gear with my clutch in... And try to shift down into 1st to set off again... It seems to just flap about and bounce back into neutral.
Is it advised to only shift down while actually in motion?
Its frustrating when im sat at lights in neutral and it refuses to shift into 1st.
The way around it seems to be to rev and let the clutch out slightly, and something clicks and from then it will shift into 1st.
This may be something all bikes do.. i don't know, can you help?

Thank you and sorry if its a stupid question!

MaybeGuy · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Karma :

its normal.
Sequential gearboxes only work properly when they're moving
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!! Mr. Green

Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

PizzImperfect · Nova Slayer Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Karma :

Spot On. Well that's one thing to keep in mind.

Sorry for the stupid question, and thanks for the answer!

tahrey · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Jul 2010 Karma :

Just like some balky car gearboxes, best if you can get it into 1st as the very last thing before coming to a stop. Like 1mph or less and it should snick in nicely.
Alternatively let clutch out in neutral, pull it in again and hit the lever, the residual spinning of the input shaft should allow enough movement for it to engage. If not, final thing is to rock it forward/back slightly til the output shaft turns and it clicks in. (With the balky car, this comes down to moving it eeeeever so slightly in 2nd or reverse... trickier when it's R that won't engage and you haven't got much leeway for forward motion!)

The dog teeth on the engagement mechanism aren't lining up quite right, and without the ability to move past each other they probably won't. It's possible in all gears, but worst in 1st for... well... some reason. I was going to give an explanation but sounding it out mentally, it sounds like BS.