First gear doesnt exist ='(

[SpannerMonkey]

Riding around normally today and recently the bike has developed an issue getting into first, It would disappear for a sec, Rev the engine, let the clutch out and pull it in again and it'll go into first...
until today, Now within the space of an hour, Selecting first resulted in *Clack clack clack clack clack CLUNK* into first gear but as I travelled further 4 miles... I have COMPLETELY lost first... No real clack noise anymore, no 1st on the gear indicator... NOTHING. HELP GUYS!
Second hand engine on the list for a replacement gearbox? =/
All other gears select fine.

[Ichy]

Check your clutch cable adjustment.

[SpannerMonkey]

[Paxovasa]

First gear is always the hardest to select.

Does it happen all the time or just sporadically?

Does it happen when changing down at a junction, does it happen when the bike is cold as well as when the bike is warmed up?

Is the clutch slipping? What oil do you use?

Are you been forceful enough with the gear lever when trying to select it?

Ease up on the abuse, as people are trying to help

Edit: cables do stretch through time Do you / have you lubed the cable?
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[SpannerMonkey]

[Ichy]

My response was very logical, and actually based on experience. You can change between all other gears easily without using the clutch lever. First is always the hardest to engage due to the nature of it. If the clutch is out of adjustment 1st is where you will notice it the most.


BTW

No excuse for your reply so simply 'fuck you' and go and buy a new engine.

[doggone]

Could be a bent selector?
Has the gear lever possibly slipped a bit on the shaft?
I'd be surprised if something horribly expensive has happened in the box.

[Pete.]

[Pete.]

As a matter of fact if it's not showing 1st on the display then the shift drum isn't turning so I reckon you've definately lost a pin. Bonus is that it's an easy repair on most bikes.

What bike is it?
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Astridax]

[SpannerMonkey]

Right, A little update, First gear comes and goes. Sometimes its there as normal as can be, Then other times it wont exist at all.
2 minutes down the road and it's back again. When it goes it's like... I pull the clutch in, try to click down, only there is no click, and no resistance on the gear lever, It just keeps travelling down till it hits the exhaust. One trick I have is hold the gear lever down as far as I can and let the clutch slip progressively out with some revs and the gears can be heard slipping off one another then it catches. but this only happens occasionally.

[Pete.]

You're gonna knacker the box if you keep that up.

The fact that the gear lever has no weight to it and no stop suggests a problem with the selector mechanism. It's not a comlicated device, so why not pull the casing off and have a look what's wrong?
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[mad4it028]

sounds like you lever needs adjusting if its hitting the down pipe (it shouldnt)
ide adjust the lever so it can be pushed as far down as possable and not hitting anything maybe the linkage is worn ive had this with dirt bikes goes up and down the box perfectly but wont select 1st as hits the frame 1st adjusted up and was fine
gotta be worth a try no?
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[cb1rocket]

[SpannerMonkey]

[loply]

I concur this may be a clutch problem.

If you clutch is slipping even when you have the lever pulled in, it will happily change between most gears.

Hell, between 5th and 6th I could change gears even when my clutch was seized (the plates were stuck together!).

In first however it will be very hard especially if you're moving at all. May be easier at a standstill.

How long ago did you replace the clutch? Does it go into first with the engine turned off (you may need to wheel it back and forth a bit)?
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Pete.]

It's not a clutch problem from the symptoms described, unless there's a piece of broken clutch basket wedged in the gearchange mechanism.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good