2000 Yammie R6 - yeah, you guessed it, gearbox issues

MistreKul · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Karma :

Well, I recently bought a '00 R6 in pretty good condition, original paint, no mods and all that and for a pretty decent price. I've been told it's been sitting for a while and was in need of a good service so I didn't give it a proper trashing when I bought it. Besides, I always had the bad habit of trusting the wrong people (which makes up 90% of the population) and took his word for good when he said the bike was fine from all points of view. Bike started and ran really sweet, engine sounds absolutely spot on, really quiet, fairings looked pretty good for its age it made a very good impression

Now that I've done the service, I took it out for a more enthusiastic spin and discovered that when I accelerate harder and change from 1st to 2nd, it "clunks" pretty hard and the shift lever kinda kicks back 2-3 times before engaging 2nd. Like it doesn't want to engage 2nd and wants to go back to neutral, I guess. It doesn't jump into neutral, but kicks back 2-3 times and engages the gear. Once engaged, it's fine. The rest of the gears are fine, no kicking.

Am I right in thinking this is the beginning of the end of the gearbox? The much dreaded 2nd gear issue with these bikes? And if so, what are my options? The bike is pretty sweet otherwise and I wouldn't like to have to sell it (at a loss, since I'm not a complete scum like the previous owner and I'd have to mention that the gearbox has some probs). I've heard I could swap 2nd and 6th cogs with the '03-'05 R6's for a definitive fix, apparently they fit perfectly. What would you recomend, gents?

This is the culprit:

https://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz242/mistreku/WP_20170311_12_54_49_Pro_zpsojinerzr.jpg

Cheers,
Gab

jaffa90 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Apr 2016 Karma :

At 17 years old i would live with it and change to second sooner.
I take it that you put motorcycle oil in it!

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

MistreKul · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Karma :

You are correct, it is the dogs but I think you can't replace them on their own, they seem to be cast as one piece with the cog. I might be wrong, hopefully someone more savvy will chip in.

I'm fairly skilled with the spanners but don't know much about bikes. However, considering my budget, I think I'll have to learn about them soon! Laughing

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

if you do facebook, join the r6 owners page. BUT.... stand by for the onslaught of liner jokes...

you know about those yeah? if not, get reading so you know the symptoms.

anyway, the recommended fix is to stick the 03 on 5sl gearbox in it. end of problems.

one other thing to check first would be the detent spring. google should throuw up some results. its a few quid part and might make the difference between neawer gearbox or not.

nice bike btw Thumbs Up

____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

jjdugen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

And then you can start worrying about the cylinder liners splitting.......
Edit... Drat, got there before me.
____________________
The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

oh, and as i found out, don't clutchless change from 1st to 2nd.
____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

MistreKul · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Karma :

Cheers for the tip on the '03 cogs Chris, was not aware they are that cheap, someone told me they were double that, 60 quid really isn't bad at all. I did post this on R6-forum as well, funny enough, no replies so far. Perhaps they moved on from the 99-02 series.

Groovy, just send a request to join the FB group, I can deal with the jokes, no problem. The engine really doesn't worry me at all atm, it runs and sounds really sweet. It's this bloody gearbox which grinds my gears right now. Pun intended. But you have planted the seed of terror for the liners issue in the back of my mind, I'm sure I'll read a lot of horror stories about it later, thank you very much! Laughing

JJ, I never shifted clutchless in any bike owned or ridden so far, I'm sure I will be able to refrain from it in the future as well, especially on such a sensitive gearbox. It seems like you can only pick two out of "pretty, reliable and cheap".

Jaffa, I put Motul 7100 10w50, defo bike spec. I can't live it that gearbox though, I really like this bike and want it to work properly.

Now, a little update. My throttle cables are a bit sticky and unless I roll the throttle back myself, it will keep the revs a little bit higher in the range (not too high, maybe 2000-2500RPMs). I noticed that if I focus on rolling the throttle back between the shifts, the shifter will kick back a lot less, if at all. Just shifts into 2nd quite smoothly. Especially if I delay the shift half a second. Not sure if this means anything, but thought I'd mention it.

I will have a look at that detente spring and see if I can see anything wrong with it. Basically, what do I need to check for, spring wise? Certain tension, lenght or just visible wear?

Cheers everyone for the input, much appreciated! Thumbs Up

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

try askin here .. and there wont be the piss takin either..

https://www.yamahar.co.uk/index.php
____________________
Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

www.r6messagenet.com is the bestest R6 forum. Wink

How much did you pay for the bike?

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

from what I can make out, the forums are piss poor, and the FB page is the best way of getting help or answers.
____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Bull honkey!!

R6 Messagenet isn't piss poor. Razz

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

groovylee · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Karma :

really? R6messagenet - 9 most recent posts - going back to mid February..... 5 replies in total. hardly a hive of activity is it.

or am I missing something? Confused

____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

4 pages in 4 days
____________________
Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

MistreKul · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Nov 2015 Karma :

I think I'm gonna have to live with it for now and save some money for the 5SL gearbox, for a stronger fix. We'll see. I don't want to drop too much money in it, despite really loving this bike, it seems to be riddled with issues like the gearbox or liners. I'll keep you guys updated, for now, I'll just try to keep it as is.