Not shifting down to 1st or 2nd gear

[Abaaba]

I sometimes use my bike to commute to work (14-mile round trip), today was one of those days but on my back the bike refused to shift down to 1st or 2nd gear. I slowly made it back home.

On inspection/checking, I noticed the gear shifter isn't springing back up when shifting down from 3rd to 2nd hence why I couldn't shift down, if I give the gear shifter a tiny nudge up, I can shift down......hope that makes sense.

Does anyone know what could cause that or had a similar issue?

Bike: CBF 600 58 Plate

[MarJay]

Lube the gear linkage and check the chain tension. If the chain is too tight then it'll make the gearbox difficult to shift.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[xX-Alex-Xx]

Are you only shifting down into those gears at a standstill? Or do you normally shift down into first before coming to a stop?
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DILLIGAF

[Abaaba]

[Abaaba]

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Abaaba]

[DrSnoosnoo]

I've had this happen some years ago.

You just need to grease up your linkages, not just spraying WD40 at them I'd suggest. Undo them and grease the faces then reassemble.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Nobby the Bastard]

Try releasing the clutch between each change.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Ste]

[MarJay]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[Abaaba]

[Polarbear]

[Ste]

Shifting down through the gears as you're braking helps to slow you down plus if you're going through the gears fast enough to keep the revs high then you'll be able to get the rear wheel to skip.