Suzuki van van (RV125) gearbox?

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

hey bcf, my suzuki van van has been riding like a dream without a single hitch until recently when it's started acting up in second gear, all the others work absolutely fine but second gear has now become associated with lurches, loud bangs and the bike revving it's tits off. I am about as mechanically minded as a house brick and haven't a clue what on earth is going on. Can someone please help? Thanks! Smile

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

I had a similar problem with my chinese 125cc, tried to go from 1st to 2nd and made noises and felt like I was hitting the roof of the gearbox meanwhile revving sky high.

Although they're different bikes I solved my problem (the majority of, still happens now and then) by changing the position of the gear shifter down a little.

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

Okay thanks! I'll get at that when I get home from work tonight Smile

if I can figure it out that is...

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

It may or may not solve the issue my technical knowledge is limited.

Only other problem I've had with the cold weather was setting of on my usual commute from work, bike took longer than expected to warm up made a horrible sound (was only my first shift, warmed up on the move and rode fine).

Hopefully a simple fix but others may have more technical suggestions, a simple one to try and eliminate from the list however.

Might be of use;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twW0ClpyLKc

(I had a mechanic do mine, so unable to share experience, looks easy enough).

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

It's definitely warming up enough because I stand and have a cigarette with the engine running before setting off, then it's about 3 miles of traffic lights and 30 zones before I can actually get going, but cheers for the video, I'll give it a watch in a bit.

Taught2BCauti... · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Karma :

If you are getting close to an oil change, it might be worth draining the oil to see if any crunchy bits come out with it.
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finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

Why? What does crunchy stuff in the oil mean? Confused

I think I'm going to borrow my dad's garage at the weekend and get him to help me strip the gearbox.

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

I always change oil and filter in a pair anyway so I'll do that this weekend, but I'll get the cover off before then and check to see how dirty it is in there (I have a feeling it'll be rank as I've never cleaned it out) I might as well get some new sprockets too. *sigh* no pub for me!

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

I just go in the local motorcycle shop and get it bought in for me, parts are cheap enough Smile

Major Doss · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Karma :

A bike shop* owner regaled me recently of 'another bike shop' that fiddled with a bolt adjacent to drain plug whilst changing oil on a VV, which stuffed up the gear change...

*anecdotally, of course Wink

Major Doss · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Karma :

A bike shop* owner regaled me recently of 'another bike shop' that fiddled with a bolt adjacent to drain plug whilst changing oil on a VV, which stuffed up the gear change...

*anecdotally, of course Wink

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

With my complete lack of knowing what on earth anything does I think it's highly likely I've done this also.

pdg · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Karma :

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

I'm aware it's a large undertaking to strip the gearbox (hence the involvement of my father) what would you think is going on then? As you don't think it's any of the above.

pdg · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Karma :

It could just be the oil needs changing, but I'd be counting on it being much more than that.

By saying 'lurching and revving it's tits off' I'm assuming you mean it feels like it's going in and out of gear - like you open the throttle and it'll rev, then a bang, then it pulls, then it might bang again and rev freely, then another bang/crunch before it pulls again...

As it's second, you might be lucky and just not fully engaging the gear due to shifter adjustment, technique, etc - it's not unknown for people to change how much pressure they apply to the shift lever as they get used to the bike.

If you're unlucky it could the shift drum/dogs worn out, you may have lost some teeth off a couple of gears - there's a lot of parts in a gearbox...

The first thing to do is drain the old oil out - get a cheapy poundland kitchen sieve and let the oil run through that as you drain it out (so much easier than swishing round in dirty oil looking for bits) and if you have one, put a small magnet in the sieve first.

If nothing comes out except oil, put new in and go for a gentle ride, go a bit overboard with shifting up - decent foot pressure and see if the problem persists.

If you get lumps or a lot of swarf in the old oil - make sure to post pics so people can ~~point and laugh~~ advise what the lumps might have come from.
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Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

I'm pretty heavy footed with the gear change as I'm sure the gearbox was designed for a tractor. I don't kick the shit out of it though because I worry that'd break it. But I'll be sure to get pictures for your amusement Wink

But yeah that's exactly what's happening so I just hope it's not anything serious Sad

and yeah if it's missing teeth and whatnot I'd not be surprised it's an ex CBT bike after all.

pdg · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Karma :

It's not kicking - it's firm steady pressure, you're not trying to steal it's lunch money...

If it's been used for many CBTs, chances are it's been kicked a fair few times though amongst other abuse.

Hopefully it'll just be old oil causing the machanism to not move as smoothly as it should.
____________________
Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

That's what I'm doing, and yeah it did loads of them. Hopefully it's just old oil but I'll update as soon as I know.

Iain. · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 04 Dec 2014 Karma :

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

Chains nice and tight. I commute 30 miles each way to work so I habitually check it on arrival and departure to and from everywhere I go.

Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

finchy95 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Jan 2015 Karma :

It's got a little over an inch with me sat on it. Which agrees with everything I've heard about it. Sound right to you?

Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

oh that's ok, sounded like you'd tightened it right up
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