Zxr750 gear changing problem

[dom141]

Ok so short story is I picked up a zxr750 j1 1991 from round the corner from me last week, knew it was going to have issues because of the price.

Took it out for the first time today. I couldn't get it into first gear so popped into second and headed up the road. And second was all I could get, like it was at the top of the box and there were no other gears to find?

I can get first by lifting the lever really hard but it's a huge clunk (I know the zxr boxes are clunky but not this bad) and then change up into second with a hard push. But after that that's it.

Clutch seems fine, works no problem in first and second so it's not that the clutch isn't engaging.

Am I going to end up stripping the box and rebuilding it?

If so has anyone done it before and can give me some tips?

Also the oil window on the clutch side is clear for once and the oil seems quite murky, not sure if this has anything to do with it.

[RhynoCZ]

Is the gear lever linkage adjusted properly, no excessive free play?
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[dom141]

Have tried adjusting it and hasn't made any difference. Did struggle to adjust it though because the ball joints on the end were very tight.

[RhynoCZ]

I see, I'd start with trying to get the linkage to work properly, it might solve your problem. Splitting the engine to rebuild the gearbox is not complicated, but it does take some time to do so.

By the way, the murky oil wouldn't be much of a concern. I had a ZX7R, that would turn a perfectly clean oil into a dark liquid of some sort in about 5 minutes of idling after a oil change. There was nothing wrong with the bike and other ZXR owner would experience the same thing. I guess I could flush the engine, but then, I never got to it.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Jmh600]

I've had gear change issues in the past due to old engine oil.....

I'd give it a service before doing anything major. Oil and filter change at a minimum.

Could even flush it through with some cheaper oil, before changing it for decent oil and change the filter
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Jmhmotorcycles

[davebike]

Sounds like the clutch is dragging Been out of use some time ??
Fresh oil may sort if not been standing
If been standing it is take the clutch apart time Possible rusty steel plates

Dave
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
[email protected]

[dom141]

Thanks for the advice, will give it an oil and filter change today and see if that helps. It hasn't been standing done 3k miles last year so I know it's been ridden.

[dom141]

All sorted with an oil and filter change its a completely different machine!

[Jmh600]

[MarJay]