Gearbox woes

[Blue_SV650S]

Rode the bike as normal, parked up. Got back on the bike, started and rode off, but the gearbox only selects 1st, 2nd and neutral as normal, it refused to go into 3rd (or higher obviously), the gear leaver was acting as if I had hit 6th i.e. I get a solid leaver as if I am at the top of the gearbox.

No horrible noises, no missing gears, just refuses to go higher than 2nd.

Ideas?
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[G]

What bike?

Does it have a linkage?

I had pretty much the same on a J zx6r which turned out to be a dirty linkage.

Changed find by hand on a paddock stand, but felt like you describe riding.

Very odd. Few sprays of WD40 and it was fine.

[Blue_SV650S]

The old SV650

It was not like the gear was hard to find, it was 'solid' and not going up - but 1st, neutral and 2nd worked perfectly normally with no horrible feel or noises. Clearly if I can move the leaver from 1st to 2nd there is no leaver reason why I shouldn't be able to get 3rd and above.

I did leave a bit of info out to see what people had to say first ... I removed the leaver and linkages so I could get some mole-grips on the gear-change shaft; same symptoms. So it deffo wasn't worn linkage problem.

The final bit of information is that I put the bike on a paddock stand, selected 2nd gear and bounced/forced/span the rear wheel back and forth rapidly by hand whilst applying a rude amount of pressure back and forth on the mole-grips and it eventually went into 3rd (and above).

All gears are now selectable but gotta say I am nervous to ride it! (did test ride slowly round the block, but I mean continue to ride it as before).
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[G]

Ah well.

Mine did feel like that - really weird as it was just from dirty linkages.

Well, think I've got a curvey SV650 engine for sale if it's all gone horribly wrong!

[Blue_SV650S]

My concern is that if it goes 'horribly wrong' when whatever it was rears its head again in a more sinister way than just refusing to select gears i.e. the gearbox locks up solid on me at speed/inopportune moment!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[Pete.]

These are the bits that make the shift drum turn:

https://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/shop/online-store/suzuki-parts-finder/sv/sv650/x-y-k1-k2-1999-2002.htm#!sv650xgearshift

First thing I would do is pull the clutch cover and see how much of it is visible. Check the cam plate is not coming loose and the condition of the pawl hooks and pins. Operate the gear change and watch for anything unusual. Pay particular attention to the 2nd-3rd shift, is the drum trying to turn slightly under the lever operation or is it stuck solid?
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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

[RhynoCZ]

When was the last time you changed the oil? Sometimes, fresh oil helps with gearbox issues.
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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

[Paddy Blake]

If you do need to take it apart file down the shaft you put the
mole-grips on or it will reck the seal.

My guess would be selector drum and lack of oil change.

[Blue_SV650S]