NGC 78 XL125 doesn't like to down shift

[steven c]

 Most be a Honda person in this group. My 1978 Honda XL125 which had 377 miles on it when bought it with now almost 600! So really a 40 year old brand new bike. When it warms up the shifter acts like it is stuck will not budge unless i pull in the cultch for each down shift. I adjusted the cultch tp specs and also went to both extremes ,no play, lots of play, no difference, changed the oil three times, I'm thinking a clutch plate is sticking somehow. I was going to take a look at it but those wonderful Japanese screws will not budge, even with a impact screw killer. Any thoughts?


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[pete roper]

Sorry? I don't really understand what you're saying the problem is? It won't downshift unless you pull in the clutch? Well while the gears are loaded it is going to be reluctant. Trying to crash it through isn't exactly wise.

If it's some other issue can you expand?

Pete

[oldbike54]

 What Pete said . Also , are you aware those Japanese screws are JIS and require a different bit ?

 Dusty

[Roebling3]

All the above and possibly a warped disc, broken spring/s, misalignment. Can you change gears, up or down, during gear lash? As in engine running, bike rolling in gear, clutch engaged. Change throttle position quickly and gently to cause gear lash. Or: Something remote like rear brake dragging?  R3~   

[steven c]

 Up shifts fine. Let me try again, you come up to a stop sign, braking pull in cultch to down shift to first 5 to 4 to come to a stop,it will not,but not always, shifter does not move unless I pull in the cultch between each gear. I'm not stomping on the lever just normal foot tap.Sorry I'm not a good story teller.

[twowings]

So, if you hold the clutch in can you shift down all the way to N or 1st? or do you have to release/pull in clutch between each downshift?

[oldbike54]

 If I am understanding this correctly , that is normal behavior for those older Japanese transmissions . Try shifting down while still rolling , reverse of upshifting . Most of that gen trans won't let you skip more than one gear either direction , and not at all while sitting still . That is why you are needing to release the clutch between each gear .

 Dusty

[steven c]

 Maybe that's just the way it is. I should have mention while stopped.

[fotoguzzi]

cute little bike!

[oldbike54]

Maybe that's just the way it is. I should have mention while stopped.

 These are sequential gearboxes , that is the way they work .

 Dusty

[chuck peterson]

I found out I can't roll to a stop in 4th or 5th gear on my Honda, have to downshift early and often to get to neutral at a stop...

[Sasquatch Jim]

  So just use the clutch.  They did put it there for a reason I believe.

[steven c]

I found out I can't roll to a stop in 4th or 5th gear on my Honda, have to downshift early and often to get to neutral at a stop...

Must be a Honda thing,I haven't owned one since 1980.
 Chuck are you and the Honda going to be at the Rossi Tiddler?

[TOMB]

You could get a Honda Vert
TOMB

[steven c]

To shiftless for me.

[Muzz]

Steven, by impact screwdriver I am assuming you are referring to the type you whack with a hammer and not a rattle gun?

On the 6 Hondas I have owned all screws have released with the hammer type.

Coming up to an intersection run right through the gears as you pull up. Never did stop in 4th or 5th and then try for neutral.

[steven c]

 Back with a Hammer type. Lets say you made a quick stop in what ever gear you are in, you just can't snick down to get to first, you have to get rolling first. I have over 40 bikes in 40 years and never ran into this even my 72 F7 or 88 XT350 Maybe it is hard to explain because shifting is something I don't think about kind of like walking though I do trip once in a while!

[chuck peterson]

If I stop the Rhonda in an upper gear, I have to downshift once, let the lever out a bit and it'll engage, then repeat till your down to first, all while your stopped and five soccer moms start honking at you...versus downshifting all the way to first while rolling to a stop

Planning on the 400f for the Tiddler Tour...see you this Sunday too?