Nateshap Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Hey all, Just purchased my first bike, I'm loving it. Seem to have run into a few problems though. The gearshift seems to be a little tricky. If I'm in 3rd, and I downshift to second, the shifter stays down, so that when I try and downshift to first, it doesn't have anywhere to go and I don't shift - I'm having to kick it back up to center (and sometimes accidentally upshifting in the process) before I can downshift. It's really hard to find neutral and first for this same reason, which means I'm stalling at stoplights. Any idea what I can do to fix this? I was worried it might be due to rider technique (as I'm a very, very new rider), but a family friend who's been riding for 30+ years has the exact same trouble with it. When it's going, it's great, but I worry that this has the potential to become a safety issue if I don't get it figured out. On a less important note, I'm also sometimes having trouble starting up. The fuel valve has 3 settings - RES, OFF, and PR. I still need to get my hands on a manual, but I'm having to throw the choke out even though it's 65, 70 degrees out, and I think it's related to this (or the fact that I can't get the thing in 1st gear/ neutral that easily and have to squeeze the clutch all the way in just to back it out). I've been using the choke, holding the clutch in with the valve on PR, starting it up and it's fine (although it takes a few tries), but throwing it to OFF after I've started going doesn't stop gas flow to the engine, which makes me think that PR means "to prime" the engine rather than "primary" fuel supply. Can anyone confirm this? Yes, I'm looking around for a manual. I'm thrilled about the bike, but it's going to be difficult to improve on my skill set with the shifter issues. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacha Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 You should post an intro in the New Member section to let everyone know a bit about you. You won't get much help without doing so. Getting the manual is a great idea. You'll be glad you did. As far as the shifter I can't help, but I think you're right that PR is prime. RES is reserve. I usually have to use the choke (they call it a starter injector in my rider's manual) even when the weather here is hot... so that may be normal. ?? If not the folks here will know... and then I'll know something's wrong with my bike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirriePete Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Hi Nathan & welcome to the madhouse.... Gears - sounds like the return spring is a bit 'marginal', is it just 3rd to 2nd or any gear going down? Choke - these engines run quite lean due to all the emissions regs (particularly Stateside variants), so you will probably need choke on for the first startup each day. The fuel tap should say PRI, RES and ON - ON is on, but needs a vacuum from the engine to operate, when the engine is off the valve closes - PRI is Prime, it allows fuel to flow without the engine on and RES is (as has been said) reserve, it's just the bottom inch or so of the fuel in the tank. Normally you would leave the tap in the ON position, there's enough fuel in the carb float bowls to start up enabling the tap to open. PRI is usually only used when you've drained the carbs for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nateshap Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Gears - sounds like the return spring is a bit 'marginal', is it just 3rd to 2nd or any gear going down? It's any gear. It's a lot easier to shift up then down, but it's still a problem. I'll go ride and see if I can't diagnose it more precisely. EDIT: Just took it out, it's starting to become a serious safety issue, getting a little frustrated. If I slow down and I'm not in first, it stalls out, which is normal, but I can't get it in first so I'm constantly stalling, and neutral's really difficult to hit so starting it back up again is tough, and everyone on the road is waiting behind me, and I'm waving them around while I try and figure it out. On the dual sport I learned on I could start it up in first as long as the clutch was in, and I'm trying to do it on this and it's not having it. Not sure if I have the $ to go to a bike shop though, spent half my disposable income on the bike to begin with. It was fine when I tested it out, but now not so much. See if I can't enlist some friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nateshap Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Choke - these engines run quite lean due to all the emissions regs (particularly Stateside variants), so you will probably need choke on for the first startup each day. It's an 82, would the emissions regs back then be as strict? I'm worried it's more of a my bike specific issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nateshap Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Took the whole thing apart with a friend who knows bikes - torsion spring was snapped in half. Now to find the part! Also, my keyboard is covered with a little bike grime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirriePete Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Took the whole thing apart with a friend who knows bikes - torsion spring was snapped in half. Now to find the part! Thought as much - had the same problem with an MZ250 many years ago, I just learned to live with it and tapped the lever up after every downshift .... Also, my keyboard is covered with a little bike grime. You say that like it's a bad thing! My wife refuses to touch my keyboard or my mouse, which is fine by me as it keeps her off ebay and saves us a fortune! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts