Gear selection probs.Help.

[Neil]

I have the 1GE 1985 model in the uk.
When the engine is cold I can select neutral really easily.Sometimes when the engine is warm and Im slowing down It misses and goes into first.Then I am almost stationary it seems imposible to select neutral.It will again jump passed into secomd.Going up and down a few times will eventually get me the green light,or another way is to kill the engine .Then it gets neutral without fail.
If I select neutral whilst still moving quite quick it goes in no probs.
Then yesterday and for the first time I couldnt get it to go down from second.It would go up no prob and back down to 2nd but not below.
I stopped and turned engine off and it went down into neutral and 1st no probs.I then rode another 20 miles or so and not one single problem at all
Any ideas on where to start looking?

[Linx]

You have clutch drag. Strip the clutch down and check it out. Could be worn fingers on the clutch basket or a warped plate. Just cleaning all the plates might help.

[Neil]

Thanks for the info.Ill have a look at the clutch.

[Luther]

While your looking at the clutch also take a look at the shift detent roller arm at the bottom behind clutch. Get a helper to move the rear wheel back and forth while shifting gears and you watch the detent arm skip across the star wheel on shift drum. The roller should stay in the middle of star wheel. Push and pull on the detent arm to see it doesn't wobble on its pivot enough for the roller to ride to one side of the drum star wheel. Push and pull on both gearbox shafts to check for a little end play, about .01" is good. Thats all I can think of at the moment

[rz500guytexas]

I agree on cleaning possibly helping. What weight oil are you using. I run 50W and forget about shifting till the engine is hot. Need more info on engine also such as mileage. Might just be time for a new clutch and adjust it properly.

[Strokeofgenius]

My rg500 is a pig to get into neutral when hot.Its a well known rg failing.My rd500 started the same shit a couple of years ago ie wont go into neutral when hot.This is not a recognised issue with the rd which has a very sturdy clutch/gearbox.Anyway I put the recommended rg500 gearbox oil into the rd and it cured the dragging clutch issue.Rd500 will now go into neutral no matter how hot it is.Rg not a hope.The oil is silkolene transoil,I strongly recommend it.

[Neil]

Thanks for all your help ,Ill be stripping it this winter and sorting it out.
I went out last Friday for a blast and curiously not one problem with getting neutral!!!!

[rz500guytexas]

Just like an old body, use it or loose it. Replace the clutch. Be sure to soak the plates before installing.