Bike can't find second.

Motorcycling
1

Hi all,

Went out for a Xmas day ride before engaging in my turkey coma.
The bike was fine except for it sometimes going into neutral, rather than second.
All the other gears were fine but it went into neutral about 1/3 rd the time when shifting from 1st to 2nd.

I was pretty firm with it- I suspect it need a bit of attention but I’m not sure what.
It is booked in for a service on the 2nd January but is there anything I can do in the meantime.

I am a new biker- never done much mechanically but I’m pretty handy (I build guitars- can think my way through a problem when I know what I am doing).
My bike is a 15 month old Yamaha YBR- still under warranty but I’ve only had it 2 weeks and not 100% sure what I need to do.

Thanks.

2

Check chain tension, check clutch cable adjustment.

3

Clutch cable adjustment … it should just flop to slack loose right at the end of the release and tighten up to firm as soon as you start to pull .Simple adjustment knob is on the lever same as a bicycle brake . Further adjustment often possible at the other end of the cable but it’s rare thats required .

4

Thanks chaps.

5

Did it fall on gear lever side ? Possibly bent gear lever if prior to its fall it was fine

6

Nope- it fell to the other side.
The throttle dug into my car’s boot- but there was no damage to the bike, just the car. :crying:

7

As above check, adjust and lubricate clutch cable and drive chain

2-3 mm play at clutch cable end20 - 35 mm on the drive chain

Check your particular motorcycles workshop manual and specifications before making any adjustments :wink:

8

Tightened the clutch and chain a bit and it is fine now.

Did my first clean and lube today- took a fair while but it is looking and running great.
Thanks for the help, people.