1981 Suzuki GS850G sticky shifting.

[Guest]

Okay guys, I have a 1981 GS850G and I'm having some shifting issues. My bike doesn't like to down shift without rpm matching the gears. New clutch last year and I have it adjusted the best I can without clutch slipping and still being able to shift. Clutch plates were good when I put in the new clutch, Not sticking or dragging. Just curious to see if anyone else has run into this. And I do beat the snot of of the bike, by running it up to 9500rpms a lot.

Thanks Colt.

[Burque73]

No clue about your shifting issue but 9500 rpms? I'd be really uncomfortable, like it'd blow a trail of parts all over the road!

[Rijko]

And I do beat the snot of of the bike, by running it up to 9500rpms a lot.

You're going for the Superbike experience !
I did the same thing with an old GS1000, old 1100 Wiseco's and 29mm smoothbores,
loved every minute until i blew the engine.
It's rebuilt now

No clue about your shifting issue but 9500 rpms? I'd be really uncomfortable, like it'd blow a trail of parts all over the road!

David Emde called it a 'spectacular junkpile' 17:00 until 18:00 , great to watch him revving

[Colt45]

Hahaha properly maintained I've had no issues. 10,000 is were it gets sketchy. But when your buddy's got a brand new 103 street glide I have to use all my little Suzuki has to let him know my 1000$ bike still kicks 35,000$ bike asses all day. Illl try to keep it under 9000 from now on. Cruising 70mph I'm turning 5000 rpms for 50 mile stretches. so I know the old girl can take a beating.

[hillsy]

Okay guys, I have a 1981 GS850G and I'm having some shifting issues. My bike doesn't like to down shift without rpm matching the gears. New clutch last year and I have it adjusted the best I can without clutch slipping and still being able to shift. Clutch plates were good when I put in the new clutch, Not sticking or dragging. Just curious to see if anyone else has run into this. And I do beat the snot of of the bike, by running it up to 9500rpms a lot.

Thanks Colt.

Change your type of oil recently? Maybe using synthetic?

[Steve]

Change your type of oil recently? Maybe using synthetic?

I am confused here, and don't want to start an oil war, but are you suggesting that he use synthetic or are you suggesting that maybe synthetic is causing his problem?

For the record, I use synthetic oil in ALL my vehicles. Rotella T6 5w-40 in all the GSes and the Wing, Mobil1 5w-30 and 10w-30 in the cages, only because Rotella is not available in a 30-weight formula.

I have had NO shifting problems with any of my bikes. I have not had any leaks mysteriously show up. And I keep the oil in use longer than most of you would feel comfortable with.

.

[hillsy]

I am confused here, and don't want to start an oil war, but are you suggesting that he use synthetic or are you suggesting that maybe synthetic is causing his problem?

For the record, I use synthetic oil in ALL my vehicles. Rotella T6 5w-40 in all the GSes and the Wing, Mobil1 5w-30 and 10w-30 in the cages, only because Rotella is not available in a 30-weight formula.

I have had NO shifting problems with any of my bikes. I have not had any leaks mysteriously show up. And I keep the oil in use longer than most of you would feel comfortable with.

.

I'm not suggesting anything other than asking if he's recently changed his type of oil. This can sometimes affect wet clutches.

[roeme]

I experienced sticky shifting before my clutch cable gave out. The cables lengthen with every strand that comes apart.

[AMK]

I had the same condition from a po' s heavy duty clutch spring installation.
I replaced them with stock and all is smooth. But I don't consistently run at 9500 rpm's.

[bwringer]

As AMK mentioned, aftermarket clutch springs can cause the clutch to get sticky.

New OEM clutch springs will hold just fine -- you don't need the heavy duty springs. Install a new OEM clutch cable and lever, and it'll be like buttuh.


And as a fellow GS850 flogger, don't worry about your RPM -- these things love to spin; they need to spin. A GS850 above 6,000 rpm is one of motorcycling's more entertaining experiences. You do want to keep it under 10K, though.

[Colt45]

I adjusted the clutch 2 days ago Before going to the dyno. I have the bike all torn apart at the moment. I have heavier springs in it now. I'm going to throw stock springs in it today or tomorrow.