Transmission problems 83GS750E

[Tntharper]

Need some help in diagnosing a problem. This bike was recently revived after sitting idle for 15 years; the odometer did not work so no idea how many miles on it. Engine compression is fair but not great. After working through all the years of neglect, the engine now runs pretty good and I have been riding it for about a month now. However it shifts with some difficultly and every once in a while it would not shift to the next gear or it would “pop” out of gear. I would just shift up or down again and it would change to the next gear. This weekend it stuck in fourth gear and only after several minutes of trying to down shift was I able to continue. It would shift up to and fifth and down to fourth with no problems. But it would not go into third. Eventually after a few minutes, it clicked into third and off I went. It did this several more times before I could return home.

I am thinking third or fourth gear has finally worn-out and perhaps the entire transmission is near the end of it’s life. Have any of you had this issue and can confirm this idea or is this something else?

Thanks, Troy

[Nicholaschase29]

have you changed the oil? Maybe try a synthetic blend or full synthetic. I noticed a big difference when i switched to a blend from regular oil. Watch out though because the synthetic stuff cleans out dirt which may be stopping oil leaks now.

[chef1366]

Since it sat for so long I would change the oil and filter every 500 miles three times and let all the crap work it's way out. If there still is a problem you have either bent shifter forks (easy fix) or bad dogs on the tranny. (split cases fix )

[Carter Turk]

My friend had a 83 750 ES with similar issues. We split the cases and discovered it was a $3 spring accessible fron the oil pan on the engine. It attached to the webbing on the lower case half, and if I remember correctly, it attached to the shift drum. Might be worth a check before tearing the whole motor apart.

[bonanzadave]

Might be worth a check before tearing the whole motor apart.

Heres another quick item to check. The shifter arm on the solid shaft. If that arm siezes on the shaft it screws up everything. Theres a snap ring on the end of the shaft. Take it off and lube the shaft. Then lube the shift linkage going fwd to the tranny. It helped my shifting alot.

[Tntharper]

Thanks for your help! You folks are the best.

Here is what I found, I removed the oil pan and found the remains of the spring the Carter told me about. Yahoo!!!

The new spring is on-order and I hope to be riding again next weekend. Hope to see you on the road.

[TheCafeKid]

Ahh, a non case splitting happy ending Isnt it WONDERFULL?? Incidentally, I have owned quite a few UJMs over the years, and some ive ridden the living crap out of. NEVER ONCE have I had a serious transmission problem out of one of them. I like to think our Zooks are the sturdiest bikes from the eras, but I have to say that all of the bikes *I* have ridden have pretty solid transmissions in them. YMMV, but aside from those that I have read/heard are prone to spitting out thrust washers, gear dogs or whatever, Ive not met one that did me wrong. Now, top ends on the other hand...