gearbox problems???

[black panther 2002]

hey there, just joined the forum and have found some very helpful hints and tips thus far. most of my questions that i had have been answered save one. i have a 2002 black panther with 11000km on the clock. changing gears, first to second, the gear keeps jumping into neutral. this is quite irritating and dangerous. does anyone know what the problem could be? in desperate need of an answer.

[DEmark]

My '03 Baghira will pop out of 2nd occasionally too. Adjusting the lever a little lower helped, but it's still a little sloppier than it should be. The transmission in my Skorpion worked better. If I had a spare bike to ride when it was down, and a close dealer, I would see if I could get it fixed under warranty. In all likelyhood, I will just ride it till it breaks.....

[keithcross]

This problem is not unheard of. One bike I know of had to have second gear replaced. He did do a lot of second gear wheelies though.
Bike magazine also listed this a a potential problem on its secondhand pages a few years ago. This was for the SZR660 Yamaha that was sold for a while in the UK. SAme engine/gearbox unit though
I have never experienced it in 50,000 kms.

Keith

[DEmark]

I have no doubt that 2nd gear wheelies was a contributing factor in my case......I just hope it doesn't fail while in am in Mexico.....

[phlat65]

mine will go into neutral from 2nd only on a speed shift at WOT. has done it since new. you just have to make sure to fully engage 2nd.

[boysie]

Fitted a taller 1st gear to mine, and that has helped as the jump is obviously smaller,,, but it's still a slow change

[keithcross]

Fitted a taller 1st gear to mine, and that has helped as the jump is obviously smaller,,, but it's still a slow change

So thats why I beat you off the line at the drag meet then. Slow gear changes. Must admit though, once rolloing you baggi with the tuned engine left me for dead.

Keith

[boysie]

Keith, me getting off the line slowly is no fault of the bike, just me day dreaming...... now what should we have for tea anyway!!!

[DAVID THOMPSON]

I drink tea because Bacardi&Coke make me fall down

[Garf]

Yep, mine sometimes jumps out of second when changing up. I am now just more 'positive' with the shift . Also found that if I put off adjusting the chain and let it get a bit too slack this exasperates the problem.

Boysie what is the mod for the taller first gear ?.....the first /second gap (chasm !!) is a bit of a nuisance.

I know some people alter the final drive ratio by dropping a tooth off the front sprocket but I dont think I could live with that as I feel 1st is already too low.

Did Phlat post somewere saying he added a tooth to the front sprocket? I reckon this would probably make 1st more useful / useable but wonder whether it dulls the performance significantly in the higher gears. 1 to 2 gap would still be an issue though.

Cheers

[boysie]

Hi Garf, the tall first gear was just one of the mods that was done while the crank was re-built,, it's not that expensive to do [apart from stipping the motor] and makes for a much more usefull gear ratio, I also have slightly taller gearing, 15/42..

[Garf]

Boysie, was taller first something you sorted yourself using existing Yamaha parts or was it left in the hands of the engine builder ?

You are pulling taller overall gearing with a heavily modded motor (I think I have read that elsewhere on the board) but what are your thoughts on final drive ratio running the standard motor fitted with M4 can and dynojet ?

Unfortunately engine mods etc will have to wait (probably for a long time !!). My next expenditure will be on upgrading the front brake and possibly having the forks rebuilt by a suspension specialist to suit my riding style ........incompetant and ragged !!. I already find the forks bottom too readily with the standard brake and anticipate things will be worse with a 6 potter up front. Sadly the HR doesnt come with the adjustable forks.

Cheers

[boysie]

Hi, yes it was modified by Slipstream Racing, and I think they used Yamaha parts, but don't know what they where out of, it wasnt that expensive, well not compared to the rest of the bill anyway...

I found the standard gearing was perfect for the standard motor with a pipe and jeting, mine would just hit the rev limiter in top [laying on the tank]

[Garf]

Yep, I bet it didnt turn out cheap !!

Having said that Slipsteam certainly have a good reputation, and as in most things in life you gets what you pays for. Fortunately, the bog standard Baggy is generally an exception to that rule

I also feel the overall gearing is about right for the bike in its present trim but I would like to close up the 1 - 2 ratio at some point by getting the taller 1st gear.

Another one for the wish list !!

Cheers

[Garf]

Yep, I bet it didnt turn out cheap !!

Having said that Slipsteam certainly have a good reputation, and as in most things in life you gets what you pays for. Fortunately, the bog standard Baggy is generally an exception to that rule

I also feel the overall gearing is about right for the bike in its present trim but I would like to close up the 1 - 2 ratio at some point by getting the taller 1st gear.

Another one for the wish list !!

Cheers